WRITING A FEATURE ARTICLE
Now that we have looked at what a feature article looks like, we
now need to focus on how to write one.
1) Tell true stories (anecdotes). Conversational writing is founded upon
the concept of storytelling. When you discuss the newest iPhone with your
friends or give a sibling a bit of advice, there is usually some personal account
involved. People love to talk about themselves, so even when they are
helping others, they end up talking about their own experiences. Tell stories
that are relevant and interesting to listen to, but make sure that they are
crafted in such a way that the reader gains a clearer understanding of the
subject at hand, because of your anecdote.
TASK
Write a short anecdote about a time you felt proud of yourself.
2) Use literary devices. Give your writing a more artistic flair by using
some literary devices like:
* personification – applying human characteristics to a non-human thing
E.g. The huge wave crashed over me and swallowed me whole.
* metaphor – comparing one thing to another without “like” or “as”
E.g. Her smile was a bright, shining star, in my otherwise dreary day.
* simile – comparing one thing to another using “like” or “as”
E.g. The elephant’s leg was thick like a tree-trunk and his skin was as grey as
the concrete path he stood on.
* alliteration (great for headlines) – repetition of the first letter in each word
in a phrase or sentence
E.g. Marvellous, melodic music.
* onomatopoeia - a word that imitates the sound it makes
E.g. Bang! Crackle. Buzz.
A device exists to make writing more colourful, whether it be formal or
informal. Therefore, it is important for writing in a conversational style.
Conversational writing imitates speech, which is colourful by nature.
TASK
For each of the following, provide an example.
* Personification
* Metaphor
* Simile
* Alliteration
* Onomatopoeia
3) Abbreviations, Jargon and Slang.
The benefit of writing in an informal, conversational style (typical of most
feature articles in magazines), is that you can include familiar elements of
your everyday language, including abbreviations, jargon and slang. You must
ensure though, that these are common to the everyday vocabulary of your
target audience.
Abbreviations could include “OMG” or in a teen girl’s magazine, or “4WD” in
a magazine for car travel enthusiasts. While typically in your writing in English
you would be encouraged to avoid the use of abbreviations, in the case of a
feature article, they are acceptable and help create a conversational style and
give the writer a “voice”.
Can you think of some abbreviations you use when writing to your
friends?
Jargon refers to language used by people within a specific occupational field
or specific interest group. Specific jargon relating to your magazine’s purpose
and your target audience should be used in your feature article. For example,
film-making jargon would be used in a magazine like “Empire” which targets
film enthusiasts. Jargon such as “high-key and low-key lighting” might not
make sense to all people, but the target audience should understand that
these words refer to bright and dark lighting in film. As another example, a
magazine about AFL football, which targets avid football fans, could include
jargon like “disposal” and “holding the ball”. This language is specific to
football and understood only by those who have a great interest and
knowledge in the game.
Can you think of some jargon specific to an area of your interest?
Slang refers to the use of informal words and expressions that are not
considered standard in our language, but are common-place amongst
different groups of people. Slang includes phrases such as “See-ya later,
Alligator”, and words like “mozzies” (mosquitoes), “chuck” (throw) and
“heaps” (a big amount)”.
Can you think of some slang you use in everyday life?
WRITING A FEATURE ARTICLE - CHECKLIST
STRUCTURE
Article Title
Page Number
Headline
Tagline
Subtitles
Quotes
Images
LANGUAGE
Anecdotes
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Abbreviations
Jargon
Slang
Depending on your article topic, you might also include:
Expert Opinion
Facts and Statistics