how to write a newspaper feature article

How to write a feature article

Feature story writing is a type of journalism that goes beyond the standard news report. It tells a complete story, often using real-life examples, to help readers understand a complex issue or event.

While there is no one formula for writing a great feature article, there are some basic steps you can follow to make sure your story is well-written and engaging. In this guide, we will outline the key steps involved in writing a feature article, as well as provide some tips and tricks for making your story stand out.

What is a feature article?

A feature article is a news story that does more than report the facts of a news event. A feature article appeals to human emotions and is written in a creative, entertaining way while still giving accurate information. The main objective of a feature article is to inform and entertain the reader.

How to write a news article

A feature article may include:

• an element of fiction or creativity, such as writing it in first person, using dialogue, describing characters’ feelings, etc.
• background information about the subject that provides context and helps explain why events happened as they did
• a personal experience related to the subject
• a question that the article leaves the reader wondering after reading, such as “What will happen next?” or “How has this affected people?”

Characteristics of a feature article

Now that we know what a feature story is, let’s explore what characteristics it may have.

A feature article should:

• Have a strong opening paragraph that draws the reader in.
• Be focused on an individual or individuals.
• Have quotes throughout to support narrative and show perspectives.
• Use descriptive language which almost gives the appearance of nonfiction.
• Address unique ideas, aspects or points of views that are special about a certain individual or event.
• Be specific and detailed to make for a better story.
• Have elements of humor, surprise, drama, tension and emotion to keep readers engaged.

Different types of feature articles

There are different types of feature articles or stories. Some types are used more frequently than others.

Various examples of types of feature stories include:

• Behind the scenes : The reporter gives a glimpse behind the scenes into an industry or company. This is used to give insight into corporate strategy, or provide information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
• Human interest : The reporter focuses on a person or situation that is interesting, typically because it is unusual or unique.
• Instructional : The feature story is intended to help or guide the reader. The story might provide information about how to do something, or might describe a process.
• Profiles : A profile tells a story about a person. It might provide background information, or might describe the experiences of the person, as well as their personality and character traits.
• Personal : The story is about one person, and how they rose to success. It might also discuss their family life or other personal details.
• Thematic : A thematic story tells a larger story than the lives of one person. The thematic article explains an idea, trend, or theory through multiple examples of anecdotes that support each other in illustrating the theme.
• Seasonal : A seasonal story looks at a current event or subject through the lens of history.

These are just some examples of what you could write about for your feature article.

Remember that creative writing is all about thinking outside the box! So, think hard about what you’d like to write about – but also consider if there’s enough information available to you and how much effort you’ll need to put into researching it. This might help you narrow down your topic choice to something specific.

Language to use when writing a feature story

Language used when writing a feature story is generally more formal than ordinary language. It is written in complete sentences with correct spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

At the start of a feature story, use an active voice. A good opening sentence tells readers what the story is about with the most important information first. It also presents an interesting idea that makes them want to know more.

How to write a feature article in 5 steps

Since we have defined a feature article and described its characteristics, we need to know how it is written and the elements, which make up a feature article.

• Plan and outline your story.
• Research and collect information.
• Write a catchy heading title.
• Select the best structure.
• Write and proofread.

Let us now see what each of the step entails:

Step 1: Plan and outline your story.

It is very important plan and outline your feature story before you start writing. This means that it’s important to think about what you want to write, then plan how you can write this text in an interesting way. The main part of the planning is to define your angle and then structure the article in a logical order.

While planning your article, you need to find an angle of your story. Every feature article has a main subject and it also has a secondary subject, which is the ‘angle’. The angle is what you want to write about – it could be something that your readers will find interesting or controversial. Some common ways of making the secondary subject into an angle are, by introducing a character, providing information, including the 5Ws or making a comparison.

Step 2: Research and collect information.

This means that you need to do some research, which helps you with both finding content and thinking about what you want to write about. You can use different texts, images, videos or any other kind of material to create an interesting article. Gathering facts and information is usually easier compared to creating a coherent structure of your article.

To create a research list, you can use different sources which are available to you. These may include books, magazines, newspapers or the internet. You can also use your own experiences and knowledge of topics that interest you. This makes it easier for you to write an article quickly once your deadline is near.

When researching on the internet, you will find that there are many different kinds of research tools. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, Wikipedia is often used because it contains a lot of information on almost any topic. However, the quality of this information varies, so bear in mind that it is not always reliable.

Step 3: Write a catchy heading title.

This part of the writing process is probably the most difficult task because you have to draw attention to yourself and your story with a good opening paragraph. This means that it’s important to give the reader some information about what he or she can expect in your article.

A good feature story must have a catchy title and interesting opening paragraphs. A reader should be able to see some of the articles contents in this paragraph, but not too much. It is important to make them wonder what you are telling them about the article while still giving some sort of introduction of what they can expect. This will encourage the reader to read on and not lose interest.

Step 4: Select the best structure.

This means that you need to decide which parts (introduction, body and conclusion) will be included in the text and which information should be mentioned in each part of the article. This depends on what you have found out about yourself, your angle and also something specific you want to put in the article.

• Introduction : The introduction should be short and tell your readers what they can expect in the rest of the article. It’s also good not to introduce too many different topics because this confuses your reader.
• Body : In the body of the article, you have a chance to expand on each detail you have decided to include in the text. You should mention some details and examples when writing the body paragraphs. The body should be composed of three paragraphs (minimum); each paragraph should attempt to answer one of the questions stated in the introduction (i.e., what, why, how). Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that sums up the main idea of the paragraph and then have two – six further sentences
• Conclusion : In the conclusion, you can say whatever you want to say about your main topic and what your article is about. It’s important that you conclude by tying up all the loose ends and summarizing everything in your written feature story. However, it doesn’t need to be too long or complicated!

Step 5: Write and Proofread.

This step will involve:

• Writing the first draft.
• Writing the final draft.

First draft: The first draft of any paper is just that: rough, unannotated, and probably full of errors or unclear text. You should write each sentence as an idea comes to you, without stopping to revise anything.

The second draft would be the last, polished version of your work after it’s been revised and proofread.

It is good to start with the most important points of your article first, so it would be a good idea to create an outline of what you want to say. This will help you determine where everything goes in your article and if anything gets left out or if you have to put anything in a different place.

Second draft : Once you have a first draft, it is time to revise your work so that you can convey what you want to say in the clearest possible manner. Work on one paragraph at a time until it is perfect. Then move on to the next one. The order doesn’t matter, but stick with one topic or main idea to avoid confusion.

Proofreading: When you have finished revising your rough draft, it is time to read and correct your work carefully.

The last part of this process means that you need to polish everything that you have written before you publish it on your blog or submit the assignment for grading. This means, for example, that it’s important to check if spelling and punctuation are correct and also if the article flows well.

You also need to make sure that you have incorporated all of the necessary information into your article.

If you are writing a feature article, then there is one more thing that you should do: add pictures and videos if it is practical or possible. If it’s not practical or possible then adding pictures and/or videos isn’t compulsory – but it is advisable.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to write a feature article, get started on your own! Think about what the topic is and why it’s of interest. Consider who will be reading this piece – are they people interested in finance or marketing? Once you have an idea for the kind of information you want to share with readers, start brainstorming some topics. You can use free tools like Google Docs or Evernote to help organize your thoughts while writing so that everything stays organized. You should also draft out the introduction before starting work on any other section of your article. This way you can introduce all important points without missing anything out by accident-or having too many different ideas competing for attention at once. Finally, proofread carefully after finishing the first draft to avoid getting overwhelmed when proofreading your final draft.

