With roots in traditional journalism, feature articles have a rich and evolving history. But what are feature articles and why do they matter? Before exploring the answers to these questions, let’s travel back in time to know where they came from.
Newspapers began in the 1600s, mainly focusing on hard news and political commentary. However, over time, the demand grew for more varied content. Then the penny press concept emerged in the 1830s. It truly revolutionized journalism by giving it a whole new direction.
At this moment in history, newspapers became more affordable and widely accessible. This era saw the rise of human-interest stories and the launch of feature articles. Famous magazines e.g. Harper’s Monthly and The Saturday Evening Post published in-depth articles, exploring news in detail. That’s when Mark Twain and Nellie Bly earned acclaim for their compelling feature stories.
Nowadays, feature articles are published across print and online media with greater interactivity and multimedia integration. Today, we’ll explore them in detail.
What Are Feature Articles?
Source: Freepik
As the feature article definition goes, it drills down into a specific detail of a news story, event, or issue. It provides in-depth analysis, context, and insight into that news. As the name says, it features or highlights a story’s particular aspect with a close-up view, making the article more insightful and enjoyable.
Key elements of a feature article
Below are the 6 crucial elements that make up the structure of a feature article.
- Headline – Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling headline that conveys key information and excites readers to read on.
- Catchy angle – Establish a central idea by exploring the topic from an angle that sets your article apart from others.
- Lead/ Intro – Keep the opening paragraph strong by introducing the topic with a hook and sparking the reader’s interest.
- Body – Add accurate, up-to-date, valuable, and insightful information to support your intro.
- Visuals – Include high-quality and relevant graphics that complement the text and make the article enjoyable.
- Conclusion – End your article with a strong conclusion and CTA to encourage the reader to take a specific action.
Characteristics of a featured article
Source: Freepik
Now that you’re familiar with a feature article’s structure, here are its core attributes:
- Narrative style – Use storytelling techniques to bring the story to life and keep readers interested.
- Human interest – Focus on people, places, and significant and/or interesting events. Highlight different viewpoints or experiences behind the news.
- In-depth coverage – Provide sensory details of a subject. They often involve doing extensive research on your part.
- Opinion-based facts – Blend objective information with subjective viewpoints artfully. It helps you create a flowing and interesting read.
- Logical organization – Structure content logically with smooth transitions between paragraphs and sections.
Language and tone in feature articles
If you read feature articles, you notice they have a colloquial tone. This tone narrates the news with a personal or human interest angle. The language in feature storytelling is typically persuasive and descriptive. It uses active voice and varied sentence structure to ensure the article flows naturally. Overall, these articles maintain the balance between being conversational and authoritative. It keeps readers engaged and establishes credibility.
Purpose of feature articles
So far, we’ve answered “What is a feature article?”. Its core idea involves the in-depth exploration of a specific topic, going beyond regular reporting. That makes its purpose much clearer.
Unlike the news article, a feature article not only informs but also entertains readers. It provides comprehensive insights, personal anecdotes, or expert analysis, all while maintaining a natural flow to keep the article enjoyable for readers.
Feature articles vs. News articles
Feature articles stand in stark contrast to featured news articles. Let’s see their main differences below.
| Feature article | News article | |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Long-form journalism content | Short-form journalism content |
| Purpose | In-depth exploration of a news story | Factual reporting of breaking news |
| Format | Follows a rollercoaster format | Follows the martini glass format |
| Structure | Flexible structure | Standardized structure |
| Tone | Subjective, interpretive tone | Objective, straightforward tone |
| Length | More flexible, can be longer | Usually shorter |
| Elements | Includes personal anecdotes and expert interviews | Relies on facts and quotes from sources |
| Written in | First-person | Third-person |
| Timeliness | Time-specific and immediate | Cover the topic from any timeline |
| Focus | ‘Why, how’ behind a story | ‘Who, what, when, where’ of an event |
Benefits of writing feature articles
Here are the reasons you should consider writing a feature article:
- Beyond improving research, a featured article lets you explore creative approaches to storytelling. You can leverage anecdotes, metaphors, and other literary devices.
