When you take that first sip of coffee in the morning and open the newspaper, you see multiple headings and titles. The first article you read tells you a story and a series of events. You will most probably also see an image that features the details of a person or an incident that has made the news along with a catchy headline. These pieces of news are called news feature articles.
Source: Freepik
But what are feature articles exactly? How to write headings for news features and how are they different from news reports or blog articles? That is what we are going to find out today. We will explore in detail the parts of feature news articles and how they shape the field of journalism.
What Is a News Feature Article?
Source: Freepik
A newspaper is not merely a long array of a piece of information. It is a collection of news items and stories presented with ingenuity and mastery. The best feature articles in a newspaper are those that tell an intriguing story. We’ll dive deeper into the anatomy of a news feature article with an example feature story from Nature.
Introduction
A news feature article starts with a captivating statement. The introduction gives only a hint of the incident being discussed in the feature. The introduction builds a sense of mystery to spark the reader’s interest. The feature story by Heidi Ledford, Hope, despair, and CRISPR — the race to save one woman’s life, starts with Uditi Saraf meeting the researcher who was trying to find a cure for her illness. Now, this alone doesn’t tell us much, but it sets the stage for more interesting – and sometimes – shocking turns of events.
Plot
As the feature article continues, it starts to unwind various strands of the story. As the article progresses, the readers get more information about the incident and the people involved in the story. Moreover, the writer explains the role of each individual and provides their background information. The news feature then unfolds the plot or the sequence of events due to which the news was published.
Conflict
The news feature explores a conflict or a question — just like a good storyline. The writer usually builds up to the point of the conflict or climax to show the gravity of the situation. In Heidi Ledford’s feature article, the conflict was the delay in the research on the gene repair Uditi needed for her surgery. Her parents tried to fund her treatment but they could not find a cure in time. All these points work together to formulate a compelling climax.
Resolution
A news feature ends with a final statement regarding the person or incident under discussion. It summarizes the whole article and concludes from those findings. For example, the news feature article on a court case will end with a description of the sentence ordered by the judge. Moreover, people’s reactions to the incident are recorded. In Uditi Saraf’s case, we learned that advancements in gene testing and therapies must progress quickly.
Blog Post vs News Feature Article
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News features differ from blog posts in a few ways. Newspapers are written for people from all backgrounds whereas blogs usually cater to a specific niche. Let us take a look at the top four differences between news features and blogs.
1. Tone
The tone of a trending blog is informal and casual whereas the tone of a news feature is rather serious. Bloggers usually write articles to encourage people to talk about – or learn about – a certain product, topic, or idea. In contrast, news features provide information to their audience in a captivating manner.
2. Structure
The structure of a news feature follows a specific pattern as mentioned above. A blog post, on the other hand, may have a flexible structure depending on the topic. Moreover, news features are longer as they go into details about an incident whereas blogs are usually short and sweet.
3. Audience
People who read newspapers need information on current events. On the other hand, people who read blogs are looking for information on a trend like what lifestyle blogging is or what the best method of making reels for Instagram is. That is why a blog’s content has a central theme instead of general news.
4. Format
The format of a news feature has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. A modern blog’s structure has multiple subsections depending on the topic. Moreover, a blog may include tables and graphs whereas news features usually focus on images of the place and people that are part of the news story.
Top 5 News Feature Articles Sources
With the introduction of social media and online news sources, you have multiple sources to choose to get your information from. However, some news agencies and websites have stood out from the sea of information sources. The following sources will help you find news features that are entertaining as well as informative.
The Guardian
Source: The Guardian
The Guardian is a British newspaper with a long-standing readership. Its news features explore topics from the latest news on elections to a journalist being scammed by a chocolate company. The wide range of topics and authenticity of the news covered make the Guardian a fun read. The latest news feature on Donald Trump forgetting the name of the White House doctor might just put a smile on your face or fill you with ire. The witty headlines and simple language of the news features engage the audience and keep them invested in the story.
Time
Source: Time
The Time magazine is a great example of a news feature platform because of its unique style and delivery. Its first issue was published on March 3, 1923, and ever since then, it has become a popular online news sensation. The latest feature explores the return of Kate Middleton to public duty after her cancer diagnosis. It gives the details of Kate’s presence at the Trooping The Colour ceremony which is held to celebrate the British Sovereign’s official birthday. The article shows Kate’s openness on her chemotherapy journey and her personal evolution. Such personality can be seen in almost all of Time’s features, making them personable and relatable.
WHO
Source: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly updates the world on its progress through its news features. The feature stories consist of updates on WHO’s efforts to provide rehabilitation for people suffering from various illnesses and injuries. The latest venture of WHO is Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge which is taking place in Geneva. These news stories are directed towards an audience that wants updates on WHO’s projects. These are people who want to make donations to their various causes and make the world a better place.
Science Daily
Source: Science Daily
Science is making progress in different avenues and Science Daily is the one source that offers you regular updates on new discoveries. Its news features reveal the latest discoveries on sleep, massive black holes, and preserving DNA. The best thing about these news features is that they explore history and science through simple language. For instance, the feature on ritual sacrifices at Chichén Itzá helps people understand a disease’s historical background. Science Daily’s audience includes students and researchers who are looking for the latest updates on scientific discoveries.
The New Yorker
Source: The New Yorker
If you are on the lookout for an online news website that explores a wide variety of topics then, The New Yorker is the place to start. It explores an interesting array of topics from the children’s beloved YouTube channel, Cocomelon to music producer Kanye West’s latest mansion. Moreover, you can also find the best feature articles on nanotechnology on the list of the latest reads. The witty tone and relatable content are as engaging as you could want. People from all walks of life read The New Yorker to get regular news updates.
How to Write a News Feature Article?
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Writing a news feature article requires planning and practice. That is why you need to follow the given steps to write a feature news article from scratch.
- Read news feature articles from reliable sources like The Times or Guardian for inspiration.
- Focus on the storytelling rather than only laying out the facts to engage the audience.
- Use a personal tone and create an introduction, a body, and an end.
- Address the audience directly by using a second-person narrative, i.e., using “You”.
- Add subheadings to hint towards the article’s next section and keep the reader engaged.
- Build a sense of mystery in the introduction, create a climax or high point in the body, and reveal the facts in the conclusion.
- Avoid using a formal tone and use verbs and nouns to elicit an emotional response from the reader.
- Finish off the article with a general lesson or advice and summarize the article memorably.
Wrap Up
News features are an integral part of journalism. They help readers get a quick glimpse at world events. If you are interested in writing a news feature but can’t pick the right title, you should try our blog post idea generator to help you out. So, take your pick of the best news feature to start reading and commence your journey toward journalistic success
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