Proofreading should be done carefully so you can make sure that all of the sentences are in the correct order, the spelling is correct and there aren’t any grammatical or factual errors. This has been a guide on how to write a feature article, thank you for reading!

Need help writing a feature article?

If you’re a college student who needs help to write a feature article, don’t worry – you’re not alone! At Tutlance, essay writing service , we have online tutors who guide will walk you through each step of the process so that you can write your essay for cheap or feature news article that is both informative and interesting.

You can also hire an essay writer who will help you to create a top quality piece of article writing that you can be proud of.

If you’re a teacher who is looking for an interesting project for your students, consider asking them to write a feature article about a topic they are interested in – it’s a great way to get teenagers excited about writing and hopefully make the process as easy as possible.

Feature writing a form of journalism that focuses on in-depth storytelling and exploration of a particular subject. Unlike traditional news reporting, which typically provides the basic facts of an event or situation, feature writing dives deeper into the nuances, emotions, and context surrounding a topic. It often incorporates personal anecdotes, interviews, and descriptive language to engage and captivate readers. Feature writing allows for a more creative and narrative approach, aiming to inform, entertain, and spark thought in its audience.

Author: tutlance

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How to Write a Feature Article: A Step-by-Step Guide

Feature stories are one of the most crucial forms of writing these days, we can find feature articles and examples in many news websites, blog websites, etc.  While writing a feature article a lot of things should be kept in mind as well. Feature stories are a powerful form of journalism, allowing writers to delve deeper into subjects and explore the human element behind the headlines. Whether you’re a budding journalist or an aspiring storyteller, mastering the art of feature story writing is essential for engaging your readers and conveying meaningful narratives. In this blog, you’ll find the process of writing a feature article, feature article writing tips, feature article elements, etc. The process of writing a compelling feature story, offering valuable tips, real-world examples, and a solid structure to help you craft stories that captivate and resonate with your audience.

Read Also: Top 5 Strategies for Long-Term Success in Journalism Careers

Table of Contents

Understanding the Essence of a Feature Story

Before we dive into the practical aspects, let’s clarify what a feature story is and what sets it apart from news reporting. While news articles focus on delivering facts and information concisely, feature stories are all about storytelling. They go beyond the “who, what, when, where, and why” to explore the “how” and “why” in depth. Feature stories aim to engage readers emotionally, making them care about the subject, and often, they offer a unique perspective or angle on a topic.

Tips and tricks for writing a Feature article

 In the beginning, many people can find difficulty in writing a feature, but here we have especially discussed some special tips and tricks for writing a feature article. So here are some Feature article writing tips and tricks: –

Read Also: How Fact Checking Is Strengthening Trust In News Reporting

1. Choose an Interesting Angle:

The first step in feature story writing is selecting a unique and compelling angle or theme for your story. Look for an aspect of the topic that hasn’t been explored widely, or find a fresh perspective that can pique readers’ curiosity.

2. Conduct Thorough Research:

Solid research is the foundation of any feature story. Dive deep into your subject matter, interview relevant sources, and gather as much information as possible. Understand your subject inside out to present a comprehensive and accurate portrayal.

3. Humanize Your Story:

Feature stories often revolve around people, their experiences, and their emotions. Humanize your narrative by introducing relatable characters and sharing their stories, struggles, and triumphs.

4. Create a Strong Lead:

Your opening paragraph, or lead, should be attention-grabbing and set the tone for the entire story. Engage your readers from the start with an anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description.

5. Structure Your Story:

Feature stories typically follow a narrative structure with a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the topic and engages the reader, the middle explores the depth of the subject, and the end provides closure or leaves readers with something to ponder.

6. Use Descriptive Language:

Paint a vivid picture with your words. Utilize descriptive language and sensory details to transport your readers into the world you’re depicting.

7. Incorporate Quotes and Anecdotes:

Quotes from interviews and anecdotes from your research can breathe life into your story. They add authenticity and provide insights from real people.

8. Engage Emotionally:

Feature stories should evoke emotions. Whether it’s empathy, curiosity, joy, or sadness, aim to connect with your readers on a personal level.

Read Also: The Ever-Evolving World Of Journalism: Unveiling Truths and Shaping Perspectives

Examples of Feature Stories

Here we are describing some of the feature articles examples which are as follows:-

“Finding Beauty Amidst Chaos: The Life of a Street Artist”

This feature story delves into the world of a street artist who uses urban decay as his canvas, turning neglected spaces into works of art. It explores his journey, motivations, and the impact of his art on the community.

“The Healing Power of Music: A Veteran’s Journey to Recovery”

This story follows a military veteran battling post-traumatic stress disorder and how his passion for music became a lifeline for healing. It intertwines personal anecdotes, interviews, and the therapeutic role of music.

“Wildlife Conservation Heroes: Rescuing Endangered Species, One Baby Animal at a Time”

In this feature story, readers are introduced to a group of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate endangered baby animals. It showcases their passion, challenges, and heartwarming success stories.

What should be the feature a Feature article structure?

Read Also: What is The Difference Between A Journalist and A Reporter?

Structure of a Feature Story

A well-structured feature story typically follows this format:

Headline: A catchy and concise title that captures the essence of the story. This is always written at the top of the story.

Lead: A captivating opening paragraph that hooks the reader. The first 3 sentences of any story that explains 5sW & 1H are known as lead.

Introduction : Provides context and introduces the subject. Lead is also a part of the introduction itself.

Body : The main narrative section that explores the topic in depth, including interviews, anecdotes, and background information.

Conclusion: Wraps up the story, offers insights, or leaves the reader with something to ponder.

Additional Information: This may include additional resources, author information, or references.

Read Also: Benefits and Jobs After a MAJMC Degree

Writing a feature article is a blend of journalistic skills and storytelling artistry. By choosing a compelling angle, conducting thorough research, and structuring your story effectively, you can create feature stories that captivate and resonate with your readers. AAFT also provides many courses related to journalism and mass communication which grooms a person to write new articles, and news and learn new skills as well. Remember that practice is key to honing your feature story writing skills, so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to perfect your craft. With dedication and creativity, you’ll be able to craft feature stories that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

What are the characteristics of a good feature article?

A good feature article is well-written, engaging, and informative. It should tell a story that is interesting to the reader and that sheds light on an important issue.

Why is it important to write feature articles?

Feature articles can inform and entertain readers. They can also help to shed light on important issues and to promote understanding and empathy.

What are the challenges of writing a feature article?

The challenges of writing a feature article can vary depending on the topic and the audience. However, some common challenges include finding a good angle for the story, gathering accurate information, and writing in a clear and concise style.

Aaditya Kanchan is a skilled Content Writer and Digital Marketer with experience of 5+ years and a focus on diverse subjects and content like Journalism, Digital Marketing, Law and sports etc. He also has a special interest in photography, videography, and retention marketing. Aaditya writes in simple language where complex information can be delivered to the audience in a creative way.

