Characteristics of Feature
A feature article is
not fiction, neither is it a one-sided account of an interested party. Rather,
it is a balanced report reflecting all the angles of the story. This is why
Okenwa in distinguishing a feature from a story states that:
While a news writer will normally stick to facts and report
them as a matter of fact, without embellishment or comments of any kind, the
feature writer offers more than bare facts. He can add flavour to his
story. He can
embellish the facts,
background them, entertain comments… and interpret them. He
uses anecdotes, descriptions and humour. He uses more factual and imaginative
language. And his story can be more
subjective; maybe, even
more entertaining.
1. Less-perishable
This is a very important feature of feature articles. This
simply means that a feature article does not perish, unlike the story which
becomes stale the next day. This is because there is usually a time-frame on
the news story which makes the story lose value if not published within the
time-frame. The feature story is not attached to such time-frames since it is
usually carefully selected
and created at
the feature writer’s convenience.
2. Cannot be
scooped
This means that someone’s particular feature article cannot
be published in its originality before hand, by another writer.
3. Can be created from dull/ordinary ideas or
issues
There is actually no rigidity in the selection of a feature
topic. Hence, any topic or issue can be featured. In the past, certain topics
or issues were considered too
trivial to be
published. However, with
the development of the press, ideas and topics which previously would
have been considered inconsequential became the toast of feature writer. In
other words, the choice of topics for features includes both the serious and
trivial.
4. Give in-depth
information on topical issues
Feature articles give
in depth information
to the audience
about a particular topic. This
is because the writer must have investigated the topic before
presenting the different
angles to the
audience. Hence, features are written
under very relaxed atmosphere.
5. Selection of
topic is cautious
Feature articles are carefully selected because the feature
writer has to present something (topic) that is usually captivating; colorfully
and stylishly presented in a unique manner.
6. Delayed and more complete
Feature stories are
not as timely
as straight news
because time is required
for the indepth
investigation of the
topic. Hence, delay
in feature is pardonable,
when it is
justified with a
balanced report. Features are complete because they give all the sides
to the story and present a rounded perspective of it, thereby satisfying the
curiosity built up by the skeletal nature of straight news.
7 . Fleshy and
Colourful
The feature writer adds more flesh to the straight news to
make it a feature story. However, “fleshiness” does not mean undue padding and
stuffing of the material. The language of the feature is supposed to be
colourful, having been
written in figurative
and in flowery constructions. This colorful
language appeals to the sensory aspects of readers. This
kind of language
is quite different
from the formal language of straight news. It is
really more pictorial, informal and humorous.
Hence, it is
more attractive to
read. Suggestively, good feature articles
are read for
pleasure. So it
is a major
challenge of feature writers to
make their stories pleasurable to the reader.
8. Stylish
This means a unique or
peculiar way of
doing something which
is equally attractive in nature. Stylistic therefore, permits the
feature writer to use his own peculiar approach to writing which could be in
form of his own words romantic
expressions, captivating images or use of
language. Style differentiates one
writer from another
and it professionally allows
the writer to
shift his mode
of writing.
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