A news feature is a piece of journalistic writing about a topic that goes beyond the usual facts and analysis, to take the reader on a journey into the subject with the intention of entertaining, informing, or evoking sympathy or anger. It is one of the main subcategories of soft news, which also includes human interest stories.
To write a news feature, start by thinking of a topic that would be interesting to readers, perhaps a subject that hasn’t been widely reported in the mainstream media or something with a broader appeal than what’s being covered right now. You can find inspiration by reading the newspaper or talking to friends and family. Once you have an idea, spend time researching it thoroughly to be able to fully inform the reader on what the article is all about.
Unlike a news article lead, a news feature lede focuses on telling a story that will capture the reader’s attention from the beginning of the piece. A good way to do this is by using a quote from the person involved in the story, or a statement that gives an overview of the subject.
From there, begin the actual story with a concise yet detailed paragraph that clearly states the story’s topic, where and when it took place, who is involved and why the subject is important. If the topic is a current issue, such as crime or poverty, focus on the local effects of the subject and include large-scale statistics that put your report in context.
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