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How To Write a Feature Article: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you dreamt of becoming a famous feature article writer do you acquire your muse from writers like maya angelou, ketaki desai , rishab raj, shivani vig, and other popular feature writers have you ever felt writing as a tool for reflection then, this article will teach you the fundamentals of what makes a good feature article and how to write one.  it is better to learn more about feature articles before learning the strategies on how to write a feature article. so, here we go.

What is a Feature Article?

A feature article, according to Dictionary.com, is a daily or fortnightly article or report about a person, event, frontage of a major event, or the like. This writing adds a personal touch, and quite often, it is written in a discrete style. It can be a news story, the main or most prominent story in a magazine.   A feature article is no doubt an article inscribed to give a piece of in-depth knowledge to events, people issues, or news. A proficient person or a journalist can write a feature article. Their writings will provide background information on a significant or a noteworthy topic, and the article will include the writer’s angle or his/her experience. 

Difference between News Article and Feature Article

It is not a news item or advertisement. It is a common fact that people get confused with news articles and feature articles. We get confused with news and features and always think of the dos and don’ts of writing a feature article. All are aware of feature articles in Sunday newspapers, but where does the difference lie?

News  is always instant information, and this needs to reach the mass as breaking news without wasting time. A news article should be concise and clear and finally, the writer should stick to the point directly. A news story offers information about an event, idea, or situation. 

The article should cover all the “W” (who, what, when, why, where) and “H” questions, which any reader would like to know. News items generally do not add much spice or any additional information to entice the reader. Readers are spared with extra material or statistics, and as far as possible a writer will use adjectives sparingly. In a nutshell, the introduction will summarise the story for the benefit of the reader.

The source and slant of the writer can include slight variations but should not cover more than one approach. The news writer or a journalist can use an inverted pyramid structure. The writer prefers to present the most important information as an introduction or they can be considered as a conclusion as well. This will help a writer exemplify how the news can be prioritized and structured.

A feature writer adds depth, wisdom, and color to the story and may entertain or instruct. In short, writing a feature article can be like adding jaggery to gulp bitter gourd. It can be like a stimulant or a catalyst. A feature article is a longer article compared to the news. It is all about lettering a human-interest story to match the target audience. A feature article is written after an event. So, naturally, they try to provide more and more information about the event, or else they give a different perception or a changed viewpoint. 

The main aim of a feature writer will be to analyze, broaden the understanding, and give different approaches to a reader. Remember to note that a feature article is a non-fiction piece of writing. 

Where do we find feature articles? 

A feature article is published in newspapers, magazines, and online blogs , and they add an emotional touch. They are more personal. As a writer, when you write a feature article, it is good to make it more narrative and more appealing for the readers.

If you want to become a professional blogger, then learn from the experts with the Best Online Content Writing Course

Different Types of Feature Articles:

Before starting to write a feature article, different articles and their characteristics will give you the insight to decide, which type to choose before you pen your thoughts to words. Every article should be the voice of a writer and the other characters or places or incidents. Now start thinking of writing a feature article and understand the different types before you shake your thoughts into words.

Types of feature stories : Each article has a divergent focus, and the motive also changes.

⮚      Human interest stories:  In this kind of feature article, the emphasis is given to a person or a set of people. Such an article emphasizes a dramatic incident. Normally, the focal point will be emotion first and later on the information.

⮚      Colour Stories : Describe a location using life and blood, so that the reader can visualize the same in this kind of feature article. A news story can be written in this form to transport the feel.

⮚      News Feature: This is the m ost popular kind of feature article in the newspapers. It conveys news, motives and implications, and consequences.

⮚      Informative Feature:  For this article, the writer conducts an interview, research, data compilation for data, and of course, relies on personal observation. The writer tries to add human stories and give information and education. It offers interesting information and guides the reader.

⮚      Historical Feature:  This type of feature article is for those, who are good at dates, chronology, turning points in history. The main motive of this feature article is to rekindle memory to invoke interest. 

⮚      Lifestyle Feature:   The most widespread feature articles people look for. How to live healthily? How to grow vegetables?

⮚      Scientific Feature : As the name suggests, this feature article voices on science policy and topics related to current topics.

⮚      Interpretative Features:  Political, social, and economic problems could be touched upon, while writing this feature article. Interpretative feature articles provide details, direct, and shed light on the context of specific issues.

⮚      Review:  Review of books, film, and music, etc. This article should highlight why a particular genre is good or extremely good and the specific reason for this extraordinary or ordinary nature.

⮚      Behind the scenes:  This article gives a reader a revelation about the backdrop scenes, or the reader can pry into the behind scenes.

Now you are familiar with different types of feature articles and the next step is to progress a set of skills required to write, organize and edit a feature article before writing a feature article and get set to write a feature article.

Why do you write a feature article ? It is either to instruct, persuade or entertain the readers. Do not miss the fact that feature articles are longer pieces of writing that range from opinions, issues, experiences, and ideas. 

How to Choose and Tempt the Audience When You Write a Feature Article?

It is a common fact that there are thousands of newspapers, magazines, and print media in the market flooding articles with online material. It can be considered as an uphill task to pitch the right audience and to get noticed in this market.  

How to break this discord and attract the audience is to offer the target audience a noteworthy article that is of interest which speaks a lot. Once the target audience is decided, think of their age, status, attitude, culture, and lifestyle. As a writer, you have to know their thought process, language, and vocabulary. 

As a next step, you have to analyze the topics of interest for that selected audience. Technology, travel, health, home travel are striking topics for features since they can be used in specific sections of newspapers or weekend magazines. Feature stories are frequently published in trade publications, usually as special supplements.

Steps to writing a feature article to keep the reader on tenterhooks

● The first point is to  choose the right topic  and the word limit of the feature article. Is the topic relevant and of interest or can this topic hold the breath of the audience until the last word? Do not exceed the word limit (minimum 1500 and maximum 4000 words). 

Briefly, discover a topic of existing importance. Further to that, think of a topic that sells and start forming great ideas that are exclusive.  The brainstorming  technique will help you bring out the best, and this technique will ensure you have a free flow of ideas. Understand the purpose of writing that can take you to the next step of writing.

●        Research the topic  and it all depends on your research. Find out what strikes and how well you can produce it. Read, read, research all aspects and perspectives of the topic, and give an edifying stance. 

Mind mapping techniques will allow you to channelize your ideas and thoughts. How do you do that? After your research and free flow of your ideas or overflow of ideas, create a central theme that will allow you to write. Of course, you can branch your central idea with different color codes and keywords, and colorful images to start with a bang and get inspired. 

More and more branches will make you more confident and with an organized flow of thoughts. Establish your principle and remember that is the meat of your article.

●        Narrow down your plan : Think of the target audience and what type of attitude do they like and what is your attitude towards that topic? Start thinking of all the  Ws and H  (who, why, what, when) and find out the answers for these common elements. Your battle is half won if the major reason for writing this article or the drive to write this feature article can answer all these questions.

●        Structure your astute ideas : Sequence them logically and according to the level of significance.

Now you are ready to start painless writing. Your writing process is also complete, and now time to start writing a feature article of your choice, your passion, and your ideas at your fingertips. Before you put words into life, it is better to know the language used to write a feature article.

