A news feature is a narrative-based story that provides readers with a deeper understanding of a particular issue. These stories differ from straight news reporting in that they use creativity and subjectivity to connect with readers, evoking empathy, anger or praise. However, they are still based on good, solid information that is accurate and true.
When writing a news feature, it is important to focus on the people involved in the topic that you are covering. It’s also crucial to have a clear, concise thesis statement that will serve as the basis for your entire article. The rest of the content should build off of this thesis and support it with interviews, quotes, analysis and evidence.
While a news feature is often about a particular person, it’s important to remember that it can also be about a group of people or an aspect of a larger issue. It is helpful to provide a broader perspective of the issue that you are covering by including data and statistics about how it impacts the lives of other people.
For example, if you are writing about poverty, include the number of children who have been rescued from housing complexes that have caught fire. This will show readers that their local issues are part of a bigger picture and help to bolster your argument. When interviewing sources, be sure to ask if they would be willing to talk about the larger issue that you are addressing in your story, and be politely persistent if they refuse.