- Writing features demonstrate your expertise on a subject. It builds credibility and establishes you as an expert in your field.
- Feature articles allow you to connect with your target audience on a personal level. Their detailed and conversational nature builds a lasting bond.
- Well-written feature articles can drive significant traffic to your website/ publication. As a result, it boosts your online visibility and reach.
Types of Feature Articles
There are different types of feature articles one can write. Let’s explore the most important ones you should know about.
Narrative feature
A narrative feature article tells a compelling story about an individual or an event. Its elements include an intriguing plot, interesting characters, and a detailed setting. It often has a personal or human interest angle that evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impact.
Instructional feature
Instructional or how-to feature articles offer practical, actionable advice. They offer it in a step-by-step, clear, and organized manner. Basically, they help readers learn new techniques and lessons. They may cover cooking, DIY projects, technology, personal development, or other topics.
Seasonal feature
The seasonal feature focuses on events or themes related to a particular season or holiday. It provides timely and relevant content for readers. The content is often more temporary compared to evergreen feature article topics.
Lifestyle feature
The lifestyle feature covers a plethora of interesting article topics. It usually spans fashion, hobbies, travel, health, or relationships. Readers love to read such articles for insights, entertainment, and inspiration. They help them enhance their lifestyle and well-being.
News feature
The newspaper feature article is not another news report focusing on breaking news. In fact, it delves deeper into current events. It provides detailed analysis, background information, and potential future implications.
Profile feature
As the name says, a profile feature article focuses on the profile of an interesting individual, often a celebrity or a public figure. It highlights the person’s achievements, background, and significance. Sometimes, it dishes out the intimate details about the person’s life, personality, and impact.
Interview feature
Interview feature articles are unlike profile features. They revolve around one-on-one discussions with interesting or prominent people. These interviews usually feature direct quotes. They focus on a person’s relatable story, professional journey, or unique perspectives.
Top 5 Examples of Feature Articles to Get Inspiration From
Building on the types mentioned earlier, we’ll now look at the exceptional examples of feature articles to inspire our writing.
CNN
Source: CNN
This CNN article is a special feature story about Sara Sabry. She made history as the first Egyptian, Arab, and African woman in space. The title sets the clear expectations for the readers. It says, “‘I’ve dedicated my life to this mission’: Sara Sabry on making space exploration more accessible”.
The article explores her journey to space, detailing her background and mission. In her interview with Arya Jyothi and Maheshpreet Narula, she spoke about her personal connection to space. This feature highlights the work of her Colorado-based non-profit organization, Deep Space Initiative. Now, Sabry wants others to follow her example and conquer space! 🪐
The Guardian
Source: The Guardian
The title of this feature article by The Guardian speaks for itself: “‘It needs to stay in the loop’: German reuse schemes turn shopping upside down”. Ajit Niranjan wrote it to highlight German efforts to reduce waste with reusable packaging. Their bottle deposit scheme is a success, but expanding reuse is tricky.
It tells how retailers like René Heiden and Truesday are adopting reusable containers. Moreover, food companies are embracing refill packaging. This article highlights the challenges of reusable systems, such as scalability and cooperation. While reuse cuts waste, it can also mean heavier packaging and store handling challenges – all highlighted masterfully in the feature.
The Independent
Source: The Independent
Katie Rosseinsky is a culture critic and journalist. She wrote this feature article in The Independent. It argues against TV shows dramatizing “cancel culture.” Rosseinsky criticizes these shows as repetitive and out of touch with reality. Then she uses the new ITV drama “Douglas is Cancelled” as an example.
According to her, the show has an implausible plot and stereotypical characters. Katie warns that exaggerating cancel culture may aid political figures in exploiting the issue. She concludes that such dramas are unengaging and harmful, perpetuating a false narrative. Writers should explore real-life issues instead, going beyond the reliance on tropes about “woke” Gen-Zers.
