Feature articles are storytelling in its most engaging form. Unlike straightforward news pieces, feature articles delve deeper, bringing a narrative that’s rich with emotion, texture, and context. They aim to resonate with readers on a personal level, engaging both the mind and the heart.
Writing such articles often requires a blend of creativity, structure, and research, a process that can be both rewarding and challenging.
Fortunately, tools like Addlly AI can simplify this process by offering research assistance, content structure suggestions, and creative prompts, making it easier to focus on crafting a story that connects deeply with readers!
This article will explore 10 tips on how to write a feature article like a pro and different types of feature articles.
What is a Feature Article?
A feature article is a piece of non-fiction writing that goes beyond the basic who, what, where, and when. It tells a more in-depth story by exploring the “why” and “how” of an event, a person, a trend, or a broader social issue.
Feature articles can be written to appear in magazines, newspapers, or online media, and they can take many forms, from human interest pieces to travel articles.
Feature articles generally aim to entertain, inform, or inspire readers by offering unique perspectives story ideas, or insights that connect on a personal level. They often require more research, narrative building, and descriptive language than standard news articles, creating a piece that is both informative and engaging.
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10 Steps to Write a Feature Article
1. Select a Compelling Topic for Your Feature Article
When deciding how to write a feature article, focus on a compelling feature story that resonates with your target audience. Great feature stories aim to revolve around stories, history, or human experiences that evoke emotion. Consider issues surrounding a particular topic that offer fresh perspectives.
Successful feature writers find interesting stories that align with their readers’ interests, making them more relatable and impactful.
Additionally, your feature story should offer a unique angle or fresh perspective that differentiates it from routine news coverage. Explore underreported issues, hidden histories, or firsthand accounts from marginalized voices.
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2. Research and Gather Background Information
Solid research is essential when writing feature articles. Utilize online research, consult books, and conduct interviews to collect accurate and relevant background information for your feature stories. This allows you to provide a thorough exploration of the topic and give insight, especially if you are writing a historical article.
Ensure that all sources are properly cited to maintain transparency and ethical journalism standards. When incorporating research, aim to weave it seamlessly into your story rather than overwhelming your readers with raw data or heavy exposition.
Instead, use research to enrich your storytelling by writing vivid descriptions, relevant anecdotes, and illustrative quotes that highlight key points.
3. Understand Your Audience and Tailor Content
Tailoring your feature story to your target audience is crucial for creating an engaging feature article. Know what your readers care about, what evokes emotions for them, and how to maintain their interest. Feature stories focus on providing readers insight and delve deeper into specific individual’s character or broader social issues.
For example, if your audience is composed of socially conscious millennials, a feature article about climate change may write about grassroots activism, individual initiatives, or eco-friendly businesses.
On the other hand, if your readers are business professionals, you may want to write how companies can mitigate their environmental impact through innovative policies and practices.
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4. Conduct Effective Interviews to Add Depth
Interviews can make your feature article more vivid and relatable. Identify subjects who can offer firsthand perspectives, such as public figures or individuals with unique experiences. Gather personal anecdotes and sensory details that will bring the article to life and breathe life into the feature stories.
Effective interviews require preparation. Research your subjects, craft thoughtful questions, and consider potential follow-up questions that allow for deeper exploration. Avoid asking generic, yes-or-no questions. Instead, prompt your subjects to share anecdotes, emotions, and sensory details.
For example, instead of asking, “Do you like your work?” ask, “Can you describe a moment when you felt proud of what you do?”
5. Craft a Strong Opening Paragraph
The first paragraph of your feature story or article should grab readers’ attention and set the tone. Consider using a rhetorical question, a powerful quote, or an interesting angle to create intrigue. This opening paragraph establishes the overall theme and hooks the reader right from the start in your feature stories.
For example, if you’re writing about a scientist developing life-saving medical technology, you might open with an emotionally gripping anecdote about a patient whose life was saved by the invention. This kind of opening captures readers’ interest and creates an emotional hook that keeps them invested.
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6. Build a Compelling Narrative Arc
Many feature stories follow a narrative arc, guiding readers through a journey. Incorporate conflict, resolution, and moments of reflection in the feature article. Use descriptive language and emotive language to highlight key points. A strong narrative arc honors and explores shared history, and makes the reader feel connected.
Use descriptive and emotive language to create vivid scenes and strong emotional impact. For historical articles, explore the historical context thoroughly and tie it back to modern relevance, making the story resonate with today’s audience.
Add elements like conflict and resolution to create a sense of closure or transformation by the end of your feature.
7. Add Expert Perspectives and Diverse Voices
Including perspectives from other writers, subject matter experts, and individuals impacted by the feature stories adds depth and credibility. This provides a more comprehensive view of the particular topic and makes your feature story more robust.
Expert opinions can contextualize information, clarify complex points, or offer critical insight that lends authority to your writing. Equally important, featuring personal stories adds emotional weight and illustrates how larger issues affect individuals in meaningful ways.
To ensure accuracy and fair representation, consider fact-checking and obtaining consent from your interviewees for any sensitive or personal information included in your article.
8. Balance Objectivity with Emotional Appeal
Feature articles strike a balance between factual reporting and emotional storytelling. Use active voice and personal anecdotes to keep the reader engaged while providing credible, well-researched information in the feature story.
