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WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?:Meeting demands of readers

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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
LESSON 04
WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?
A feature bears close similarities with the news-story, as it gives the readers facts in an interesting form,
and is framed and adapted to rapid reading. As compared to a news-story, a feature is expanded beyond
the basic fact rather is fully supplemented with greater information. A feature usually covers all the
underlying causes as well as the background of the news-story.
From the study of the nature and definition of a feature, we may deduce the prominent and major analytic
features and characteristics, which make a good feature.
Compose collected material and data efficiently
Another basic characteristic and attribute of a good feature is to compose collected material and data
efficiently. The underlying point is the skill and ability to write clearly, accurately and with imaginative
appeal. It should adopt a style of writing commensurate with the public genius and popular consciousness
to make it a delectable and entertaining piece of prose. It should be simple, idiomatic and commonly
intelligible to absorb the attention of the readers generally.
Facts and figures
A feature must know the importance of correct facts and figures. It must be realised that there is
nothing, which could be substantiated sans facts and figures. And there must be nothing divorced
from reality.
The features should be based on facts and figures, whose accuracy should not be questioned. Their
accuracy should be consolidated and unquestionable.
Besides this, features should be characterised with thoroughness, complete in all respects as to be readily
understandable and not lacking in any phase. Features are understood to be composed and designed to
convey a sense of completeness in its contents and the intended message.
The subjects of the features are usually derived from the news-stories originating in the society. The facts
should be sifted through wide reading, research and thorough investigation, with close touch to human
interest. Only those feature writers will hold interest of their readers, whose features are based on facts,
complete in all respects, thoroughness and clarity as well as accuracy.
A feature must research more facts, because he has enough time at his disposal. Features may be planned
in advance in such a way that they are published at the time of some important events, for example,
inauguration of some project or exhibition, Republic Day or Independence Day, anniversary etc. When a
feature is published in this way to coincide with some events, its value and importance increases greatly.
Meeting demands of readers
A good and experience feature writer always keeps before him the demands of the readers, which
warrants him a careful thinker and a sincere person, who give full weight to the basic elements of truth
and accuracy. It implies that he should be well-read man, willing to consult the standard publications and
books and work methodically by keeping the data and material in proper manner. He should be ready to
work hard willing in a business-like manner and not subject to a mood, or inspiration. They are generally
equipped with the proper initiative. He should be mentally alert and prepared to find out the ideas and
material, with a keen sense for his subjects and inspiring materials.
Instruct and Entertain
It must tell the reader how to go about certain things mentioned in the subject of feature!
Without the inspiration, enthusiasm and confidence into the readers, the objectives of feature articles will
be nullified. The features are meant to arouse noble feelings among the readers to think loftily about their
social, cultural, economic and political establishments and allied problems and ailments.
Features should be aimed at creating zeal to think about their national problems, and to take practical part
in the campaigns to solve them, and in mobilising the other forces. In short, features not only mobilise the
public opinion, but also motivate them to think sympathetically and patriotically about their local,
provincial and national problems.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
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Sometimes the feature writers take up light articles in order to match the generally depressing contents of
the newspapers. As understood, news-stories are commonly impersonal, unattractive, bare facts, which do
not absorb the attention of the readers generally. In view of this context, some feature writers adopt the
light articles, which are eagerly sought. Therefore, these lightly written articles provide amusement and
entertainment. Some of these feature writers become very popular with their readers who eagerly wait for
their articles, which may come once or twice a week. These feature writers can even amuse and entertain
their readers by writing about very commonplace subjects like domestic problems, problems of the
newly-weds, husband and wife problems, personal crisis of mankind etc. There is no doubt that the least
attended subject as a feature is always a good piece of journalism.
To achieve this, some feature writers take up another type of feature called the 'Personality Column', who
filter the news through the mesh of their own personalities to give it an individual touch. Sometimes,
these feature writers also give an idiosyncratic slant to their features.
These features are written regarding politics or some at other subjects. Generally, these features are
written in a very light vein. Some of these features are social or political satires and have sarcasm.
Keen observation
A realisation that from nearly every news event usually at least one feature story can be written
Another cardinal characteristic of a good feature is the keen sense of observation to detect those
interesting points, which usually escape the eyes of a common man. The writer should be a man to
possess the ability and to have a keen nose to sense the matters of interest around his environment,
particularly the social set-up in which he resides permanently. Without, the keenness and curiosity, his
feature shall not be able to find out the matters of common interest, and nor shall it be able to share that
interest.
