A featured story goes beyond hard news and reveals the complexities of an issue, asking important questions and giving readers a deep understanding. Its success depends on meticulous research, solid reporting and a human-interest angle that hooks readers.
Rather than simply telling readers what happened, a feature article shows what happened by introducing relatable characters and building a narrative around their experiences. This is a powerful way to make an impact on your audience and linger in their memory.
A strong feature begins with a captivating opening paragraph, known as the lead, that grabs attention and sets the tone for the article. This can include an anecdote, a thought-provoking question or a vivid description. Often, a good feature will have multiple layers of information, including primary sources, expert insights, historical context and real-world human experiences. Make sure to fact-check everything! If one statistic or anecdote isn’t accurate, it can throw off the entire piece.
A great feature also features sensory details that transport readers into a scene, like the smell of a bakery or the sound of children playing in a park. This technique is called “show, don’t tell,” and it helps your readers connect with your characters. For example, instead of saying Johnny was tired after running up the hill, you can describe his red cheeks and puffed up breath to convey how he felt. In addition to incorporating sensory details, great features often include quotes from interviews and anecdotes to add depth and authenticity to your story.
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