A news feature goes beyond the basic outlines of a news story. It digs in to explain why and how. It also offers analysis and commentary on a particular angle of a subject. It can take the form of an interview or a Q&A. Its goal is to captivate the reader and entertain them.
The main subtypes of news feature are profile, historical, seasonal and how-to. They’re still objective and full of verified facts, but they often have more storytelling and description in them. Think of them as chocolate news compared to plain vanilla.
An interview or Q&A is a common way to do a profile feature. Asking the right questions and getting the best quotes will make the article more engaging. Use the “show, don’t tell” technique, where you describe what the person is doing instead of simply stating that they’re doing it. For example, instead of telling readers that Johnny ran up the hill, you can say that his legs ached and that he was breathing heavily as he pushed himself to the top.
Behind-the-scenes and explanatory features are also a great way to use a news feature. These stories show the public something they can’t see or hear, such as a military soldier guarding a detainee at Guantanamo Bay or an engineer who controls traffic lights.