WRITING FOR NEW MEDIA
Module 7
Writing The Feature
Objectives
- Introduce the parts of the feature essay.
- Use the parts as a guide to write the feature essay.
Methods
- Critical thinking.
- Note-taking.
- Writing.
Introduction
The last module established everything that you need to plan out a feature essay. Right now you should have at least two subjects in mind. This module will walk you through the parts of the feature essay as the guide to writing it, so you can decide which of those two subjects you want to work on.
Note that whatever subject you use for the feature essay, will also be the subject you’ll use for the About Page, which is in Module 8. This means less work for you in terms of background research and preparation.
For this module, go back to the 300 word descriptions that you wrote at the end of Module 6. As we go through the parts of the Feature Essay, see which of your two options actually fulfill the requirements for writing a good feature.
Parts of the Feature Essay
(1) The Title. As we’ve said since the start of this term, the title of your work is always important. This is what your reader will see first, and it needs to be a title that (a) will make her want to continue reading, and (b) will give an indication of what the topic is without giving away all that you say in the essay.
(2) The Headline. You know those feature essays in our readings that have one or two sentences right beneath the title? Those are called headlines, or lead. This is an expansion on your title, giving the reader a very quick preview of what they can expect in the feature essay.
The headline needs to contain two things: the angle you’re taking in your writing, and the controlling idea or your main point. Think of the headline as your one to two sentence opportunity to tell a reader what you’re talking about and why they should care about it. This is precise and concise, while being exciting.
Writing Exercise
Look at your two feature essay topics. Write a title and a headline for both of them. See which one is more interesting even to you, as a reader. Which essay would you want to read? Consult with your teacher if you can’t decide which one’s more interesting.
(3) Introduction. The feature essay’s introduction carries a lot of weight. As with any essay, this is where the tone, perspective, and general attitude of the feature essay is established.
Important note: even when you’re talking about an advocacy or issue that is urgent and important, the feature requires a particular tone that makes your reader want to read about this urgent matter. This tone and attitude are crucial to establishing this essay as a feature essay, as opposed to just an opinion piece. See the samples in our reading list.
What can your introduction contain? Generally, you need a hook—literally something that will get your readers hooked on your essay—and an expansion on the angle and controlling idea from your headline. Here are some other options for your introduction.
- An unusual statement that provokes your reader’s interest—unless that statement is already in your title or headline.
- Necessary background information on your subject. While you can presume that you reader knows a little about your subject, providing the basics will allow for you to establish common ground with your reader.
- An invitation to the reader to take sides on an issue that is related to your subject, or on the advocacy you’re talking about.
- A particular incident or event or anecdote that is related to the subject, which might make it appeal, or make it more familiar, to the reader.
- Facts or statistics that are presented as a surprise to the reader, which makes him or her wanting to learn more.
- A joke or humorous story that also establishes the tone of the rest of the feature essay.
- A description of a situation, event, or feeling related to the subject.
(4) Body or Main. The body of the feature essay contains more details and facts, which allow you to formulate your opinions about your subject. This is where you convince your reader of the value of your subject, the importance of discussing it, and your particular experience with or of it.
The body of the feature essay can contain any and all of the following:
- The subjects personal opinions. If you did an interview, these would be direct quotes.
- Support for the writers’ assertions, from facts to statistics, to interviews and other people’s (expert) opinions. This means you would be making direct quotes from sources or paraphrasing.
- Anecdotes and stories to further dramatize the narrative you are telling about your subject.
- Specific names, places, dates especially for advocacy or issue based features.
(5) Conclusion. As with any other kind of essay, the conclusion is where you tie together your whole essay.
The conclusion of the feature essay can contain any of the following:
- A reminder of the article’s main idea or assertion about its subject.
- If you started with an anecdote, you can go back to it in the conclusion. If you started with an interesting story, you’d have to go back to that story in the conclusion.
- A suggestion about what to do next, given the subject featured, and the possible actionable assertions in the essay.
- An encouragement for the reader to change his or her attitude or opinion about the subject.
Writing Your Feature
The list above of the parts of the feature essay, along with suggestions for what each part might contain, is also already your guide to writing the feature essay for this class. It’s now time to start writing your feature essay. It is 900 words minimum to 1,200 words maximum. Follow the format and submission process detailed in the Basics Module. Good luck! ***
