2008 DISTRICT TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PAPER ADVISERS AND CAMPUS JOURNALISTS Peralta Elementary School Dingras II District,

Dingras, Ilocos Norte October 3, 2008

FEATURE WRITING F lowery E ntertaining A ppealing T imeless U nusual R eader-oriented E ducational STRUCTURE OF THE FEATURE ARTICLE A. The Feature Lead Feature story follows the pyramid structure. The details of the story are arranged according to the ascending order of importance, from the least important to the most important ones. It begins with a novelty lead. 1. Punch Lead. A striking introduction Examples: By the time youre reading my article, I would have been dead. When death takes your mother, it steals the world forever. 2. Staccato Lead. A series of words related to the topic and are written one after the other, a sentence formed by each phrase. Examples: a. I am Sheng. Thirty-five years old. Teacher. Risk-taker. Fighter. Married to my profession. I could say more positive things about me, modesty aside, but what I am most proud of is that I am able to live life enjoying the merits of touching young peoples lives. b. Physically exhausted. Emotionally emptied. Psychologically drained. These and a lot more envelop my being as I fight the bitterness of life. c. Swaying trees. Rustling brooks. Murmuring air breeze. Chirping birds. When will I again embrace this kind of environment? After two decades? A century? Never. d. A stunning impact. A blinding flash of light. And then, nothing.

a. b.

3. Question Lead. A thought-provoking question that captures the

b.

a. b.

interest of the readers. Examples: a. What good is money to you if youre going to die? Its not often that money can save someones life. If we are here to help others, what are others here for? c. How would you like to read my story that starts with an ending? I hope you will read it because all endings are also beginnings. 4. Descriptive Lead. It illustrates a mental picture of the subject to the reader. Examples: a. The dewdrops are still on the leaves of the flowers when I reached my destination. The cool weather caresses my face as I watched the birds flying freely with the rhythm of the wind in the gray horizon. I feel a sudden euphoria when I looked around. This is the big day I am going to conquer Ilocos Norte. b. As I watch the leaves swaying at the beat of the cool air, trees lifting up their branches to heaven, the clouds kissing the sky, the sun shaping its farewell scene, with the lovely shade of it the verdant grass, serene waters, golden rice fields I remember myself when my heart was still young. 5. Contrast Lead Example: In the 1990s a ten-centavo coin was already a treasure. Today, nobody wants to give it a second glance on the ground. 6. Quotation Lead Examples: a. Behind all stories is always a mothers story, because hers is where yours begins. b. There is no saint without a past and there is no sinner without a future. 7. Quoted Remarks Example: Play up the good news in your paper; plant pleasant things to your students so they will have a good environment. These words from Dr. Vilma Labrador are but a soothing balm to the teachers soul. 8. Teaser. A device to deceive the reader in order to arouse his curiosity. Examples When you want to die, you are spared. Where do women grow their curliest hair? Of course, its in Africa. But is it?

9. Freak Lead Examples: a. I love the flow of adrenaline as I furiously write the maddening rush to meet the deadline. b. For sale: A kidney. Suerte Amor, 28, resident of Solsona and father of seven children said yesterday that he was forced to sell his kidney to provide his family a bright future. 10. Suspended Interest Lead Example: With the head held high and eyes casting each one a dagger look, the lady suspect uttered in a low, quivering voice Im guilty your honor B. Body The body of the feature presents all the details expanding on ideas. It makes use of colorful descriptions, quotations, figures of speech, statistics, incidents, analogies and humor if appropriate. It provides the news peg or the significance of the story. The body explains the reason the story is being written. C. Ending 1. Suggested result/significance There are many Joy Baraoidan out there created by God. But rare are those who turn a dream into a throbbing reality. If you think you are like Joy, what are you waiting for? Start now! The world needs people like you. 2. Forecast/Prophecy The world will collapse soon, the stars will die anytime. The sun turns cold unless we value Gods creations. 3. A Quotation James claims that he is the most traveled students of mine. When asked why, he answered: Every leaf of a tree tells a significant tale of everything; every drop of water sings a history as old as time these and reading shape my mind and quench my thirst for wisdom. 4. Question on the readers mind The hands of the new Filipino toil for the love of creation. They turn the wheel of progress and hold high the torch of freedom freedom from want and hunger. Do you have these kinds of hands? 5. The Stinger Juan, the shy, lovable Juan, who couldnt hurt a fly turned out to be the ruthless, vicious rapist wanted by law in five provinces.

6. A Proverb Indeed, I have proven to myself what I believe is true from the very start of my nerve breaking climb to where I am now that Behind the dark clouds, the sun is still shining. 7. The Summary Ending Take it from the experts. Smoking is dangerous to your health. It may energize you as you think it does. It makes you feel manly but you may not live long enough to be one. TIPS IN WRITING A FEATURE ARTICLE 1. Write the lead that invites an audience in the story. 2. Use specific nouns, adjectives and adverbs. 3. Write clear, concise sentences. 4. Use a thread. Connect the beginning, body and conclusion of the story. 5. Use transitions. 6. Use dialogue when possible 7. Establish a voice. 8. Conclude with a climax. 9. Read. Read. Read. 10. Sharpen your skills. Lecture delivered by: SHERRYLYN MARIE M. REMIGIO Solsona National High School