A news feature is an opportunity to use the storytelling skills that probably drew you to journalism in the first place. Often, this genre takes an in-depth look at a current event, an ongoing issue or situation, a place, or a person. Unlike hard news, which is often urgent and fast-paced, a good feature can take its time and provide readers with a well-rounded, entertaining, or informative read.
Feature stories can also take the form of an investigative or personal essay. They may focus on a particular subject, such as a sports team or athlete, a particular community, or a family history. Often, these pieces are long and use a narrative style to engage the reader.
Unlike hard news, which is often based solely on facts, a good feature story relies on creativity and subjectivity to make an emotional connection with the reader. It can be entertaining, saddening, or uplifting.
While a local focus is important for a news feature, it’s also beneficial to include large-scale statistics. If you’re covering an ongoing issue like homelessness or drug epidemics, for example, interview experts who can give you data that validates your anecdotal observations.
A good news feature will use a mix of data, images and video to show what’s going on in the story. It will also include quotes that offer a unique perspective on the situation from the people involved. A news feature should also include a call-to-action that encourages the reader to take action or learn more about the topic.