Written off-the-cuff
Sometimes, features may have to be written without much notice. For example, if some event of great
importance takes place either in a foreign country or in one's own country, then a feature may have to be
written quickly. Recently, an intense earthquake struck and caused colossal loss of life and property in the
AJK and adjoining areas, a number of feature articles appeared in several newspapers. The subject was
dealt with in details, pointing out how the earthquake takes place, the destruction caused by an earthquake
and the research for methods of predicting earthquakes etc.
Human interest
Another characteristic of features is human interest or human value. This is a very popular source of
writing articles. Such features can be written on ever-green subjects like health family, the equality
between men and women, industry, economics etc. Now-a-days, many newspapers and magazines are full
of features on freedom of the sex and other sexual practices. Features regarding the private lives of past
and present important personalities, film stars etc., also quite popular. Many features have been written on
the subject of divorce and its consequences.
Divergent subjects
The writing of a controversial feature itself starts a very heated debate either through subsequent articles
or through letters to the editor, criticising or appreciating the feature.
Features are also written on certain social, cultural and economic problems which have aroused
considerable public interest, for example the juvenile delinquency, deteriorating law and order situation,
increased in eve incidents, daylight robberies, gold chain snatching and ladies purse snatching etc.
Sometimes, through these features a sort of running debate goes on in the press supporting or opposing a
particular subject.
Constructive approach
Features include the elements of constructive and reformatory approach, criticism, commentary, hard
facts and events, statistical data, opinions and suggestions etc., which become naturally the centre of
readers' attention. Feature even points out the corrupt elements in the various departments as well as the
black sheep, and subject them to some extent of accountability.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
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Meeting demands of the readers
In the present age, the newspapers and the periodical cannot ignore the likes and dislikes, requirements,
demands of the public psychology. Long articles with drab heaps of information, facts and figures are not
consistent with the popular temperaments. That is the key of the success of the features as well as the
papers. People like simple narrative and direct address to them. Viewed from the above context, feature
appears the only branch of journalism, which provides entertainment, instruction and education, interest
to the people.
Attractive headlines
Features are based usually on the news-stories, whereas the news originates from the happenings in the
society. Another demand of the feature is its attractive headlines, which add to the beauty of the feature as
well as attract the attention of the readers. The main element in the headline is its dramatic style, fashion
and mood and suspense therein.
Suitability of style, form and content
Nothing must be beyond acceptable norms though style should be there, and nothing deliberately done in
order to impress readers. Form must be accompanied by the well-constructed and maintained content,
which must be to the point and concerning the issue being discussed.
Using divergent tools
A news-story and a feature also differ as towards its contents, structure and form. A news-story is a
somewhat a business-like matter to be disposed of in a business-like manner in a traditional and
conventional form and structure. Whereas, a feature is written off-the-track manner, in an unconventional
manner, keeping in view the psyche of the people and in commonly understood language and idiom.
The news-story is written in a cold and logical manner, whereas a feature is designed to appeal to the
emotions and passions of the people. In a feature, commonly-understood and simple language is used, and
all the relevantly useful elements of dramatic are utilized to the full extent.
Guidance
Tell the reader how to react to certain situations, and how he must be thinking while considering a
particular aspect of life or society. The feature must be considering it an obligation that it should guide the
reader by telling him what is the issue besides sympathising with the reader's situation if appropriate.
Summarise any actions required of your readers, and any follow up action items required of you for them.
The objectives of a news-story are basically to communicate inform but the basic and bare facts; whereas
a feature aims at instruction, information, knowledge besides missionary objectives for the improvement
of morals and betterment of the lot of the people.
A feature may include in its study of the subject; all the information, background of the matter, or the
causes ascribed to a particular event. A news-story usually has to be subjected to the strict demands of the
dead line, in other words, a reporter has limited time to dispose of the news-story, whereas a feature
writer has ample time at his disposal and has not to necessarily meet a deadline.
Criticism and comments
Criticism and comments bring to focus what you want to highlight, which is done by bringing in
knowledge to give satisfaction through knowledge. Interestingly, it never means the feature is divorced
from reality, as it is based on facts and actual events.
A feature usually aims at imparting and delivering the desired effect, instruction, guidance as well as
entertainment to all the readers, including those who are already well-aware of the facts and figures of the
subject and those who happen to examine and peruse the subject for the first time.
Common and personal problems
Something related to `me' interests me more ­ is the principle for bringing the society under focus besides
highlighting national and international scenarios.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
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Pictorial importance
A feature must never ignore the importance of charts and maps, as a full page sans any pictures looks dull
and drab. Pictures and related material arouse readers' interest instead of full page without pictures, which
bores the readers. For this purpose, bullets and blocks can be used.
