Human interest

Definition

Human interest refers to stories that appeal to emotions and focus on the experiences of individuals, often highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and personal journeys. These stories aim to connect with the audience on a deeper level by showcasing relatable human experiences, making them compelling and memorable. Human interest can be effectively utilized in interviews, feature stories, and editorial decisions to emphasize the human side of news and storytelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Human interest stories are often characterized by their focus on personal narratives rather than just facts or statistics, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the subject matter.
2. These stories can arise from interviews that capture the subject's unique perspective and personal experiences, making them relatable to the audience.
3. In feature writing, human interest elements can transform a mundane topic into an engaging story by weaving in personal anecdotes and emotional resonance.
4. Editorial judgment often incorporates human interest criteria when selecting stories to ensure coverage includes diverse voices and experiences that resonate with readers.
5. Human interest pieces can serve as powerful tools for advocacy by highlighting social issues through the lens of individual experiences, inspiring empathy and action among audiences.

Review Questions

• How does human interest enhance the effectiveness of interviews in storytelling?
  • Human interest enhances interviews by shifting the focus from mere facts to the personal stories of individuals. This approach allows interviewers to draw out emotional narratives that resonate with audiences, making the content more engaging. When interviews emphasize personal struggles or achievements, they create a connection that encourages empathy and understanding from readers or viewers.
• In what ways do human interest elements contribute to the development of compelling feature stories?
  • Human interest elements are essential in crafting compelling feature stories as they provide depth and relatability. By incorporating emotional narratives and personal anecdotes, writers can transform standard news items into engaging narratives that captivate readers. These elements help illustrate broader themes or issues through individual experiences, allowing audiences to connect with the story on a more personal level.
• Evaluate how editorial judgment influences the selection of human interest stories and their potential impact on public perception.
  • Editorial judgment plays a critical role in choosing which human interest stories are highlighted within media outlets. Editors consider factors such as relevance, emotional impact, and diversity of voices when selecting these stories. This decision-making process can significantly shape public perception by prioritizing certain narratives over others, ultimately influencing how audiences understand social issues and the experiences of individuals within those contexts. By spotlighting specific human interest pieces, media can foster empathy or drive social change among their audience.

Related terms

Feature Story: A feature story is a longer article that explores a particular topic or individual in depth, often using narrative techniques to engage readers and provide detailed insights.

Profile: A profile is a specific type of feature story that focuses on an individual, providing a detailed account of their life, accomplishments, and personality to give readers a deeper understanding of who they are.

Emotional Appeal: Emotional appeal refers to a persuasive technique used in storytelling that seeks to elicit an emotional response from the audience, drawing them into the narrative and creating a connection.