Feature writing caven masuku, gweru, zimbabwe introduction a good feature writer is neither wordy nor flowery. I doubt if many of the aces i will be extolling in this story went into journalism with the faintest notion of creating a new journalism, a higher journalism, or even a mildly improved variety. The new journalists of the 1960s called attention to their own voices. A good news story provides answers to each of these questions. As one editorcritic has stated, i find the term new journalism more obscurant than new politics and new morality. The craft of broadcast news writing broadcast writing style vs. Given the features propensity to apply the craft of showing rather than merely telling, reporters need to expand their reporting skill set. Feature writing for journalists considers both newspapers and magazines and helps the new or aspiring journalist to become a successful feature writer. What works best and why it matters sue burzynski bullard associate professor college of journalism and mass communications university of nebraskalincoln a paper prepared for presentation at the national convention of the association for education in journalism and mass communication, washington, d. Feature writing is the primary form of writing that concordias student newspaper produces. Some of the best, awardwinning journalism teachers and professors from across the country have contributed their lessons and curriculum to. Or it can be an interior vignette, a small story within a larger story that gives the reader a sense of place or reengages the reader in the storys characters.
Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on events. To examine markets for journalism and learn how stories are sold. He has written and taught journalism for over 25 years. Journalists write to be read, not to have their stories ignored.
Using examples from a wide range of papers, specialist and trade magazines and alternative publications, sharon wheeler considers the different types of material that come under the term feature including human interest pieces, restaurant. A content analysis of longform narrative pieces published on. The writer learns about the topic through education, experience, research or interviews with experts. Newspapers and periodicals often contain features see feature style written. A sidebar runs next to the main story or elsewhere in the same edition, providing an audience with additional information on the same topic. Hard news stories generally are written so that the audience gets the most important information as quickly as possible. Maintaining reader interest 45 some final thoughts 48 chapter 4. A storyline could alert readers that the story began in a way that seemed ordinary, but they must follow it to. The basics of good journalism and good writing in general all apply to feature writing. Invention of printing press and paper a brief history of british and american journalism. Niblock argues that the proportion of feature journalism in british newspapers. Independent journalism handbook of deborah potter is executive director of newslab.
Standard reporters, and some fiction writers, were. You may use statements attributed to individuals as direct or indirect quotes. Literary journalism emerged in fullforce again in the 1960s with narrative works by. Evaluation of financing models for investigative journalism.
Broadcast journalism written or spoken journalism for radio or television. Interview other students, friends, relatives and colleagues so you have enough information for a wellrounded portrait of the person. Something that will grab the readers attention and drag them into the story. Write about your favorite teacher, a successful coach or another interesting personality on your campus. Tips for writing news stories that will grab a reader. But to get your started, here is a brief how to on putting together a winning feature article. Feature writing key function is to humanize, to add color, to educate, to entertain, to illuminate may or may not be tied to a current event will often be longer than a traditional news story 3. Readers want to feel comfortable with a papers design, its departmentalization and its use of illustrations, colour and headlines. In the 60s and 70s, the journalism industry changed drastically and for the better. The digital animation of the authors 2015 literary. My tutor lisa was extremely supportive and helpful. He is precise and straight to the point and is guided by the abc of journalism that is accuracy, balance and clarity.
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for degree of. Hostwriter powers the collaborative future of journalism. When articles or scripts succeed at this, they often are cast as what is known as features or contain elements of a story. The term journalism genres refers to various journalism styles, fields or separate genres, in writing accounts of events. These skills the students will use repeatedly over the course of the year. Writing features and editorials, from the diploma in journalism course, on. Feature writing part ii 35 sit down, switch on xx and start writing the body of the feature 37 think visually 37 write tight 38 case study. A new writing style had surfaced that was initially illreceived, but revolutionized the way news is reported to the public to this day. Other advanced forms of journalism 49 news analysis 49. When reporters get handson with robowriting neil thurman. Radio and tv news writing and reporting are written for the ear. To a large extent a newspapers identity is determined by its appearance and its tone. For the most part, they are conjunctions such as and, but, or, for, thus, however, therefore, meanwhile, and others. We discuss both questions here briefly, concluding.