Linguistic or language usage in feature articles:

● Use semi-formal language (not formal and not informal) with a human touch 

● Sprinkle sentiments, emotions, and feelings

● Use second person singular when you address the audience

● Adjectives and adverbs can be used sparingly but use action verbs

● Do not forget to use statistics, facts

● Quotes give a better edge or slight superiority to your writing

● Write in active voice

● Use literary techniques to create a special effect for a deeper meaning. This divulges the authors’ motivation.

● Rhetorical questions can invoke interest and allow the reader to think and increase certain insight.

● Anecdotes, imagery, and certain jargon are other language techniques that you can try.

Now you are ready to start writing with  more tips  to chisel and delve deep into writing.

How will you structure and organize a feature article?

• Headline:  A good introduction is the root of your writing. The publicity of your article lies in those first lines. Grab the attention of your reader with a catchy introduction or try to hook the reader’s interest. In the introductory lines, the main point is emphasized or highlighted.
• Subheading : Expresses a perspective or point of view of the author and it is also called a  deck . This is the second attempt of the author to tempt the reader. The gist of the article inscribed will allow a reader to be hooked on your article. 
• By-line : You can express your identity using a by-line and introduce the persons who helped you for an interview or a survey.
• Hook -: An intriguing initial sentence that will hook readers’ attention and keep them reading. It could be done by using an example, a metaphor, a rhetorical question exactly like how Barak Obama grabs the attention with his rhetorical questions. This paragraph develops on the hook and sets the tone of your article.
• Introductory paragraph 

This paragraph develops the hook and sets the tone for the rest of the article and defines the tone and focus of the article. The opening paragraph opens with a scheming, plot, or intrigue. You can win the heart of the reader and make them hold their attention with this paragraph. Do not forget to set the section and bring life into those words.

●        Paragraph two of the body: the first main topic . A description of how this person or problem has benefited society. In the author’s own words, this should be an interpretation of events or how to stick to the genre you have selected. Show and try not to speak.

●        From paragraph three onwards , more major points are offered to clarify to inform about vital events or accomplishments about the person/issue. The reader is more clear with more details using facts, evidence, and quotations. 

These pose difficult questions to the reader and include their responses. Paragraphs, photographs, tables, diagrams, and graphs are frequently used to present information in feature articles to present facts or proof to back up the content or support the author’s interpretation and explanation of the text person/issue/events.

●        Summary:   Now you are ready to summarise the article. The final paragraph should create a lasting impression by reminding the reader, the article’s core point and suggesting a suitable course of action, and promoting a shift in standpoint or attitude. 

This should prompt the reader to take a feat or encourage taking a deed. The reader should be able to confirm that the article is ready for a conclusion. Now, you have gulped the capsule to set and write a feature article.

●        Reread and Edit:  This is the most important step of the writing process before you write a feature article.                                                  

Revision and editing are important processes of writing. Editing suggests the chance to see a clear picture, evidence, specifics, fix the language glitches, and polish the article. 

Editing will help you to find out grammatical errors, typos, repetitions, and even dull writing the bugs in writing. This is sure to guide and bucket the thoughts to give a long-lasting impression of the feature article. Final editing and polishing will help you to find out whether you have put in your ideas succinctly and impactfully and whether you were able to connect the dots.

Learn about editing and proofreading here.

4 Personalities of Writing to Reduce Writer’s Block .

Madman, architect, carpenter, and madman. .

A madman creates ideas exactly like a madman. The architect gives the writing structure by moving paragraphs around and looking at the plot. The sentences, phrases, and word choices are being crafted by the carpenter. The judge removes elements of the document that aren’t required. This article will remove the block and help you to write a feature article.

Here are additional tips to become an ace before you write a feature article: 

▪ Be relaxed and conversational

▪ Keep it simple

▪ Short sentences and vary sentence length

▪ Paint a picture

▪ Spice up your writing

▪ Voice your opinion

▪ Smooth your writing by using transitions

▪ Don’t judge the first draft

▪ Always rely on peer editing

▪ Don’t write in the same tone

▪ Don’t put all the interesting facts at one go

▪ Harness the power of comma and punctuation

▪ Don’t dump information

Now you have the style, grace, and power of expressing your thoughts clearly and enlivening your writing with vivid images. It is an inborn talent that requires a knack and relevant guidelines to convert your thoughts into words that become a reader’s delight. This article is to reinstate the writing process and try to refresh your memory and change your writing blocks and procrastination habits to write a feature article.

Now you are ready to start your dream job or have a go. Good luck and best wishes!

Scope of Feature Article Writing:

Newspapers, magazines, and social media are employing freelancers and regular columnists. Print and online media depend on freelancers for making their publications interesting and noteworthy. 

The work from home concept is gaining momentum. Hence, it is beneficial for a featured columnist to be in their comfort zone and earn at leisure. Any individual with a flair for writing and a good grasp of language and creativity can make a decent living. 

A feature article writer can choose any genre of your choice and if you are consistent and stick to the timeline with utter sincerity, then nothing can pull you behind. Freelancers are in demand and make use of your painless writing techniques.                                                                                             

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a feature article different from a blog?

Yes, it is different. While feature articles are published digitally and in print, blogs are published only online. 

2. Is feature writing well as a career?

Yes. With the present changes in the world, it has got ample scope. If your writing style is exclusive, then you have more possibility to be popular. 

3. What are the basic steps for new writers?

✔ Include all the fundamentals of writing (who, what, where why, when, and how)

✔ Plan and organize your writing

✔ Include your viewpoint

It is a fact that writing entails basic principles. It is good to master the rules. This will help you make your foundation before you venture into different kinds of writing. As stated before, writing a feature article is more than facts and includes interesting facts, and recall the points stated in this article before you write a feature article. 

It is of paramount importance to add a dimension of human touch and make it more pleasing. This article has guided you through the steps to write a feature article and touch the chords of the readers. 

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Behind the Headlines

Feature and opinion writing resources.

Research widely - facts, statistics, different sides of the story and quotes.

Spend time planning your feature article and organise your ideas.

Don’t reveal everything at the beginning. Features have a narrative structure and draw in the reader gradually.

The key paragraph is the nutgraph, usually the second or third paragraph, where the feature is put in context and its significance is explained.

Reveal a key piece of information, quote or statistic in each paragraph and use quotes from a range of people to give a rounded view.

Think about the ending of the feature. It should not be a summary. A good final paragraph might include a powerful quote, a call to action or leave the reader in a different place from where you started.

Be passionate and opinionated - choose a subject you feel strongly about, and then work on communicating that passion to your readers.

Start with what you know - you will probably write a stronger piece if you have some awareness in, or experience of, your subject. What is the point of your article? You should be able to sum it up in a couple of sentences.

Do your research - a strong argument is important, so too is a grasp of the facts. Your task is to persuade others, so you need to make the strongest possible case for your opinion – strong enough to persuade your opponents.

Construct a clear argument - reflect your opinion on your chosen subject. Remember to persuade your reader by including evidence, addressing other perspectives directly, presenting a conclusion and structuring your writing in a way that is easy to follow.

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Get Your Story Straight: News vs Feature Article

In your role as a public affairs writer, you'll be asked to write in a variety of formats. News articles and features are the most common. Before you start, it's important to know how they are similar and how they differ. Review the key differences between a news article and a feature article.

Because the two purposes are distinctly different, you'll need to be clear on what type of article you're writing before you jump in. Don't mix the structure and flow of one with the other.

