Clarify what type of feature you are writing, then consult Harrower Pp. 116-123 for information on style and structures.
Most features follow these guidelines:
- Show, don't tell, writing.
- Describe people in action, using scene-setting.
- Quote sources liberally. Secondary sources can be effective as primary sources in features.
- Memories can be strong scene-setting.
- Your writer's voice is encouraged, but the star of your piece should be your subject. Resist all temptation to become a character in your story. DON'T drop in lines or paragraphs of unattributed opinion.
- Include a news peg (or nut graph) within the first few paragraphs. The news peg should explain why you are writing this story at this time.
- Blend necessary biography and background into the piece, but not before the "so-what" angle. This info is known in the business as BBI (boring but important), so craft your use of it.
- Unlike the news story, the ending matters. Consider ending with a circle kicker, or a fact or quote that circles back to the beginning of the story.