WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?:Meeting demands of readers

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 04

WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?

A feature bears close similarities with the news-story, as it gives the readers facts in an interesting form,

and is framed and adapted to rapid reading. As compared to a news-story, a feature is expanded beyond

the basic fact rather is fully supplemented with greater information. A feature usually covers all the

underlying causes as well as the background of the news-story.

From the study of the nature and definition of a feature, we may deduce the prominent and major analytic

features and characteristics, which make a good feature.

Compose collected material and data efficiently

Another basic characteristic and attribute of a good feature is to compose collected material and data

efficiently. The underlying point is the skill and ability to write clearly, accurately and with imaginative

appeal. It should adopt a style of writing commensurate with the public genius and popular consciousness

to make it a delectable and entertaining piece of prose. It should be simple, idiomatic and commonly

intelligible to absorb the attention of the readers generally.

Facts and figures

A feature must know the importance of correct facts and figures. It must be realised that there is

nothing, which could be substantiated sans facts and figures. And there must be nothing divorced

from reality.

The features should be based on facts and figures, whose accuracy should not be questioned. Their

accuracy should be consolidated and unquestionable.

Besides this, features should be characterised with thoroughness, complete in all respects as to be readily

understandable and not lacking in any phase. Features are understood to be composed and designed to

convey a sense of completeness in its contents and the intended message.

The subjects of the features are usually derived from the news-stories originating in the society. The facts

should be sifted through wide reading, research and thorough investigation, with close touch to human

interest. Only those feature writers will hold interest of their readers, whose features are based on facts,

complete in all respects, thoroughness and clarity as well as accuracy.

A feature must research more facts, because he has enough time at his disposal. Features may be planned

in advance in such a way that they are published at the time of some important events, for example,

inauguration of some project or exhibition, Republic Day or Independence Day, anniversary etc. When a

feature is published in this way to coincide with some events, its value and importance increases greatly.

Meeting demands of readers

A good and experience feature writer always keeps before him the demands of the readers, which

warrants him a careful thinker and a sincere person, who give full weight to the basic elements of truth

and accuracy. It implies that he should be well-read man, willing to consult the standard publications and

books and work methodically by keeping the data and material in proper manner. He should be ready to

work hard willing in a business-like manner and not subject to a mood, or inspiration. They are generally

equipped with the proper initiative. He should be mentally alert and prepared to find out the ideas and

material, with a keen sense for his subjects and inspiring materials.

Instruct and Entertain

It must tell the reader how to go about certain things mentioned in the subject of feature!

Without the inspiration, enthusiasm and confidence into the readers, the objectives of feature articles will

be nullified. The features are meant to arouse noble feelings among the readers to think loftily about their

social, cultural, economic and political establishments and allied problems and ailments.

Features should be aimed at creating zeal to think about their national problems, and to take practical part

in the campaigns to solve them, and in mobilising the other forces. In short, features not only mobilise the

public opinion, but also motivate them to think sympathetically and patriotically about their local,

provincial and national problems.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Sometimes the feature writers take up light articles in order to match the generally depressing contents of

the newspapers. As understood, news-stories are commonly impersonal, unattractive, bare facts, which do

not absorb the attention of the readers generally. In view of this context, some feature writers adopt the

light articles, which are eagerly sought. Therefore, these lightly written articles provide amusement and

entertainment. Some of these feature writers become very popular with their readers who eagerly wait for

their articles, which may come once or twice a week. These feature writers can even amuse and entertain

their readers by writing about very commonplace subjects like domestic problems, problems of the

newly-weds, husband and wife problems, personal crisis of mankind etc. There is no doubt that the least

attended subject as a feature is always a good piece of journalism.

To achieve this, some feature writers take up another type of feature called the 'Personality Column', who

filter the news through the mesh of their own personalities to give it an individual touch. Sometimes,

these feature writers also give an idiosyncratic slant to their features.

These features are written regarding politics or some at other subjects. Generally, these features are

written in a very light vein. Some of these features are social or political satires and have sarcasm.

Keen observation

A realisation that from nearly every news event usually at least one feature story can be written

Another cardinal characteristic of a good feature is the keen sense of observation to detect those

interesting points, which usually escape the eyes of a common man. The writer should be a man to

possess the ability and to have a keen nose to sense the matters of interest around his environment,

particularly the social set-up in which he resides permanently. Without, the keenness and curiosity, his

feature shall not be able to find out the matters of common interest, and nor shall it be able to share that

interest.

Written off-the-cuff

Sometimes, features may have to be written without much notice. For example, if some event of great

importance takes place either in a foreign country or in one's own country, then a feature may have to be

written quickly. Recently, an intense earthquake struck and caused colossal loss of life and property in the

AJK and adjoining areas, a number of feature articles appeared in several newspapers. The subject was

dealt with in details, pointing out how the earthquake takes place, the destruction caused by an earthquake

and the research for methods of predicting earthquakes etc.