Writing a News Article

Think of your news story as an inverted pyramid or a martini glass. Regardless of which outline you follow, your news article always will begin with a direct lead.

A direct lead contains the news peg -- what changed or the reason you wrote this article today -- and usually provides the who, what, when and where of the event. The why and the how can be addressed in the lead, the bridge or the body of the article.

• Who did it? To whom did it happen? Who else was involved?
• What happened, or what event is scheduled to occur?
• When did it happen, or when is it scheduled to occur?
• Where did it happen? Which other places felt the impacts?

The lead tells readers what the story is going to be about and allows them to decide whether to read further. It should start with your most important "W." When writing your lead:

• Figure out the lead emphasis, the most important part of the story.
• Decide where your story is going.
• Set the right tone.
• Make sure the news peg is in the lead, not later in the story.
• Remove cliches or cheesiness from your lead.

Example of a Direct Lead : NORFOLK, Va, -- Four sailors stationed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise here sustained third-degree burns May 2 when an FA-18 fighter jet engine caught fire.

With the primary facts established, there may be an opportunity for secondary, or "bridge" facts that address the "why." Why did it happen? Why will your reader care? You can use " WAITS " as a helpful acronym to build out this bridge. The bridge should contain at least one of the WAITS elements.

• W: Any of the interrogatives -- probably the why or the how -- not provided or not fully explained in the lead.
• A: Attribution. Give attribution (a source) to any information in the lead, or provide a quote from a prominent person involved in the story.
• I: Identification of the Who in your story. If the impersonal "who" was used in the lead, they need to be identified in the bridge.
• T: Tie-back to a previous, related article.
• S: Secondary facts.

Before you move on to the details of the story, you should include a command message. Quotes are especially valuable in doing this. Use additional space to fill in the details of the story and finish with another command message if available. When it happens, the second quote often comes from a participant rather than a planner, or leader, of an event. News articles (as opposed to features) don't need wrap-ups, so a quote – depending on whether one is available – or a boilerplate statement, e.g., " The mission of Unit X is y, " might or might not be used. Boilerplate refers to phrasing that, once negotiated and agreed upon, does not change.

The third paragraph (or fourth, if it takes that long) and the last paragraph are known as "power positions" because the readers are still tuned in at the top and tune back in at the bottom. Quotes placed in middles of articles (and worse, at bottoms of paragraphs) are easily overlooked, i.e., wasted.

The martini glass outline offers chronological order as a way to present facts in the stem. This format is easy to replicate and understand, whereas "order of importance" drives some writers and readers crazy. The martini glass is particularly well-suited to public affairs writing because public affairs professionals are taught to deliver command messages (generally quotes), and the martini glass tells us not only where to put them but where to look for them.

Writing a Feature Article

Imagine you are writing a feature article, and in the middle of your interview, something newsworthy suddenly happens to the people you are writing about. You can immediately pivot and respond to the event by writing a timely news article. The reverse is not true. You cannot take a news article and turn it into a feature by adding some details and calling it a day. Unlike the news article, the purpose of a feature article, or narrative, is to engage the reader’s imagination and emotions, leading them to accept the truth of the focus statement.

Feature articles follow a looping pattern that looks like a roller coaster.

Unlike the news article, which has a direct lead, a feature article has a delayed lead that prepares the reader for the focus statement (aka nutgraph). The body of the story moves the reader along a timeline. It has its own characteristics, including conflict and resolution, and generous use of anecdotes (demonstrating growth or progress) and description.

• Delayed Lead - The delayed lead is frequently an anecdote pulled from the middle of the timeline. It introduces the reader to the person or people who are the subject of the story. It provides the context that readers need to understand the focus statement and the emotional connection to make them want to continue reading the story, which usually starts at the beginning, on the other side of the focus statement.
• Focus Statement aka Nutgraph - The focus statement is a single sentence that encapsulates the values demonstrated by our subject that the commander would endorse. The focus statement is a declaration of the meaning that the writer hopes the reader will extract from the narrative. Don't skimp on the time you allow yourself to write your focus statement. It's critical.
• Complications - Challenges that force the main character or characters to reassess goals and approaches.
• Decision - A pivot point where the main character of the story chooses a new path.
• Struggle - The main character faces inevitable struggles on this new path.
• Achievements - Resolution of the struggle and an outcome that often but not always involves success.

Example of a Delayed Lead ​:  The last thing Piper remembered was the bullet whizzing toward her, the cracking sound of her own bones and the sickening thud of her body hitting the ground. Even as a child, Piper McClean had dreamed of serving her country. She would pick up a long stick, throw it over her shoulder and march. Her first full sentence was a cadence call. The army was her destiny, a family tradition. As she lay in the hospital bed contemplating her future, it appeared as though her dreams were as shattered as her leg.

Vive Le Difference!

A news article may contain storylines worth exploring, but it cannot be turned readily into a feature. The writer must start from scratch with a premise worthy of a feature, recognizing the differences in purpose and structure. Once you appreciate and respect the difference, you'll be better equipped to write each one for maximum effect.

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How to Write a Feature Story: Step-By-Step

This article gives a step-by-step process that can be used when writing feature articles. Read more and learn how to write a feature story effectively.

Feature stories are long-form non-fiction news articles that go into detail on a given topic. The most common type of feature stories are human interest stories, interviews and news features.

All of the best feature writers know that their articles live and die on the information that is detailed within the story. However, it requires more than just quality research to create a strong feature article.

You also need to understand how to get the reader’s attention from the first paragraph, as well as how to format the body of the article, and how to write a strong conclusion. It also helps if you have a flair for creative writing, as the style involved isn’t as rigid as traditional news stories.

If all this sounds complex, then don’t fret. There is a step-by-step process that can be used when writing feature articles.

Before we share that template, let us first take a quick look at a few of the different genres of this type of story format.

1. Human Interest

2. news features, 3. lifestyle features, 4. seasonal features, 5. interview pieces, 6. color stories, 7. profile features, 8. behind the scenes, 9. travel features, 10. instructional features, something completely different, steps for writing a feature writing, 1. evaluate your story ideas, 2. do your research, 3. decide the type of feature you want to write, 4. select an appropriate writing style, 5. craft a compelling headline, 6. open with interest, 7. don’t be afraid to be creative, writing a feature story: the last word, 10 different types of feature articles.

As the title suggests, when writing human interest stories, the focus is on people. There is usually a strong emphasis on emotion within these stories.

These feature stories can involve a personal goal, achievement, or a dramatic event within someone’s (or a group of people’s) life.

It can also just be a general story about the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Examples: ‘The leather jacket I bought in my 20s represents a different woman. I just can’t let it go’, ‘I wish I had Rami Malek as a role model growing up – I was stuck with the Mummy’.

News features are probably the most common type of feature article. Within these, there is a strong emphasis on a current event, with the story explaining the reasons behind these events.

They may also go on to examine the implications behind the news stories.

Examples: ‘Eastern Europe’s business schools rise to meet western counterparts’, MBA by numbers: Mobility of UK graduates’.

Lifestyle features usually centre around life and how it can be lived better. For instance, an example of a lifestyle feature would be ‘Six Workouts You Have to Try This Summer’, or ‘Why You Need To Try Meditation’.

