Feature Writing

Presented by:

RODOLF JOHN T.
RODRIGUEZ
Regional Education Program
Supervisor
I hope you
know….

 That FEATURE
WRITING is the
most exciting of
all!
As a start….

 A feature story differs

from a straight news
story in one aspect–
INTENT.
 A news story
provides INFO about
an event, idea or
situation.
 The feature does a bit
more – it may also
interpret news, add
depth and color to a
story, instruct or
entertain.
Where are the
features?
 In newspapers, it
is usually considered as
LIFESTYLE section.
 PDI, STAR, MB, BW, BM,
MT
have pages dedicated for
FEATURES
 Usually, it is
segmented per day
(e.g. Monday for Arts,
Tuesday for Wellness,
Wed for Home, Thur for
Food, Sunday for
Families
Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (1/8)
 NEWS
FEATURE
S
 In depth look at news,
more emotions from
the people involved
Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features…
 (2/8)
PERSONALITY
FEATURES
 It may be anyone – from
Presidents to Farmers
 It can even be your family
members or friends
Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (3/8)

HISTORICAL/
CULTURAL
FEATURES
 About art and heritage/
cultural appreciation
Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (4/8)
 BUSINESS
FEATURES
 Successful business enterprises/
CSR efforts of companies to give
back to communities
 Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (5/8)

Entertainment
FEATURES
 About showbiz, film,
television –
esp. behind the scenes stories
 Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (6/8)
 TRAVEL
FEATURES
 New destinations, trips, tips,
experiences during exploring
Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (7/8)
 SEASONAL/
EVENT
FEATURES
 Stories celebrating an occasion,
fiesta, eg. Mom’s Day, Christmas,
Valentines, etc. or a brand/ product
launch
 Experts say
that there are more
than a dozen types of
features… (8/8)

 HOW TO’s
FEATURES
 Guides, tips, recipes, etc.
How do you start???
(Part 1/3)
Just ask this question….

WHAT IS
INTERESTING????
 (Of course, it is understood that you know
correct grammar, etc. / that you are curious/
that you are interested with people and events/
that you are a reader and a social media
follower / that you will research well and not
PLAGIARIZE! )
How do you start???(Part
2/3)
1.The introduction is the most
important part - entice your
reader, hook them in. Use drama,
emotion, quotations, questions,
WRITING PROCESS descriptions.

2.The body of the article needs to

JUST KNOW 3 keep any promises or answer
any questions raised in the
THINGS introduction
- try and maintain an
 (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) "atmosphere" throughout the
writing.
 Tip: Have a great headline/ subhead!
3. The conclusion should be
written to help the reader
remember the story -- use a
 Introduction
The introduction is the most important part - entice your reader, hook them in. Use drama, emotion, quotations,
questions, descriptions.

You may have heard the slogan, “It is more fun in the Philippines”. But, as
a Filipino living in this third world country, what makes this place fun? Being
colonized for hundreds of years, poverty that is starving the people, wars that
created fear to children, typhoons and floods that destroyed homes, crimes,
education, future- what else there is to look forward to? What future is waiting
ahead? What riches hiding under their beautiful mountains? What mystery
waiting to be revealed under the sparkly beaches surrounding the country?
 Body
The body of the article needs to keep any promises or answer any questions raised in the introduction
- try and maintain an "atmosphere" throughout the writing.
The National Economy of the Philippines is the 40 th largest in the world with an estimated 2022 gross domestic
product of $401.6 billion (Report for Selected Countries, IMF 2023) and has a population of 113, 564, 616 (worldmeters.info,
2023). It is not the economy that makes this country great but is the mind-astonishing water and land formations that portray
the true description of God’s works. Philippines is one of the countries with rich mountains and sparkly beaches like the beaches
in Boracay, Palawan, Siargao and Bohol which are few of the best tourist destinations in the world. It is also the home of the
best land formations in the world like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, and the famous rice
terraces in Benguet. For other breath-taking water formation, the Philippines has the Majestic Waterfall- Maria Cristina Falls,
the Palawan Underground River, and the Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River.
The best treasure of the Philippines is the People. Filipinos are friendly, hospitable, respectful and resilient. We are
close to our families and our children respect the elders. We do MANO PO as a way of showing our respect to the elders by
putting their right hands to our foreheads. We are welcoming with the visitors and we always put smile in our faces. We are
very resilient because no matter what problems, typhoons or calamities come our way, we will keep standing, fighting and
surviving. Filipinos are laid back and humble but possess great talents in education, medicine, engineering, etc. and those are
the key tickets for their brighter future that they can look forward to.
 Conclusion
3. The conclusion should be written to help the reader remember the story -- use a strong punch line

