Feature
Feature
Feature
3. Timeliness 4. Length 5. Use of words 6. Use of sentences 7. Paragraph 8. Use of literary devices
Timely Short Simple precise, concrete Short, simple, 15-25 words average No topic sentence, one idea, one paragraph Journalistic, direct to the point, no idioms, figures of speech Uses adjectives sparingly; opinion, never Lead, (Bridge), Body
Timely Around 300 words (2000 computer characters) Simple, forceful, direct May be longer With topic sentence, longer Journalistic, direct to the point, may use idioms, figures of speech if properly handled Adjectives used freely; primarily opinion Introduction (newspeg, reaction), body, conclusion (clincher) Follows style-sheet, newspaper style Hypothesis, arguments/stand on issue, conclusion Shorter (at most three words)
13. Title/Headline
14. Kinds
Note: Sports News is not included since this special news article combines News, Feature and Editorial precepts. daily across the small brook.
At home, you sit down and focus your thoughts on the old gnarled ferryman and study the odds and ends about him on your notepad. You organize your material and determine your focus of interest. Then, you begin to write your story: REGIE Zabalacheng has the loneliest job in town. Each day, he ferries hundreds of people across the Iloilo stream, but no one bothers to say hello, or even give a friendly wave. Sabalacheng, 68, of 70 Lopez Jaena Street, Iloilo City, has been at his job for 40 solitary years. Nobody ever pays attention to me except to give me the two peso-fare after I get them safely across the river. I know them all by face because I see them every day but I dont know their names, Zabalacheng said with a cynical grin, I guess they dont know mine either. Its not a bad job, but it sure gets lonely. The story continues with more quotes from Zabalacheng, a description of his appearance and mannerisms, anecdotes from his 40-year career, and his family. Youve got a feature story.
I EARN while I learn. He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. How can you work, have a part-time job as an exotic dancer, and at the same time go to school? I asked. Well, it is easy, she explained. I dont do all of these at the same time. 5. An old maxim, an aphorism or a salawikain TUBIG, tubig sa lahat ng dako, ngunit kahit isang patak ay walang maiinom. Itong siniping sabi ni Samuel Coleridge sa tulang The Ancient Mariner na wala nang bisa ngayon. Kahit na tubig na galing sa baha ay maiinom na. Paano? Ganito ang paraan. 6. History or background of the subject ISLAMS throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers observe the holy month of Ramadan, starting Sept. 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is observed by Muslims as the Lenten Season is commemorated by Christians. 7. Problems to be discussed in the article of fact to be established THIS IS the answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own.
5. the skill to weave words into interesting sentences and paragraphs 6. the ability to write effectively 7. the attitude to think first before writing and to show (suggest), not tell, things
Feature Example
Topic: Abortion COME TO me, Mama. Come, touch me and feel my pain. Dont be afraid now, Mama. You werent when you killed me. Here, touch this can you feel it now, Mama? The excruciating pain that consumed my helpless body? You inflicted that, remember? Look at my body, now a mass of rotting flesh and coagulated blood. The dregs of what was a tiny human body. A body that was soft with a tiny head matted with a sheen of baby hair. A tiny body with a tiny heart that pulsated in time with yours. These were my fingers and ohh!... Heres my thumb which I sucked while snugly tucked inside you. You see, I had long lashes just like Dads. My sensitive mouth was just like yours. And here are my ears that heard your quickening heartbeat when youre afraid. I could have been a wonderful child if youve let me live. I could have been baby boy, just what Daddy wanted. A strong, healthy and bubbly bundle in your arms. My hypersensitiveness would have exasperated you. Daddy? Hmmm He could have coached me in playing basketball. Hell be the passer and I am the shooter. I could have grown into a writer. You would be proud of me coz Im gonna join contests. Mama, see I was alive but not anymore. So, please let baby brother live. He could also be as wonderful as me. His life wouldnt be like mine. A life that never was.