Lifestyle features are common within magazines.

Example: Six ways with Asian greens: ‘They’re almost like a cross between spinach and broccoli’ .

These feature articles are specific to certain times of year.

If you work within a newsroom, it is likely that they will have a calendar that schedules the times when certain types of features are due to be written.

One of of the advantages of these types of features is that you can plan them in a way you can’t with typical news stories.

Examples: ‘ 5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays With The New York Times ’, The Start of Summer .

Interview features have commonalities with other types of features, but are set apart as they are centred around a single interview.

A good way to strengthen this type of article is to share background information within the it. This information can be either on the interviewee, or the subject that is being discussed.

Examples: Mark Rylance on ‘Jerusalem’ and the Golf Comedy ‘Phantom of the Open’ , ‘I Deserve to Be Here’: Riding His First Professional Gig to Broadway

This is a feature that breaks down the feel and atmosphere of a hard news story.

They often accompany news writing.

Good feature writing here will help the reader imagine what it was like to be a at a certain event, or help them gain further understanding of the issues and implications involved of a story.

Examples: ‘ Why the Central African Republic adopted Bitcoin ’, ‘Admissions teams innovate to find ideal candidates’ .

A profile feature is like a mini-biography.

It tries to paint a picture of a person by revealing not only facts relating to their life, but also elements of their personality.

It can be framed around a certain time, or event within a person’s life, It can also simply be a profile detailing a person’s journey through life.

Examples: Why Ray Liotta was so much more than Goodfellas , Sabotage and pistols – was Ellen Willmott gardening’s ‘bad girl’?

These are features that give readers the inside track on what is happening.

They are particularly popular with entertainment journalists, but are used by feature writers within every sphere.

Examples: ‘‘You Just Have to Accept That Wes Is Right’: The French Dispatch crew explains how it pulled off the movie’s quietly impossible long shot ’. ‘The Diamond Desk, Surveillance Shots, and 7 Other Stories About Making Severance’.

As you probably guessed, a travel feature often features a narrator who is writing about a place that the reader has an interest in.

It is the job of the writer to inform their audience of the experiences, sights and sounds that they can also experience if they ever visit this destination.

Examples: ‘ Palau’s world-first ‘good traveller’ incentive ’, ‘An icy mystery deep in Arctic Canada’.

‘How to’ features will always have their place and have become even more popular with the advent of the internet phenomenon known as ‘life hacks’. There is now a subsection of these features, where writers try out ‘how to’ instructional content and let the reader know how useful it actually is.

Interestingly, you don’t have to go far to find an instructional feature article. You are actually reading one at the moment.

Example: The article you are reading right now.

Of course, the above is just an overview of some of the types of features that exist. You shouldn’t get bogged down by the idea that some feature types interlope with others.

Feature writing is a dynamic area that is constantly evolving and so are the topics and styles associated with this type of writing.

If you have an idea for something completely different, don’t be afraid to try it.

Now we covered some of the main types, let’s take a look at the steps you should take when planning to write a feature article.

It sounds obvious, but the first step on the path to a good feature article is to have a strong idea. If you are struggling for inspiration, then it may be worth your while checking out popular feature sections within newspapers or websites.

For instance, the New York Times is renowned for its wonderful ‘Trending’ section , as is The Guardian , for its features. Of course, these sites should be used only for education and inspiration.

In an instructional feature article, online learning platform MasterClass gives a good overview of the type of research that needs to be done for this type of article.

It states: “Feature stories need more than straight facts and sensory details—they need evidence. Quotes, anecdotes, and interviews are all useful when gathering information for (a) feature story.”

The article also gives an overview of why research is important. It reads: “Hearing the viewpoints or recollections of witnesses, family members, or anyone else… can help (the article) feel more three-dimensional, allowing you to craft a more vivid and interesting story.”

Feature articles may involve creative writing, but they are still based on facts. That is why research should be a tenet of any article you produce in this area.

Shortly after starting your research, you will be posed the question of ‘what type of feature do I want to write?’.

The answer to this question may even change from when you had your initial idea.

For example, you may have decided that you want to do a lifestyle feature on the physical fitness plan of your local sports team. However, during research, you realized that there is a far more interesting interview piece on one of the athletes who turned their physical health around by joining the team.

Of course, that is a fictional scenario, but anyone who has ever worked within a newsroom knows how story ideas can evolve and change based on the reporting that’s done for them.

The next step is to consider the language you will be using while writing the article. As you become more experienced, this will be second nature to you. However, for now, below are a few tips.

When writing a feature, you should do so with your own unique style. Unlike straight news stories, you can insert your personality and use emotive language.

However, you should avoid too many adjectives and adverbs and other overused words . You should generally refer to the audience as ‘you’ too.

To learn more, check out our article about the best style guides .

As you can tell from the examples listed above, a good feature usually has a good headline/ header. If you are lucky enough to work in a newsroom with a good subeditor, then they will work with you to decide an eye-catching headline.

However, most of you will have to pick your features’ header on your own. Thus, it’s worth giving some time to consider this stage of the process.

It is handy to take a look at Matrix Education’s tips for creating a catchy headline.

They are as follows:

• Use emotive language.
• Keep it short and snappy.
• Directly address the reader.
• Use adjectives / adverbs.
• Tell readers what your content is about.
• Ask a question.
• Give an imperative.

These are, of course, only options and they all shouldn’t be utilized at once.

Another suggestion that can be added to the list is grabbing an intriguing quote from the story and using that within the header.

Your opening paragraph should draw the reader in. It is important that you can hook them here; if you can grab them at the start, they are far more likely to go deeper into the article.

Methods of doing this include the building of tension, the posing of a rhetorical question, making an outlandish statement that is proven true later in the article, or working your way back from a monumental event that the reader is already familiar with.

Whichever you use, the primary goal should be to catch the reader’s interest and to make them want to read on.

If you need help, start with writing a five-paragraph essay .

Jean-Luc Godard said that “a story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order”.

That statement can be somewhat applied to feature articles. However, don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing. Of course, it is important to share the information you need to share, but a feature article does offer far more room for creativity than the writing of a traditional news story.

8. Leave With A Bang

All the best feature writer leave a little something for the reader who reaches the end of the article. Whether that is a storming conclusion, or something that ties it all together, it is important that there is some sort of conclusion.

It gives your audience a feeling of satisfaction upon reading the article and will make this is the element that will make them look out for the articles that you will write in the future.

The above steps don’t necessarily need to be followed in the order they are written. However, if you are new to this type of writing, they should give you a good starting point as when creating feature articles.

When writing feature articles, you will find a style and a voice that suits you. This is a type of journalistic writing where you can embrace that creative side and run with it.

• What is a feature story example?

Jennifer Senior won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing for an article entitled ‘What Bobby McIlVaine Left Behind’, an article about the human aftermath of grief after 9/11. It is an excellent example of a quality feature article.

• What is the difference between a feature story and a news story?

There are several differences between a feature article and a news story.

Firstly, news articles are time-sensitive, whereas there is more flexibility when a feature can be published as it will still be of interest to the public.

Secondly, feature stories are usually more long-form than news stories, with differences in style employed in both. For instance, news writing often employs the inverted pyramid, where the most important information is at the start. Whereas, feature writing has a tendency to tease out the information throughout the article.

