Feature Article Writing (G082)

Complete List > Feature Article Writing

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

You've written reports, or news stories, or maybe scientific papers. But now you want to explain your story to a broader audience reading a magazine or newsletter, or to take your readers beyond the facts to an in-depth understanding of the issues. You want to write a feature article.

What is a feature, and how does it differ from other forms of writing? How do you go about researching, outlining, and writing a feature? Why is it one of the toughest types of story to write, yet one of the most rewarding?

If you want to write a feature that pulls in readers from the first paragraph and keeps them glued to the page until the last, then this workshop is for you.

Participants will read excellent features, to understand what makes them features, and what makes them work. They will learn how to make sure they have all of the information and interviews they need before putting pen to paper. And then they will learn how to structure the story and how to approach the writing in an original, fresh way. Group interaction and inspiration are part of the experience, sharing ideas and approaches in a constructive environment. Come with ideas for feature stories you would like to write.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• How to identify a feature, and how it differs from other stories
• Research needed to prepare a feature
• Finding and approaching interview targets
• Conducting interviews specifically for features
• Common structures for features
• Preparing an outline
• Deciding what to include and leave out
• Writing creatively - finding inspiration and fresh ways of saying old things
• The all-important beginning and end of a feature
• Why the three asterisks?
• Drafting and rewriting

WHAT WILL YOU TAKE AWAY?

• Examples of good features
• Workbook
• List of resource material for further reading
• Ideas, research plan, outline and some draft writing for your own feature story

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMPETENCY

• Thinking Things Through: Innovating through analysis and ideas
• http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tal/kcl/ekl-eng.asp

Agenda
8:45 - 9:15	Introductions and Workshop Overview
9:15 - 10:30	What is a Feature? Read and discuss examples Contrast with other types of writing/stories Ideas for features - keeping the scope right Exercise: prepare and share ideas
10:30 - 10:45	Break
10:45 - 12:00	Researching a Feature Having a research plan Finding the facts - sources Interview "hit list" Exercise: prepare a research plan for your feature Interviewing for a feature Exercise: interview a colleague Risk of "over-researching" Feature Structure Common structures with examples Exercise: pick a structure for your idea
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 14:30	Prepare an Outline What an outline looks like Deciding what to put in and leave out Organizing the pieces Exercise: prepare an outline for your story Put Pen to Paper Creativity - say something original, in a new way Exercise: creative writing Beginnings and endings: key to a good feature Exercise: write the beginning and end
14:30 - 14:45	Break
14:45 - 16:20	Put Pen to Paper (Continued) How to structure the body, using the outline, leaving breaks Head and deck From Paper to Press First drafts and rewrites Getting feedback Negotiating with editors The publication process
16:20 - 16:30	Wrap-up and Workshop Evaluation Participants will complete a short evaluation