Learning new things is fun, but for most students, it becomes dull because of the constant pressure to excel. And then there are special interests, journalism being one of them. Speaking of journalism, feature articles are a great way to explore this avenue. And feature article examples for students allow them to learn about a topic in a completely unique manner.
Source: Freepik
So, what are feature articles and how exactly do they relate to student journalism? These are some of the few questions we will answer in this article. So, hold your breath. The world of feature articles holds a lot of promise especially if you are an aspiring journalist. Come with us to discover their world!
Understanding Feature Articles in Student Journalism
Source: Freepik
Students who pursue journalism in school know the importance of research. That is why they are usually asked to write feature articles. The process of writing feature article examples for students requires in-depth research. Many writers follow leads and find connections to create a compelling story for their feature article.
Student journalism is a rich field of knowledge, and feature articles provide a head start to early success. Exploring feature article examples for students helps them understand the process of separating facts from fiction. These articles also polish the student’s narrative-writing abilities and report-writing skills. They help them create lengthy articles while maintaining the reader’s interest.
Key Elements of a Feature Article
Source: Freepik
Feature article examples for students are sharply different from other articles you can find on the internet. They do not have a regular introduction, middle, or end. Instead, the student journalist jumps right into the story and unfolds each aspect from there on.
Let us take a look at some of the key elements of a feature article.
- Circular Narrative
The narrative of a feature article starts from a single event with small hints that point to the next event. The writer maintains a sense of mystery revealing information one paragraph at a time.
- People-centric Focus
Feature articles emphasize the importance of people’s accounts in a story. The event takes a backseat as the writer quotes the actual people involved in the incident.
- Length
Feature articles are lengthy because they explore all the aspects of an incident. These articles may start from four thousand words. Other articles may even reach a ten-thousand-word count.
- Perspective
Feature articles have a particular perspective on an incident. The tone and wording of the article are personal. The readers can understand the writer’s point of view all the way to the last paragraph.
- Format
Some feature articles have headings and some do not. However, all types of feature articles have short paragraphs to keep the readers engaged throughout the length of the article.
How To Write a Feature Article?
Source: Freepik
Feature articles require a different type of approach from blog articles. When you take a look at feature article examples for students, you will see that each article has a unique perspective.
If you want to write a feature article, you need to prepare yourself. The first draft you write will not be perfect most of the time. However, you can learn the various techniques to create a compelling one.
- Choose the topic you want to work on and start doing research. Read case reports and talk to the people related to the incident or the person who is the focus of your article.
- Think about a creative article title. You can go through examples of feature articles to get an idea of crafting an interesting headline.
- Work on writing a captivating introduction or lead. Write about something that people would instantly relate to and want to read further.
- Plan the outline of the blog to create comprehensive content. Add all the things you found out in your research and arrange them according to a timeline.
- Start the article with an introduction followed by a plot or complication and end the article with a resolution.
- Add statistics and quotes to support your arguments or plot. Make sure all the content is authentic to the core.
- Conclude the topic with a strong conclusion. Summarize all the facts elegantly while adding a perspective of your own.
5 Excellent Feature Article Examples for Students
Source: Freepik
Feature articles allow students to explore each aspect of a topic and explain it one step at a time. From time immemorial, human beings have tried to record various events in writing. The practice continues to this day in the form of feature articles and trending blogs. Students can learn a lot from these articles and here are a few examples that can help them make a wonderful start.
Nerds And Geeks Are Taking Over the Paris Olympics
Source: Washington Post
Washington Post’s feature article, Nerds And Geeks Are Taking Over Paris Olympics is a fun read. The article looks like a modern blog in the first look. The introduction explains the quality of geeks to focus on their target.
Each paragraph explains how athletes and winners have shown that learning also helps you in the field of sports. The article includes various quotes from the athletes and their coaches. It comes to a close by appreciating the effort geeks put into their work, resulting in their success.
Kamala Harris and the Inevitable Return of ‘Not That Woman’
Source: Time Magazine
Time Magazine offers one of the best feature article examples for students. The latest feature Kamala Harris and the Inevitable Return of ‘Not That Woman’ explores the prospects of Kamala Harris. The writer gives numerous references to previous women presidential candidates.
The narrative of the article is formal, and witty and engages the reader till the last sentence. Its short sentences and crisp tone leave readers with something to think about. It closes with an impactful paragraph on the future of women in politics.
A Star Is Born
Source: Dawn
The news feature article on Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medallist, Arshad Nadeem, titled A Star Is Born, takes a close look at the origins of the javelin thrower.
The subheadline of the article grips the audience by stating that Pakistan won the Olympic gold medal after 32 years. The article then shifts the perspective towards the hardships Nadeem had to go through. The small paragraphs, statistics, and use of excellent vocabulary make the article a quick and interesting read for the audience.
How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People
Source: The Cut
The feature article on Anna Delvey, the fake heiress of New York, is a delightful read. It starts with an interesting take on New York’s elite circle. The article How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People explores the events of Anna Delvey’s life.
Each paragraph gives a clue to the next event leading up to Anna’s arrest. The article’s narrative pivots around Anna Delvey’s fraudulent activities and ends with her in prison. The concluding line with a direct quote from Anna leaves a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.
Banksy’s New Urban Jungle Sparks Hunt For Hidden Meaning
Source: BBC
BBC’s news feature on the street artist Banksy covers all the great elements of writing. The article’s title “Banksy’s New Urban Jungle Sparks Hunt For Hidden Meaning” sparks the reader’s curiosity right away.
The article starts with a question about monkeys and other animals. The next paragraphs explain Banksy’s latest works on various streets in London. The article includes stacks of one or two sentences, rather than long paragraphs. The narrative focuses on people’s reactions to the art with direct quotes from the neighborhood where people admire Banksy’s art.
FAQs
What are the five parts of feature articles?
The process of writing feature articles includes research, the title, introduction, body, and conclusion.
How do I start writing a feature article?
Pick a topic and plan the outline of your article by doing thorough research. Start with a witty introduction, add a plot or complication, and end the article with an effective conclusion.
What is a good feature article?
A good feature article should capture the reader’s attention with a sense of mystery. It should be completely unique and must be extensively researched.
Conclusion
Feature article examples for students allow them to view the world with a new perspective. The best thing for student journalists is to start every article with proper research. When they collect the proper data, they can start planning the outline of the article. However, the most important step is to create an exciting title for a feature article, which they can do by using a blog post idea generator. Students can write impactful feature articles by using all these tips and practicing their writing skills.
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