LITERATURE TASK 2 - Journalism in the digital age

News feature – written to a tight deadline & associated with a news story

Timeless feature – can take several months but still needs a peg to the story.

Sources for features:

·      Records

·      Contacts

·      Interviews

·      Newspapers 

After researching, these are the questions that a feature needs to answer:

·      What is the story?

·      What is the lead?

·      Facts?

·      Ending?

Every features has:

1)   A Focus – specific. Readers must know the topic of what they’re about to read.

2)   The Lead – A new angle on a old story. Leads can be a summary, a quote, descriptive or direct. 

3)   The Body – Write as a whole, not in parts. Smooth transition. Major point with explanation, transition to fact with quotes interwoven. Tight, well edited. Just right amount of words. 

4)   The Ending – two types, summary and a twist. Don’t editorialize. 

Things to consider when writing features:

·      Vary the length of sentences but keep them short.

·      Keep it simple

·      Use verbs actively

·      Be positive 

·      Keep it conversational and friendly 

·      Avoid unnecessary words

Types of features:

·      Backgrounder

·      Personality 

·      Anniversary 

·      Seasonal 

·      News analysis

Herbert, J. (2016). Journalism in the digital age. [Place of publication not identified]: Focal, pp.182-193.