Profile piece

Definition

A profile piece is a type of feature story that provides an in-depth look at a person, capturing their personality, background, and achievements through detailed descriptions and narratives. This format emphasizes storytelling, often blending factual reporting with literary techniques to create a vivid picture of the subject, making it compelling for readers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Profile pieces often include interviews with the subject and those close to them, providing multiple perspectives that enrich the storytelling.
2. The writing style in a profile piece tends to be more descriptive and engaging compared to standard news articles, aiming to evoke emotions and create connections with the reader.
3. These pieces can focus on public figures, everyday heroes, or even ordinary individuals who have unique stories worth telling.
4. Profile pieces often reveal insights into the subject's motivations, struggles, and personal journey, helping to humanize them in the eyes of the audience.
5. In long-form journalism and magazine writing, profile pieces serve to highlight cultural trends or societal issues through the lens of individual experiences.

Review Questions

• What elements are essential in crafting a compelling profile piece that distinguishes it from traditional news reporting?
  • A compelling profile piece includes elements such as in-depth interviews, rich descriptions, and a narrative style that engages readers. Unlike traditional news reporting which focuses on delivering facts succinctly, a profile piece immerses readers in the subject's world through storytelling techniques. This may involve highlighting personal anecdotes, emotional moments, and contextual details that provide deeper insight into the subject's life and experiences.
• Analyze how profile pieces can contribute to long-form journalism by exploring broader social themes through individual stories.
  • Profile pieces contribute to long-form journalism by using individual narratives to illuminate larger social themes and issues. By focusing on one person's life experiences, these pieces can reflect societal trends, challenges, or values. For example, a profile on a community leader might not only tell their personal story but also address issues such as community development or social justice, making it relatable and thought-provoking for readers.
• Evaluate the impact of narrative techniques in profile pieces on reader engagement and understanding of complex subjects.
  • Narrative techniques in profile pieces significantly enhance reader engagement and understanding by transforming complex subjects into relatable stories. By weaving character-driven narratives with rich details and emotional arcs, writers can draw readers into the lives of their subjects. This approach not only makes the content more interesting but also helps readers connect with intricate themes on a personal level, fostering empathy and encouraging deeper contemplation of the issues at hand.

Related terms

Feature Story: A feature story is a longer piece of journalism that explores a topic in depth, often focusing on human interest aspects rather than just presenting hard news.

Narrative Journalism: Narrative journalism involves telling news stories with the narrative techniques of fiction, emphasizing character development, dialogue, and description.

Character Sketch: A character sketch is a brief description of a person's qualities and traits, often used as part of a profile piece to give readers insight into the subject's personality.