Learn about the different types of features in journalism, from news features to opinion pieces, and how they enhance storytelling and engage readers.
Types of Features in Journalism
News Feature
A story that has its basis upon a timely news happening with a human interest angle is called a news feature.
Often a news happening can be made much more interesting or newsworthy by writing it in a semi-feature sort of thing A news feature is generally more-timely than a straight’ human interest or a long feature story.
Information Feature
This type does not use many of the fiction writer’s devices, since its purpose is to inform more than to entertain. It may be verv closely related to the so called “New Journalism”. Facts for this type are usually obtained from interviews, library research and personal observation.
To create interest, a feature writer, includes human interest elements in his feature. Its success depends upon the accuracy of facts and the style and form with which it is presented.
Personality Sketches
This type of feature is very popular among the readers as everybody wants to know about other people. These features are written about those men and women whose stories are worth telling because they are historical characters in whom interest services long after they are dead.
This type is not easy to write as it is an uphill task to portray a personality with artistic preciseness. Facts about the person are obtained from his friends, teachers, relatives and associates. While writing a personality sketch a feature writer must avoid, stereotyped pattern that finds it way into these features very often.
Personal Experience Story
This type is usually in the form of an interview It must deal with an unusual experience or a wohdeiful accomplishment The writer must be careful not to ablaze the subject but rather allow the facts to tell the story by themselves
Human Interest Story
Human interest sketches are written under the influence of humorous and pathetic incidents that are reported in the daily routine It usually develop from an ordinary incident or Situation.
but due to fantastic style of composition appeals to the emotions But it must be kept in mind that it is based upon facts of a timely nature. Its news value is almost nil and it would not have been published if it were not presented in an interesting and entertaining style Therefore it entertains more than it informs It may be written about almost anything i.e. person places, animals etc
Historical, Feature
Historical features, though they deal with events or personalities of the past, have interest for present day readers because the facts these features give,
- are timely
- are unique-
- throw new light on an old story
- debunk wrong popular beliefs.
- promote speculation and imagery among the readers.
Interpretative Feature
Interpretative features inform, and throw light in the background of certain problems.
The following topics are usually discussed under the heading of interpretative feature.
- Social problems
- Economic problems
- Political problems
- Problems of every day life.
Popularized Scientific Feature
Popularized scientific articles, bridging the gap which separated the scientist and journalist for a long time, present scientifically accurate facts in a non-technical and easily understood language.