Literary style
A feature must be written in good language and must carry the value of a literary style coupled with
creative writing; otherwise the feature can become trite or boring.
Novelty
This comes through difference in content and pictures with the supporting information and examples. It
must be kept in mind how these relate to your readers.
Simplicity
Simplicity in presenting facts should be along with the understandable language to the reader.
Emphasis on layout
Features generally engross the attention of the readers from the very beginning to the end. Moreover
special emphasis is laid on its best possible layout, make-up, pictures, and highlights, and are allotted
special and prominent place in the papers.
A nicely written feature always deserves a prominent place in a newspaper. Of course, a good feature
should have an interesting beginning, a captivating middle and a worth remembering ending.
Logical results and conclusions
There is nothing, which could be considered as good journalism when it is not based on logic and reality.
A feature must have a strong conclusion with pragmatic thinking working behind that. The conclusions
round out the feature by linking up the conclusion with the beginning.
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Table of Contents:
  1. IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE:Feature writing, Explanation of the definition
  2. SOURCES OF MATERIAL:Commemorations, Science and Technology
  3. INTERNET USAGE IN FEATURE WRITING:Be very careful, Website checklist
  4. WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?:Meeting demands of readers
  5. DEMANDS OF A FEATURE:Entertainment and Interest, Both sides of picture
  6. CONDUCTING AND WRITING OF INTERVIEWS:Kinds of interviews
  7. WRITING NOVELTY INTROS:Punch or astonisher intros, Direct quotation intros
  8. STRUCTURE OF FEATURES:Intro or Lead, Transition, Body
  9. SELECTION OF PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS:Sources
  10. FEATURES AND EDITORIAL POLICY:Slanting or angling feature
  11. HUMAN INTEREST AND FEATURE WRITING:Obtaining facts, Knowing how to write
  12. NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY:The Business Story, The Medical Story
  13. THE NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY IDEA:Conflict, Human interest
  14. MAGAZINE FEATURE VERSUS DAILIES:Feature versus Editorial, An overview
  15. WRITING THE SPECIALISED FEATURE STORY:The Deadline Feature Sidebar
  16. MODERN FEATURE AND ITS TREATMENT:Readers’ constraints
  17. MODERN FEATURE WRITING TECHNIQUE:The Blundell Technique
  18. ADVICE TO FEATURE WRITERS:A guide to better writing, Love Writing
  19. COLUMN WRITING:Definition, Various definitions, Why most powerful?
  20. COLUMN WRITING IN MODERN AGE:Diversity of thought, Individuality
  21. ENGLISH AND URDU COLUMNISTS:More of anecdotal, Letting readers know
  22. TYPES OF COLUMNS:Reporting-in-Depth Columns, Gossip Columns
  23. OBJECTIVES AND IMPORTANCE OF COLUMNS:Friendly atmosphere, Analysis
  24. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS AND BASIC POINTS THAT GO IN TO THE FORMING OF A COLUMN?
  25. STYLE:General and a specialised writing, How can a columnist improve it?
  26. GENERAL STYLE OF THE COLUMN:Unified Style, Anecdotal Style, Departmental Style
  27. STRUCTURE OF A COLUMN:Intro or lead, Main body, Conclusion
  28. COLUMN WRITING TIPS:Write with conviction, Purpose, Content
  29. SELECTION OF A TOPIC:Close to your heart, Things keeping in Queue
  30. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN WRITER:Personal, Professional, Highly Educated
  31. WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?:Pleasantness, Fluency
  32. SOURCES OF MATERIAL OF COLUMNS:Constant factors, Interview
  33. USEFUL WRITING DEVICES:Be specific, Use Characterisation, Describe scenes
  34. COMMON WRITING PROBLEMS:Eliminate clichés, Don’t misuse words
  35. WRITING THE COLUMN:Certain thumb rules, After writing the column
  36. ARTICLE WRITING:Introduction, Definition, Contents, Main Segments, Main body
  37. HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?:It is more efficient, It is more believable
  38. TYPES AND SUBJECTS OF ARTICLE:Interview articles, Utility articles
  39. FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS:Use Key Words
  40. ARTICLES WRITING MISTAKES:Plagiarising or 'buying articles, Rambling
  41. WRITING THE ARTICLE:Various parts of article, The topic sentence
  42. What to do when you have written the article?:Writing the first draft
  43. TEN STANDARD ARTICLE FORMATS:The informative articles
  44. LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WRITERS:Libel, Doctoring Quotes
  45. REVISION:Importance of language, Feature writing, Sources of material