Above all the catastrophes, the Philippines remains steadfast with its unwavering resiliency.
This place is a paradise gifted with fairy tale-like beaches and mountains, and the Filipinos with great
personality and humility stemmed from their ancestors are the true riches, abundance and gems of
the Philippine as the Pearl of the Orient Seas. With their rich heritage, wonderfully diverse culture,
mind-altering water and land formation and the characteristic of the Filipino People, it is indeed more
fun in the Philippines.
How do you start???
(Part 3/3)

Consider your
audience… is it for a
school paper, a
national daily, a
community newsletter,
etc.
MORE TIPS FOR A WINNING FEATURES!
(Part 1/3)

Focus on human interest – the feel

and emotion you put into the
article are important!
 • Be clear about why you are
writing the article. Is it to inform,
persuade, observe, evaluate, or
evoke emotion?
 • Accuracy is important.
Double check your sources.
(Tip: Credit Sources Well!)
MORE TIPS FOR A WINNING FEATURES!
(Part 2/3)

 Keep your audience clearly in mind

- what are their desires, what really
matters to them?
 • Avoid clichés and sentimental
statements – especially at the start/
end of your article.
 • Interviews for features usually need
to be in-depth and in person rather
than over the phone – this enables
you to add personal observations. DO
NOT ASK IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS?
MORE TIPS FOR A WINNING FEATURES!
(Part 3/3)

 • Use anecdotes and direct quotes to tell the

story
– as much as possible, do not to use too many of
your own words.
 • If you can, talk to more than one source
person to provide a more complete picture. If
possible, get both sides.
 • Decide on the ‘tense' of your story at the
start and stick to it. Present tense usually
works best.
 • Avoid lengthy, complex paragraphs. Your
article will appear in columns, so one or two
sentences equals a paragraph.
Features in the age of Social
Media
 Advisable to have a website, videos, and
QR codes
 Create a “social media campaign”… teasers,
listicles, reveal… but avoid “clickbaiting”
 Encourage friends to “share” – not only to
“like”
 If it has online presence, then a feature
article can be reshared or shared when it is
again appropriate
 Long-form is still ok but put snippets if you
prefer
to attract readers
Presenting your Features
Page
 Photos should be relevant
and compelling
 Use infographics,
graphs, charts
 Use subheads and blurbs
in strategic places
 If possible, have a
SIDEBAR (to show more
in-depth coverage
Presenting your Features
Page
 Photos should be relevant
and compelling
 Use infographics,
graphs, charts
 Use subheads and blurbs
in strategic places
 If possible, have a
SIDEBAR (to show more
in-depth coverage
FOR SERIOUS WRITERS

1.Go LOCAL. Do not write something so far away

from your place or expertise. Be proud of where you
are.
2.Capture readers’ attention with catchy headline/s
and an interesting 1st paragraph/ powerful ending.
3. Have a clean layout. Avoid “wrapping” texts
unnecessarily.
4. Decide a good balance with photos/ illustrations.
(Be careful with cropping and stretching)
THANK YOU for
LISTENING & GOOD
LUCK, GOD BLESS!