An important step in writing your ethics code is deciding what type of journalist or organization you want to be and what type of journalism you will be performing. Modern journalism, a guide for beginners internet archive. Writing style differences in newspaper, radio, and television news 2 of stylistic features should be a handy reference tool. She was very prompt with responses and a pleasure to work with. They do not have great value in terms of the content of the writing, but they are necessary for. Early communication systems in india news writers of mogul period, development of printing early. Hostwriter helps journalists to easily collaborate across borders. Write a feature story about the trip, or about the garden or some interesting plants. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. The monograph may also be used as a student text, providing a quick guide to features of style and their rationales.
Subject journalism and mass communication communication. Print writing style 12 differences and the importance of leads first be clear. Or the unexpected effects of creative writing on journalism research article pdf available in journalism studies 189. This period of literary journalism was also the era in which evocative writing was paired with documentary photography to deepen the influence of journalistic storytelling sims, 2007. Although discussion of phenomena labelled new journalism abounds today in american literary and journalistic criticism, little clearcut definition is in evidence. While opinion pieces can qualify as feature articles, features in general are certainly not a mere outlet for the writer to express their opinions, or to speculate on an issue factual information and.
The students will learn the steps of writing an effective feature story including interviewing, taking notes, writing the lead, and deciding on an overall theme to the piece. From the given information, write a news story as you would for the high school newspaper. Lesson plans classroom in a box series training modules. Designed both for those who are new to journalism and those with some journalistic experience, this course will boost the skills of students no matter their. Writing style differences in newspaper, radio, and television news 2 introduction journalism students who begin the study of broadcast news often complain of the difficulty of writing in an unaccustomed style, a difficulty compounded when the student concurrently takes a broadcast news course and a news editorial skills course.
Suggested reading the art and craft of feature writing, william blundell, plume, 1988 note. The morris journalism academys online freelance journalism courses will give a comprehensive look at how to write a feature article for almost any topic, and give you insight into the world of freelance writing. This topic presents a summary of the key content covered in module 2. It uses quotes liberally and allows the reader to see the story through detailed description and vivid writing. Newsoriented journalism is sometimes described as the first rough draft of history attributed to phil graham, because journalists often did record important events, however producing news. Introduction to journalism student activities book by dianne smith publisher. Form, style and journalistic strategies an introduction marcel broersma form and style matter in journalism.
Oliver pomfrett, basics of feature writing course the course was easily understandable and very accessible. Handbook of independent journalism us department of state. Please refer to this powerpoint presentation for better understanding on the subject matter. Writing style differences in newspaper, radio, and. Alternative models of financing investigative journalism. While somewhat dated, this book explicitly frames a strategy for approaching the kinds of researchbased, public affairs features this course encourages. She has taught journalism as a faculty member at the poynter institute and at american university, and is a past executive. Ask most people what a feature story is, and theyll say something soft and puffy, written for the arts or fashion section of a newspaper or website. Journalism from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia journalism is a discipline of writing. Describe their experiences in writing the books as well as their work, problems and attitudes. Definition of news lyle spencer, former dean of the school of journalism, syracuse university, has defined news any event, idea or opinion that is timely, that interest and affects a large number of people in the community, and that is capable of being understood by them. From the opening paragraph to the final sentence, a wellwritten feature should challenge a preconception, and it should take you behind a story which is in the headlines and actually, in some cases, take you to places in the news and in current. Feature writing can stand alone, or it can be a sidebar to the main story, the mainbar. This course will teach students how to write compelling feature articles, substantive nonfiction stories that look to a corner of the news and illuminate it, often in human terms.
News writing for print 4 information already introduced. If your objective is freelance feature writing, a staff job for a while will enable you to build a network of contacts. Sa writers college basics of feature writing course. If youre even luckier the work placement might lead to a staff job.
1041 587 982 716 1125 1064 1532 315 1196 221 140 1194 644 1287 1334 232 1176 791 632 64 1168 696 645 452 153 576 662 437 1540 1234 509 546 703 715 954 113 797