Reading and Writing Workshop
Feature Writing – Crafting Compelling Stories
Session 1: What Makes a Feature Story?
Objective: Understand the difference between news reporting and feature storytelling.
Topics Covered:
Session 2: Human Interest and ProfilesObjective: Learn how to write engaging human-interest stories and profiles.
Topics Covered:
Session 3: Developing Angles and HooksObjective: Find fresh perspectives and strong openings to hook readers.
Topics Covered:
Session 4: Quotes and Descriptions in Features
Objective: Use dialogue, description, and scene-building to enrich stories.
Topics Covered:
Optional Final Project
Students create a portfolio-ready feature article on a topic of their choice, using at least one interview, one vivid scene, and a strong angle.
Session 1: What Makes a Feature Story?
Objective: Understand the difference between news reporting and feature storytelling.
Topics Covered:
- Definitions and distinctions between news and feature writing
- Narrative vs. informational writing styles
- "The Great Storm" (1900 Galveston Hurricane feature) – Though originally a news report, this historical piece includes early narrative techniques.
- Source: Library of Congress – Chronicling America
- URL: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1900-09-10/ed-1/seq-1/
- Annotate the article to identify factual vs. narrative elements.
- Class discussion: How could this be turned into a feature?
- Writing prompt: Rewrite a portion of the article as a human-interest feature, focusing on tone and structure.
Session 2: Human Interest and ProfilesObjective: Learn how to write engaging human-interest stories and profiles.
Topics Covered:
- Profile structure: lead, body, and conclusion
- Highlighting unique voices and experiences
- “Helen Keller’s Story of My Life” (excerpt) – A profile of a remarkable life from Keller’s own narrative.
- Source: Project Gutenberg
- URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2397
- Close reading: Examine how Keller’s personal voice and vivid details make her story compelling.
- Profile-writing practice: Interview a peer and write a short human-interest piece using quotes and sensory details.
Session 3: Developing Angles and HooksObjective: Find fresh perspectives and strong openings to hook readers.
Topics Covered:
- Choosing compelling angles for ordinary topics
- Crafting strong ledes that grab attention
- “How the Other Half Lives” by Jacob Riis (excerpt) – Feature-style social reporting that reframes public interest through vivid angles.
- Source: Project Gutenberg
- URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45502
- Identify the angle Riis uses in his reporting. How does he draw the reader in?
- Group brainstorm: Choose a common school/community topic and list 3 unique angles.
- Write 2 different ledes for the same topic—one anecdotal, one surprising statistic.
Session 4: Quotes and Descriptions in Features
Objective: Use dialogue, description, and scene-building to enrich stories.
Topics Covered:
- Integrating and attributing quotes naturally
- Using sensory details and vivid scenes to “show” not “tell”
- “Ten Days in a Mad-House” by Nellie Bly (excerpt) – A masterclass in immersive, descriptive journalism.
- Source: Project Gutenberg
- URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/150
- Analyze how Bly uses direct quotes and sensory description to evoke emotion.
- Rewrite a bland paragraph using descriptive detail and a compelling quote.
- Final feature story: Begin drafting a short profile or event feature using interviews and description.
Optional Final Project
Students create a portfolio-ready feature article on a topic of their choice, using at least one interview, one vivid scene, and a strong angle.