Lastly, the ending of a news story usually happens when all the relevant and available details are shared. On the other hand, a feature story usually ends with the writer tying up the loose-ends that exist with an overall conclusion.

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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Newspapers Part 4: Writing a Feature Article

This collection of free resources can be used to help your student writers as they begin writing feature articles for their own classroom newspaper., this is part 4 in our series on newspapers and focuses on how to teach students to write feature articles..

As part of our series on studying and writing newspapers in the classroom, we are focusing on helping writers learn how to write feature articles for newspapers.

We suggest taking the students through the entire writing process of writing a feature article by modeling how to use each graphic organizer in this set.  In that way students will see how all of the organizers flow together to write the article.

The graphic organizers for this writing newspapers post (with the exception of  one anchor chart) are linked at the bottom of the explanation of lessons.

Ready to focus on writing feature articles you will find our lesson ideas below:.

Lesson 1: Determine Your PAT (Purpose, Audience, Topic) –  Start by brainstorming some good feature article topics.    Use the graphic organizer we have provided to model how to focus on a purpose, audience and topic for a feature article.  Be prepared to use that topic in a guided writing exercise with your students.

Lesson 2: Writing Engaging Leads – Use our  Top Ten Ways to Write Engaging Leads Chart  (click the title to download)  to show students several ways to write creative leads for their feature articles.  One way to make sure students understand each technique is to take the topic that was chosen in the previous lesson and have students practice writing leads in each of the top ten ways.  (You may want to put them into groups for this and assign techniques.)

We have also provided a lined page for practicing leads.  Each has three lined boxes so students can draft a different techniques to determine the best. Some explanations and examples of the techniques on the anchor chart are shown below in case you want to use them as illustrations:

• Lead with a Question   – Helps to immediately get your reader thinking and wondering about the answer  (Have you ever thought about how doughnuts are made?)
• Lead with Dialog  – Introduces the reader to the subjects in the article (“From the time I was only a child, I have always been interested in horses and how to take care of them,” explained Dr. Smith.)
• Lead with a Famous Quote  – Makes the reader want to know how this quote relates to the topic of the article (“To be…or not to be.”  That is the question that twelve-year old Noah seemed to be asking of his friends.)
•   Lead with Onomatopoeia  – A sound effect can create immediate interest in the topic of the article (CRACK! The lightning cut through the old barn and the fire ignited.)
•   Lead with Action  – Gets the reader to start visualizing what has happened (The girls’ horse got spooked and was out of control – running wildly around the field.)
•   Lead with a Small Moment  – Gives the reader a snapshot of something that happened to the subject of the article (The football spiraled through the air towards the receiver and the fans held their breath to see if it would be caught and their dreams of a sectional victory would come true.)
•   Lead with the Ending  – Creates interest in how the story came to that point (It was the first and last time that 30-year old Doug Henry would get the chance to see a space shuttle take off.)
•   Lead with an Interesting Fact  – Teaches the reader something new and sparks interest in the topic (The Kentucky Derby had its first winner in 1875 when Aristides outran his other four-legged foes.)
•   Lead with Strong Feeling or Emotion  – Gets the reader to feel something that will make him/her want to read further (When 22-year old Marian’s dog Pumpkin died, she felt lost and wasn’t sure she would ever be able to find a pet so loyal.)
•   Start with a Flashback   – Helps the reader to relate to the subject or topic of the article (18-year old Aidan only overslept once in all his years of school, but turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to him.)

L esson 3: Organizing a Feature Article   – Use our graphic organizer to model how students should be thinking about the organization of a feature article.  It needs to make sense and flow well, in addition to including critical and pertinent information.   It is also important to note that an article might not require all parts of this organizer.  This is a two page organizer that has a box for the lead and then boxes for students to describe the who, what, when, where and why of their topic.  It also contains a box for other important information that may be important to add.

Lesson 4: Drafting a Feature Article –  Use this final graphic organizer as simply a place to write a first draft for a feature article.  It is labeled with the words lead , body and closing  as a reminder to include all parts.  Again, we recommend that you model how to use this graphic organizer by continuing the writing process with the article the class chose at the beginning of these lessons.

You can download all of the writing feature articles resources as described above by clicking on the link below:

Graphic organizers & other resources for writing a feature article.

In case you are interested, here are the links to the first three in our series on Newspapers as well as a link to our post focusing on vocabulary surrounding newspapers.

• Introduction to Newspapers
• Conducting Interviews
• Writing Captions
• Newspaper Vocabulary

Gladys Malakata

Wednesday 10th of February 2016

This has been very helpful

Irene Zajac

Tuesday 5th of May 2015

Love this series...just in time for my second graders to write an article about a natural disaster. Thank you!!!

I am loving your newspaper series! I do an end-of-year newspaper with my 3rds every year and your resources have been fantastic. Thanks!

Recent Articles

Influencers, feature story examples - step up your writing experience.

A feature story is a piece of long-form nonfiction material that delves deeply into a specific topic. News features, in-depth profiles, human interest stories, science communication, data storytelling, and other types of feature story examples.

What Makes A Feature Story Work?

Examples of feature story, people also ask, final thoughts.

Feature stories are a frequent sort of material for news outlets, especially those who specialize in long-form journalism. Brands are increasingly investing in generating their own high-quality feature stories.RELX, an analytics business , gave a great summary of the aim behind their Eyewitness to Atrocities app.

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Feature Writing (How to write a Feature Article) | Marinel Española

The feature is not frequently written in the inverted pyramid manner of a news article. Hard news story leads that are based on one of the five "Ws" (who, what, when, where, why) or the H (how) are rarely suited for feature stories.

The feature lead "sets the stage" for the plot and cannot, in most cases, stand alone. A feature lead must pique the reader's curiosity. The "grabber" is what draws the reader in and keeps him or her reading.

Many of the criteria that apply to news writing also apply to feature writing: short sentences, simple words, personal words, active verbs, and so on. However, feature pieces might be more enjoyable to write since you can be more imaginative.

When attempting to achieve one of the aforementioned goals, a feature is preferable to a news piece. When learning material is difficult to swallow, a feature such as a "spoonful of sugar" might assist the medication to go down.

Remember that features are often lengthier than news pieces. Before you compose one, make sure the editor will allow you to.

• "Easy" writing is easy to read . That implies short phrases, concise words, active verbs, personal words and transitions to keep the story going forward, interest-building gadgets, and a "kicker" that packs a punch at the end of the feature.
• Sentences that are brief . News pieces with 15 to 20 words per sentence are easy to read for today's large audiences. Sentences longer than 30 words may be difficult to comprehend.
• Paragraphs should be brief . Keep paragraphs brief. And change them up a bit – from one word to five ordinary phrases. Remember that a 100-word paragraph appears to be rather long in a tiny newspaper column. They are disliked by editors. Readers don't either.
• Simple words . Short, straightforward words should be used instead of lengthier, multi-syllable terms with the same meaning. When using a technical or difficult word, explain it as clearly as possible.
• Personal observations . Words like "you," "us," a person's name, a direct quote, and so on add human appeal to your writing. To be sure, this type of personalizing is more common in "feature" pieces than in "hard news" items. However, it is still an effective approach for retaining reader's attention.
• Active verbs . Motion verbs keep a tale moving and capture the reader's attention more than "to be" verbs that show little action.
• Transitions . Used to supplement, illustrate, or extend an argument. They generally start with words like "and," "furthermore," "also," "or," "nor," "furthermore," "moreover," "along with," and so on.
• Creating interest . Personalize the individuals you're writing about and what they're doing; include quotations and human interest information.
• " Kicker ." Whereas the lead or grabber at the beginning of a feature draws the reader in, the kicker at the end of a feature should include a punch line that helps the reader remember the tale.

