When writing, writers seek to thoroughly examine every aspect of a topic. Some blog posts allow them to write whatever they want, whereas feature articles allow a writer to detail a tale and go deeply into the narrative. Now, you may be wondering what feature articles are and why they are so valuable.
Source: Freepik
Newspaper features started making an appearance in the 17th century and were used to record social events. In the early 1990s, news features were published online without any fancy edits. Examples of feature articles taken from that time would have had the same format as a traditional newspaper column with simple text, unlike modern blogs. As the online newspaper evolved, it became more interactive with headings, images, and quotes.
We are here to explain in detail all the questions you may have about feature articles. The essential ingredients of feature articles include in-depth knowledge of the subject, a standard structure, quotes, and facts arranged in a story-like fashion. More about them, below!
Understanding Feature Articles
Source: Freepik
Whenever you hear about an accident, you feel the need to know more about it. How many people were injured? How many vehicles were there? Did the paramedics reach the site of the accident on time?
A simple headline does not answer all these questions. So, you go on a Google hunt until you find an article that explains everything that happened before, during, and after the accident.
The article that you have stumbled upon is one of the common examples of a feature article. It gives you a complete picture of an event. You feel like you are watching everything happen right before your eyes.
There are different types of feature articles, including news features, profiles of famous people, historical features, interviews, and even behind-the-scenes feature articles. Which one you will find or want to read will depend on you, the event, and the publication agency.
How to Write a Feature Article?
Source: Freepik
The process of writing a feature article is simple. You need to do thorough research on a topic and present that information in an exciting way. However, there are a few things that you can keep in mind while trying to write a feature article.
- Start by explaining a shocking or interesting fact from the story.
- Provide an introduction to the reader by expanding on the first paragraph.
- Write the middle of the feature — which usually contains the plot.
- Support each fact or incident with a quote from a person who was involved.
- Build suspense in the second last part of your article by hinting towards the climax.
- Conclude your feature with a climax and explain the lessons learned in the last few sentences of the feature.
8 Examples of Feature Articles That Are a Treat to Read
Feature articles take on various shapes and indulge in various topics. These may include features on interviews, tragic incidents, current political situations, or even something that people can relate to.
Each example of a feature article showcases how each topic has an impact on a wide range of audiences. Just like trending blogs explore a variety of niches, so does the feature article. The following feature article examples will help you understand each type in detail.
1. Oppenheimer Feature – Time Magazine
Source: Time
Time Magazine is known for its great content, and one of its features explored the movie, Oppenheimer. The feature titled Here’s How Faithfully Oppenheimer Captures Its Subject’s Real Life starts with simple facts about the movie’s release. As the readers get hooked on the millions of dollars the film is set to make, the feature continues to explore various aspects of the movie.
The body of the feature article compares each part of the movie with the real life of the famous scientist, highlighting various facts. The article is comprehensive and gives details about Oppenheimer’s life without losing the interest of the reader.
2. Joe Biden’s Feature – The New Yorker
Source: The New Yorker
If you are looking for feature article examples in a newspaper, Joe Biden’s interview feature in The New Yorker is a treat to read. The feature article titled Did Joe Biden’s ABC Interview Stanch the Bleeding or Prolong It? highlights everything that went wrong in the President’s interview with the news channel ABC.
The article starts with a question that hooks the reader instantly. The feature breaks down the interview piece by piece and explains the overall political impact of Joe Biden’s flailing words. The article closes with a powerful argument and a unifying statement.
3. Baby Face Feature – Business Standard
Source: The Business Standard
Out of many feature article examples in newspapers, an article that highlights a certain social element is the most captivating. The feature named Baby Face: A blessing or a curse for your career? explores the discrimination people face because of a certain babyish appearance.
This feature was published in The Business Standard and starts off with a compelling opening statement. The body of the article includes quotes and relates real-life examples convincing the reader and closes with a reference to a study by BBC.
4. An American Girl Feature – The Washington Post
Source: The Washington Post
The feature article of a person’s profile explores their childhood, their achievements, and their relationships. An American Girl is an example of a feature article where a ten-year-old schoolgirl survived a school shooting.
The article starts with a description of Caitlyn Gonzales’s clothes and her demeanor. The gripping storytelling focuses on the human element and links each paragraph with the next seamlessly. The writer ends the story with the mention of a screen going black, symbolizing the death of the children and closing the article artfully.
5. Lisbon Earthquake Feature – Hakai Magazine
Source: Hakai Magazine
If you take history as a lesson to define your present, then sample feature articles on historical events are a great read. The feature The Earthquake That Brought Enlightenment, is a compelling story of an earthquake that took place in 1755 but changed the whole political landscape of Portugal – and greater Europe.
The writer takes us into the middle of the action in the introduction. The succeeding paragraphs then focus on the details of reforms as a result of the destruction caused by the earthquake. The article concludes by tying all the details of the past and present into a neat little ending.
6. Heatwave Feature – Fox 12
Source: Fox 12
Daily news can become more of a warning when things get too hot. The news feature titles First Heatwave of 2024 features a blazing hot holiday weekend provides us with a complete overview of the rise and fall of temperatures with a twist.
The article is a perfect mix of facts and entertainment as the writer explains the heat wave and its impact on the holiday season. The snappy conclusion includes some personal information and a touch of humor to keep the reader engaged till the very last word.
7. Book Banning Feature – Publishing Perspectives
Source: Publishing Perspectives
Examples of feature articles include all sorts of topics, including travel, history, and books. One such example is the feature on book banning in Canada, namely In Canada: Censorship and Library-Patron Interest in Books.
The article starts with simple facts about Canadian censorship rules. The article gives two lists of censored and uncensored titles and keeps the reader interested with captivating facts. The concluding paragraph is simple and highlights the irony of the situation, thus leaving a mark on the reader.
8. Israel and Palestine Feature – Al Jazeera
Source: Al Jazeera
The best examples of feature articles usually cover current political and geographical news. As does the feature on the Israel and Palestine conflict, namely Israel and Palestine: Is war the only way out?, which starts with a vivid description of a child’s horror. The article, published in AI Jazeera, captivates the audience instantly.
By drawing comparisons between the Ukraine war and other ongoing conflicts, the writer gives us some perspective on the situation. Unlike viral blogs that focus on the latest fads in drawn-out content, the paragraphs in this sample feature article are divided into two to three lines. Moreover, the concluding statement is powerful and gives the reader a reality check.
Conclusion
When you go through examples of feature articles, you will realize that there is one unifying element: each article takes a personal or human view of the incident or individual and quotes people who were a part of it. For people looking for personal blogs to read, the feature article examples are a great alternative.
Moreover, you can write one on your own by searching for new and trending titles. Give our blog post idea generator a try to save yourself the tedious work of searching through the rubble to come up with interesting topics for articles.
I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.