Human interest

Another characteristic of features is human interest or human value. This is a very popular source of

writing articles. Such features can be written on ever-green subjects like health family, the equality

between men and women, industry, economics etc. Now-a-days, many newspapers and magazines are full

of features on freedom of the sex and other sexual practices. Features regarding the private lives of past

and present important personalities, film stars etc., also quite popular. Many features have been written on

the subject of divorce and its consequences.

Divergent subjects

The writing of a controversial feature itself starts a very heated debate either through subsequent articles

or through letters to the editor, criticising or appreciating the feature.

Features are also written on certain social, cultural and economic problems which have aroused

considerable public interest, for example the juvenile delinquency, deteriorating law and order situation,

increased in eve incidents, daylight robberies, gold chain snatching and ladies purse snatching etc.

Sometimes, through these features a sort of running debate goes on in the press supporting or opposing a

particular subject.

Constructive approach

Features include the elements of constructive and reformatory approach, criticism, commentary, hard

facts and events, statistical data, opinions and suggestions etc., which become naturally the centre of

readers' attention. Feature even points out the corrupt elements in the various departments as well as the

black sheep, and subject them to some extent of accountability.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Meeting demands of the readers

In the present age, the newspapers and the periodical cannot ignore the likes and dislikes, requirements,

demands of the public psychology. Long articles with drab heaps of information, facts and figures are not

consistent with the popular temperaments. That is the key of the success of the features as well as the

papers. People like simple narrative and direct address to them. Viewed from the above context, feature

appears the only branch of journalism, which provides entertainment, instruction and education, interest

to the people.

Attractive headlines

Features are based usually on the news-stories, whereas the news originates from the happenings in the

society. Another demand of the feature is its attractive headlines, which add to the beauty of the feature as

well as attract the attention of the readers. The main element in the headline is its dramatic style, fashion

and mood and suspense therein.

Suitability of style, form and content

Nothing must be beyond acceptable norms though style should be there, and nothing deliberately done in

order to impress readers. Form must be accompanied by the well-constructed and maintained content,

which must be to the point and concerning the issue being discussed.

Using divergent tools

A news-story and a feature also differ as towards its contents, structure and form. A news-story is a

somewhat a business-like matter to be disposed of in a business-like manner in a traditional and

conventional form and structure. Whereas, a feature is written off-the-track manner, in an unconventional

manner, keeping in view the psyche of the people and in commonly understood language and idiom.

The news-story is written in a cold and logical manner, whereas a feature is designed to appeal to the

emotions and passions of the people. In a feature, commonly-understood and simple language is used, and

all the relevantly useful elements of dramatic are utilized to the full extent.

Guidance

Tell the reader how to react to certain situations, and how he must be thinking while considering a

particular aspect of life or society. The feature must be considering it an obligation that it should guide the

reader by telling him what is the issue besides sympathising with the reader's situation if appropriate.

Summarise any actions required of your readers, and any follow up action items required of you for them.

The objectives of a news-story are basically to communicate inform but the basic and bare facts; whereas

a feature aims at instruction, information, knowledge besides missionary objectives for the improvement

of morals and betterment of the lot of the people.

A feature may include in its study of the subject; all the information, background of the matter, or the

causes ascribed to a particular event. A news-story usually has to be subjected to the strict demands of the

dead line, in other words, a reporter has limited time to dispose of the news-story, whereas a feature

writer has ample time at his disposal and has not to necessarily meet a deadline.

Criticism and comments

Criticism and comments bring to focus what you want to highlight, which is done by bringing in

knowledge to give satisfaction through knowledge. Interestingly, it never means the feature is divorced

from reality, as it is based on facts and actual events.

A feature usually aims at imparting and delivering the desired effect, instruction, guidance as well as

entertainment to all the readers, including those who are already well-aware of the facts and figures of the

subject and those who happen to examine and peruse the subject for the first time.

Common and personal problems

Something related to `me' interests me more is the principle for bringing the society under focus besides

highlighting national and international scenarios.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Pictorial importance

A feature must never ignore the importance of charts and maps, as a full page sans any pictures looks dull

and drab. Pictures and related material arouse readers' interest instead of full page without pictures, which

bores the readers. For this purpose, bullets and blocks can be used.

Literary style

A feature must be written in good language and must carry the value of a literary style coupled with

creative writing; otherwise the feature can become trite or boring.

Novelty

This comes through difference in content and pictures with the supporting information and examples. It

must be kept in mind how these relate to your readers.

Simplicity

Simplicity in presenting facts should be along with the understandable language to the reader.

Emphasis on layout

Features generally engross the attention of the readers from the very beginning to the end. Moreover

special emphasis is laid on its best possible layout, make-up, pictures, and highlights, and are allotted

special and prominent place in the papers.

A nicely written feature always deserves a prominent place in a newspaper. Of course, a good feature

should have an interesting beginning, a captivating middle and a worth remembering ending.

Logical results and conclusions

There is nothing, which could be considered as good journalism when it is not based on logic and reality.

A feature must have a strong conclusion with pragmatic thinking working behind that. The conclusions

round out the feature by linking up the conclusion with the beginning.

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