Fox News
Source: Fox News
This Fox News feature article focuses on the remarkable weight loss journey of reality TV star Jon Gosselin. Written by Tracy Wright, it mainly highlights how he feels better about himself now. Known for “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” Gosselin reveals he shed 32 pounds with the help of CellSound therapy and the weight loss drug Semaglutide.
Gosselin opens up about the toll reality TV took on his well-being. He candidly admits his regret for not starting his weight loss journey sooner. The article also mentions Jon’s upcoming plans with his girlfriend Stephanie. It showcases Gosselin’s vulnerability alongside his determination, making it a relatable and inspiring read.
The Economist
Source: The Economist
A good title that stops you in your tracks is a rare thing. The Economist‘s ‘How the 16th Century Invented Social Media‘ does just that. It explores how Martin Luther and his allies spread revolutionary ideas during the Reformation. They leveraged pamphlets, ballads, and woodcuts to spread their message. It is much like how modern activists use social media.
Using historical context, the article shows that social media is not a new invention. Rather, it’s a continuation of a long tradition of sharing information. Then it discusses Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ which went viral, quickly spreading across Germany and beyond. This was made possible by a decentralized network of printers and distributors.
How to Write a Feature Article the Right Way
Source: Freepik
Ready to tell a story that keeps readers engaged? Follow these steps to write a captivating feature article.
1. Research thoroughly
A great topic idea sets the base for a compelling story. Hence, start by searching for great article ideas. The key to finding interesting article ideas is to be curious about what’s happening around you. Most importantly, look for what people are interested in.
2. Use our Free Blog Post Idea Generator
Want to save your time + effort and get unlimited catchy ideas in seconds? Use our Free Blog Post Idea Generator to search for good feature article topics. Once you generate and select a topic, research about it. Then, pick a unique angle that clicks with readers.
3. Create an outline
Plan your article structure by organizing key points logically. We’ve got another free tool to save you more time and make your writing process easier! Use our Free Blog Outline Generator. Enter your requirements in it and get a well-organized, customizable outline in seconds.
4. Generate a compelling headline
Your headline is the first impression on readers, so make it count! Keep it clear, concise, and attention-grabbing. Make sure it hints at the article’s content without giving too much away. To make it even better, incorporate the article’s surprising element (unique angle) in it.
💡Quick Tidbit: Content Gorilla’s Free Blog Idea Generator is a multi-purpose tool. You can leverage it to get countless ideas for attention-grabbing titles as well.
5. Craft an engaging lead
The feature article‘s first paragraph is known as the lead. Ensure to grab the reader’s attention from the very first sentence. Introduce the main idea by providing a glimpse of what’s to come. Use a captivating anecdote, startling fact, or thought-provoking question to draw readers in.
6. Write a structured and descriptive body
Remember, a feature story does not follow a regular news reporting format. Use descriptive language and firsthand perspectives to bring your topic to life. Develop the article with clear, well-organized sections. Every sentence should contribute meaningfully.
💡Quick Tip: Integrate relevant quotes from experts and engaging anecdotes to add authenticity and human interest. Incorporate catchy visuals to break up the text and make the article more enjoyable.
7. Finalize with a strong conclusion
The conclusion is often overlooked while writing a feature article. End with a strong conclusion, summarizing key points and reinforcing the article’s main message. Leave readers with a lasting impression, whether it’s a call to action, a thought-provoking insight, or a powerful statement.
Lastly, proofread and refine your article. Correct grammatical errors, improve clarity, and enhance its overall quality. Once done, it’s ready for publishing!
FAQs
Who writes feature articles?
Anyone who researches and writes an in-depth article on a specific topic or event is a feature writer. In particular, journalists, writers, or magazine bloggers craft feature stories.
What are feature articles‘ core focus?
The primary focus of a feature article is to provide in-depth insights into a particular topic or story.
How long is a feature article?
A feature article typically ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 words. The length varies, depending on the topic and publication requirements.
Final Thoughts
What are feature articles? Today we answered this frequently asked question. A feature article goes beyond the obvious facts to explore trendy news in greater detail. Take inspiration from our all-in-one guide about feature articles and start writing impactful feature stories today! Let us know in the comments which section of this article you loved the most.
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