The Feature Story

1
The Feature Story

• Advanced Writing Workshop
• Journalism and Media Studies Centre
• The University of Hong Kong
• Gene Mustain

2
The Feature Story

• Hard news marches through an event.
• Feature news takes us on a journey down a river
  that may have twists and turns, but stays within
  the banks.

3
The Feature Story

• Hard news gives us who, what, when and where.
• Feature news gives us those things, plus
  illumination, perspective, explanation and
  interpretation. Maybe entertainment.

4
The Feature Story

• In the beginning
• Straight news get to the point.
• Features point can be postponed.

5
The Feature Story

• Types of leads
• Narrative intro to issue.
• Narrative intro to event.
• Dramatic statement.
• Anecdotal intro.
• Talking to reader.

6
The Feature Story

• The interest is human.
• Dehydrated lead.
• Non-dehydrated lead.

7
The Feature Story

• Many start with only an idea.
• But what about the idea?

8
The Feature Story

• The winnowing process.
• And once you winnow, you have a theme.

9
The Feature Story

• Self-editing hurts, but do it.
• If anecdotes, facts, quotes dont bear on the
  subject, show them the door -- get rid of them.

10
The Feature Story

• Tone and detail.
• Whats right for the story?
• Give us unique details.

11
The Feature Story

• The freedom to write, the obligation to be fair
  and accurate.