A feature is an in-depth analysis of a subject. It is an article in a news website, a magazine, a newspaper to give a detailed analysis on a particular topic and it is not meant to report breaking news. It is a personal perspective of a writer and it is usually longer than a news article. A specialist, known as feature writer, writes it and also provides a background of the story.
Characteristics of a Feature:
The primary purpose of a feature is to entertain a reader but it might be written to inform, instruct, and advise too. There is no specific word limit of a feature but the information should be factual. Features can be written on a contemporary topic as well as on any old story. However, if it is written on a current topic, it appeals more to the readers. There is no defined form and style for a feature but the form and style should be appropriate to the content and purpose of the story.
Types of Features:
The few types of features are discussed here in detail.
Personality Sketches:
Personality Sketches are written on a famous personality that is widely applauded and loved by the masses. It is based on the observations on interviews and creative writing is adopted to elucidate a lucid picture of a personality. An example of Personality Sketch can be a feature on the personal life of Angela Merkel (chancellor of Germany).
Human Interest Stories:
Human interest story encompasses all the topics of humans’ interest any shown by its name. It is written to enlighten the oddity of a subject and its practical, entertaining, and emotional values. The length of this type of feature is usually short and averages between 75 and 100 words. It can be written on almost everything that interests humans; persons, animals, place, etc.
Informative Feature Writing:
This kind of feature does not use many devices of a feature, for its purpose to inform people on a particular topic. So, it is made sure that information is important instead of the devices used in a feature. Such features include multiple topics like traditions, customs, curricula, universities, etc.
Interpretative Feature:
As shown by the name; interpretative features instruct, inform, and discuss background of the topic. There are few topics that are written under the umbrella of interpretative features. These topics are social issues, economic issues, political issues, and other problems faced by masses in their daily lives.
Comprehensive News Feature:
Comprehensive news features are mostly written on current news and developments. The issues that are usually trending are the hot favorite of such features. One thing that distinguishes these features from the news story is that these features are written after doing wide research on a topic and provides the readers with novel dimensions of the topic. In the current scenario, the Coronavirus is the best topic for writing comprehensive news feature.
Popularized Scientifics Features:
These features are written on the scientific inventions, scientific developments, and other science-related subjects. The sole purpose of such features is to lessen the gap between the masses and science. It is difficult for the normal public to understand the jargon of science; so a feature written enlightens the knowledge of the general public on difficult topics of science in a very easy language.
Bright Stories:
Bright stories are short and compact stories and contain a humorous and peculiar aspect. Such stories follow anecdotal style and climax at the end. The technique of suspended interest is used in it. It can be a narrative story of one’s personal experience or on an old revelation of the story from the past.
Sidebar Features:
Sidebar feature is a story that is related to any news or a story in the same edition of a paper, or magazine. Let’s say that a sidebar on the 9/11 tragedy. Sidebar on 9/11 can be the interviews or stories of the relatives of the casualties or the people who witnessed this havoc.
