Feature Writing
HARD VS. SOFT STORIES
Criterion
Straight News
Feature Story
Presentation of facts
Objective
Subjective
Time element
Timely
Timeless
Language
Simple
Elegant
Structure
Inverted pyramid
Pie, funnel, square
Main function
To inform
To illuminate
To entertain
ALITO L. MALINAO
Feature, Editorial and Opinion Writing
EXERCISE
.
1. HARD or SOFT?
Arroyo gives Coast Guard 15 days to complete ferry probe

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQUIRER.net, First Posted 12:35:00 07/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given the Philippine Coast Guard 15 days to
complete its findings on what has been considered as the worst sea mishap that occurred during typhoon
“Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).
The MV Princess of the Stars, owned by Sulpicio Loines Inc., capsized off Romblon province last June 21 as it was
battered by huge waves spawned by Frank.
Over 800 passengers and crew went down, with authorities saying that 57 have survived and 161 have died. But the
number is expected to rise following search and retrieval operations. These were temporarily suspended
however when 10,000 kilos of pesticide identified as endosulfan was discovered in a 40-foot container aboard
the ship.
"The Coast Guard asked for 15 days within which they will submit their findings," the President said in a speech in
Davao del Sur during the province's 41st founding anniversary.
Arroyo said she was happy to be back in the country following a 10-day working visit to the United States.
She said she continued to be in touch with officials even when she was abroad to make sure that the needs of the
typhoon victims were addressed.
She added that the government has received extensive assistance in its search and recovery efforts and in
providing relief to the victims’ kin.*
2. HARD or SOFT?
Get and keep the best and the brightest

By Josie O. Santamaria, Philippine Daily Inquirer, First Posted 06:16pm (Mla time) 06/29/2008x
MANILA, Philippines--A common wail of nearly all organizations in our country is the exodus of their employees-managerial, professional and technical, skilled and semi-skilled--to other companies, here and abroad.
Companies make enormous investments in recruiting and selecting college graduates and in developing them to be
in their talent pool of successors, only to lose them to another company, or to another country. Organizations
don't have enough human power to propel its growth and stability. Our country doesn't have the talents and
skills needed for nation-building.
Filipinos are much sought-after; human resource seems to be our country's No. 1 export in recent years. The
situation is reaching crisis proportion. Many companies don't have "ready-now" or even "ready in one or two
years" candidates to take over senior leadership positions when the present occupants retire or migrate….
Recruiting talent
"The war for talent continues and is now stronger than ever" was the declaration of Renee Cecilia Valdez, Nestle
Philippines' learning and development head and HR partner, food and beverage business units and sales, and
one of the four speakers at the Career Systems' forum. She quoted the McKinsey Quarterly January 2008
issue which carried a strong advice to organizations to "constantly rethink the way [the organizations] plan to
attract, motivate and retain employees" and to "make talent a strategic priority.“
Generation Y appears to be flight risks. To them, there is no such thing as corporate loyalty. They are ever on the
lookout for greener pastures….
3. HARD or SOFT?
Ateneo teaching assistant found dead in schoolroom

By Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer, First Posted 03:29:00 07/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines – A teaching assistant of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) was found dead on the campus Monday in what the
police said was a case of suicide.
The body of Jose Lorenzo Tan, 24, was discovered by a utility worker in a room at the Department of Philosophy at around 6 a.m.,
according to a report from the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU).
AdMU watchmen told the police that Tan, a resident of Cubao, Quezon City, went inside the building at around 2 p.m. Sunday and told them
he was working on an assignment. As a teaching assistant, Tan’s main task at the department was to conduct research.
The report said the victim, who was enrolled in AdMU’s Graduate School, could have died of suffocation following the discovery of burnt
pieces of charcoal in his room.
QCPD-CIDU investigators said they found the room’s windows, door and other openings covered with plastic bags and cellophane,
apparently to ensure that “the smoke coming from the charcoal would not escape.” One of the policemen on the case said they found
in Tan’s laptop several stories from the Internet about the harmful effects of charcoal smoke. Probers said they were checking
information that it was the victim’s third attempt to take his own life.
Relatives described Tan as “a loner but very intelligent.” Police added that Tan’s family also told them he was “obsessed” with philosophical
readings that espoused suicide.
An official statement from AdMU said Tan, who graduated from the school in 2006 with a management engineering degree, “had been
feeling depressed for some time and investigation showed that he took his own life. The family requests that their privacy be
respected at this time.”
Sonia Araneta, head of the university’s Communication and Public Relations Office, declined to give more details on the incident.*
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
Is the article “hard” (a news story) or
“soft” (a feature story)?
What makes you think so? Justify your
answer.
If the article is “hard,” how will you
featurize it? Give at least two
suggestions.