Integrating human elements can evoke emotions while maintaining journalistic integrity. Use active voice to create urgency and momentum in your narrative, but be careful not to compromise journalistic integrity by sensationalizing your story.
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9. Write Engaging Subheadings and Short Paragraphs
Break up your whole article with catchy headlines and short paragraphs to improve readability. Clear subheadings provide context and help readers navigate the narrative in the feature article. Each section should maintain focus and add value, keeping them fully aware of the feature story.
Paragraphs improve readability, especially for online articles, by making it easier for people to digest information in manageable chunks. Each paragraph should be well-focused, with sentences flowing logically from one point to the next.
This structure maintains momentum and keeps them fully engaged as they navigate your feature story.
10. Edit, Fact-Check, and Promote Your Feature Article
Once written, thoroughly edit and proofread your feature article for clarity, grammar, and consistency. Fact-check all claims to maintain credibility. After publication, promote your news story through social media, forums, and professional networks to reach a wider audience.
This step is important for amplifying the impact of your compelling story.
After publishing your feature article, promote it strategically through social media, forums, email newsletters, and professional networks. Effective promotion expands your reach and invites readers to engage with your content through comments, shares, and discussions.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to create feature articles that not only capture attention but also leave a lasting impression. Successful feature stories inspire, inform, and provoke thought, qualities that set outstanding feature writing apart from other forms of content.
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Different Types of Feature Articles
Feature articles come in many forms, each with a distinct purpose and style. Let’s look at some of the most common types.
1. Human Interest Stories
Human stories focus on people and their experiences. They draw readers in by connecting them to another person’s own journey through, triumphs, and challenges. These are often emotionally charged and aim to inspire empathy, understanding, or admiration.
2. News Features
News features expand upon recent news events, for example, providing background, analysis, or personal perspectives that help people better understand the broader impact. Unlike standard news reports, which focus on the facts, news features dig deeper into the story’s implications and context.
3. Lifestyle Features
Lifestyle features explore topics related to daily life, such as health, relationships, fashion, or wellness. These feature type focuses on appealing to readers’ interests and often include practical advice or tips on how to improve certain aspects of their lives.
4. Seasonal Features
Seasonal features are tied to specific times of the year, like holidays, summer vacation or major events. They provide timely content that resonates with people based on the current season or occasion, such as holiday gift guides, back-to-school tips, or summer travel ideas.
5. Interview Pieces
Interview features focus on conversations with interesting individuals. They offer insights into the interviewee’s personality, opinions, and achievements, helping readers connect with people they admire or want to learn more about.
6. Color Stories
Color stories add vibrancy and depth to events by focusing on the mood, atmosphere, and lesser-known details that make the event memorable. These stories don’t just honor historical events and report what happened; they describe how it felt to be there, offering a more immersive experience.
7. Profile Features
Profile features spotlight a particular person, organization, or business, delving into their background, goals, and impact. These articles offer readers an in-depth look at the subject, often highlighting what makes them unique or influential.
8. Behind The Scenes
Behind-the-scenes features take readers into places they might not usually access, such as movie sets, business operations, or event planning rooms. These satisfy their curiosity by the unusual process and providing an insider’s view of how things work or come together.
9. Travel Features
Travel features capture the spirit and experience of a location, often using descriptive language to transport readers to a new place. They explore not only the sights but also the culture, people, and atmosphere that make a destination special.
10. Instructional Features
Instructional features provide readers with step-by-step guidance on how to do something, whether it’s cooking a dish, completing a DIY project, or mastering a skill. These are practical, offering them valuable knowledge they can apply in their own lives.
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Write Compelling Feature Articles Effortlessly with Addlly AI
Addlly AI makes writing feature articles simple and stress-free. With its advanced tools like AI Writer, Social Media Post Generator, etc., you can create engaging, well-structured articles in minutes. The platform offers AI-driven suggestions to enhance your content, helping you write with clarity and impact.
Whether you need research support, keyword research, or creative ideas, Addlly AI handles it all. Its easy-to-use interface guides you through crafting compelling headlines, detailed body paragraphs, and strong conclusions.
Save time and focus on your story while Addlly AI takes care of the technical work. Perfect for bloggers, marketers, and writers aiming for high-quality content effortlessly.
Take the first step towards transforming your writing process, request a free demo of Addlly AI today!
FAQs – How to Write a Feature Article
How to start writing a feature article?
To start writing a feature article, begin by choosing a compelling topic and conducting thorough research. Create an outline with a strong lead to capture interest, followed by a well-structured body with facts, anecdotes, and expert insights. Conclude with a memorable ending or call to action. Aim to engage, inform, and connect with your readers throughout.
What are the characteristics of a good feature article?
A good feature article is engaging, well-researched, structured, and emotionally resonant. It tells a story, incorporates real voices through quotes, and uses description to bring the subject to where someone’s life is.
Why is it important to write feature articles?
Feature articles are important because they go beyond surface-level facts, offering deeper insights, context, and human connection. They have the power to educate, inspire, and entertain while fostering empathy and understanding.
What are the challenges of writing a feature article?
Writing a feature article can be challenging because it requires thorough research, a clear narrative structure, and an engaging writing style. Balancing fact with storytelling, maintaining accuracy, and appealing to emotions are common challenges faced by writers.
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