In the 1930s, the United States federal government established redlining rules that separated Black and white individuals in terms of homeownership. Despite the Supreme Court's 1948 finding that racial discrimination indeed restrictions were unconstitutional, Detroit remains one of the most segregated cities in the country.

NBC News built an immersive and interactive feature story composed of photographs and video to highlight the issue of segregation in modern Detroit to communicate this important topic.

This feature piece is intriguing to read because of the combination of facts, pictures, videos, and interviews with residents who grew up in segregated communities.

Pioneers Post

In the struggle to address climate change, the residents of Gambia, one of Africa's tiniest countries, realized that time is running out. As a result, villagers and family farmers living on the north bank of the Gambia river took matters into their own hands and devised plans to reforest an 8,000-kilometer length of the land.

This Pioneers Post feature article highlights the villagers' hardship and their mission to revitalize the ecosystem and discusses the consequences of global warming on their location through maps and pictures.

Two children were trapped in the flames when an apartment building in La Villeneuve, France, caught fire in 2020. As the residents looked on, the situation became desperate - until a group of locals devised a solution: the youngsters would leap, and the citizens would catch them.

In their interactive feature story, The Catch, the BBC chronicled the events of that day as well as the tales of the hero citizens who saved the children's lives.

The feature article succeeds in immersing the reader in the events that transpired by combining graphics, pictures, and interviews with persons engaged in the life-saving rescue.

The narrative offers an unsettling picture: barely ten days after the French President asked for the deportation of certain foreign-born inhabitants, immigrants were saving children.

Sky News commemoration of the WNBA's 25th season is the final feature piece on our list. From 'We Got Next' through 'Next Steps,' the tale features a plethora of embedded topics to keep the reader intrigued.

Sky News showcases the WNBA's history through a combination of embedded Tweets, images, and videos from individuals who have been a part of it.

And, similar to the Water Aid feature article, Sky News concludes its editorial with a call to action, inviting viewers to watch the WNBA's development on its YouTube and cable television channels.

How Is A Feature Written?

The length of a feature is longer than that of a news story. There are many different kinds of features, and they are used a lot in magazines, newspapers, and on the web. A feature will often go into more depth about a topic than a news story would, or it will look at a story that is already going on from a different point of view.

How Long Is A Feature Story?

On average, they have between 300 and 500 words. Feature stories are often longer and have a unique way of being put together. There can be more than 2000 words in a feature story.

What Is The Purpose Of A Feature Story?

Features go into more depth than regular news stories and give more than just the most important information. The point of these stories is to give a full picture of a place, person, idea, or group.

Slapping a 3000-word article into WordPress is no longer enough to keep your reader interested (regardless of how intriguing the topic is.) With the growth of social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, readers increasingly demand feature stories be more engaging and catch their imagination.

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How to Write a Newspaper Article

Last Updated: March 16, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 324,007 times.

A newspaper article should provide an objective, factual account of an event, person, or place. Most newspaper articles are read quickly or skimmed by the reader, so the most important information should always appear first, followed by descriptive content that rounds out the story. By conducting research and following the correct organizational structure, you can create an informative newspaper article in no time.

Sample Articles

Conducting Interviews and Research

• Your sources should be experts in the field your article is focusing on, such as a certified professional, a professor, or an academic. You can use sources that have extensive experience or background in a field that relates to your article.
• Sources like a witness to an event can also be useful, especially if they have first-hand experience of the topic you are covering.

• You may need to conduct more than 1 interview with your sources, especially if they are a major source for the article. You can also send follow-up questions to your sources as needed.
• You will need to transcribe your interviews by typing them up to ensure you quote your sources correctly. Having transcriptions will also make fact checking your article and backing up your sources much easier.

• Make sure you cite the information properly in your article by noting the name or organization that provided the information. You should have credible sources to back up any claims or arguments made in the article.

• If you are writing the newspaper article for an editor, they may require you to provide a list of your sources for the article to show you have fact checked your work.

Structuring the Article

• For example, you may create a headline like, “Teen Girl Missing in Okotoks” or “Congress Stalls on Family Planning Bill.”
• In some cases, it may be easier to save the headline for last, after you have written the article, so you know what the focus of the article is and can sum it up clearly.

• For example, you may write a lead like, "An outbreak of flu in San Francisco has led to 3 elementary school closings this week, according to school officials." Or, "A missing girl originally from Okotoks was found Monday in an abandoned cabin in the Minnetonka area, according to local police."

• For example, you may write, “10-12 students have been diagnosed with the flu and health officials fear it could continue to spread if it is not contained.”

• For example, you may write, “The teen girl was reported missing on Friday afternoon by her mother after she did not come home from a study date at a friend’s house. She is the second girl to be reported missing in the past 2 weeks from the Okotoks area.”

• For example, you may write, “‘The girl is shaken, but does not appear to have any serious injuries,’ stated local Police Chief Wilborn.” Or you may write, “According to a statement by school officials, ‘The shutdown will prevent the flu from spreading further and ensure the safety of our students.’”
• Avoid using long quotes or more than 4 quotes in the article, as the reader may get confused or lost if there are too many quotations.

• For example, you may write, “The girl’s mother expressed relief for her daughter and concern about her community, noting, ‘I just hope no other girls go missing in this area.’”
• Or you may write, “Local health officials are urging parents to check the municipal health and wellness website, www.hw.org, for updates on when schools are able to reopen.”

Creating the Appropriate Voice and Tone

• For example, rather than write, “The missing girl’s mother thought it had to do with school,” you may write, “The missing girl’s mother thought bullying at school may have caused her daughter’s absences.”

• For example, rather than write, “A press conference will be held by local police tomorrow to address the missing girls and the public’s concerns,” you may write, “Local police will address the missing girls and the public’s concerns in a press conference tomorrow.”

• For example, if you're writing about two political candidates running against each other in an election, present both candidates in an equal light, rather than giving extra details about 1 candidate.
• If you're writing an op-ed piece, it's okay to mix some of your opinions with the facts.

Polishing the Article

• Reading the article aloud can also help you catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

• For example, you may ask others questions like, “Were you able to understand what happened, based on the information in the article?” “Was the language clear and easy to follow?” “Was the article well supported with sources and quotes?”

• If you are writing the newspaper article for a class, make sure it falls within the prescribed word limit for the assignment.

Expert Q&A

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about writing as a career, check out our in-depth interview with Gerald Posner .

• ↑ https://guides.lib.vt.edu/researchmethods/interviews
• ↑ https://www.csus.edu/indiv/o/obriene/art116/readings/guide%20for%20conducting%20interviews.pdf
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2013/01/22/part-4-what-people-want-from-their-libraries/
• ↑ https://settlement.org/ontario/daily-life/communication/ethnic-and-cultural-media/what-is-fake-news-and-how-to-stop-spreading-misinformation/
• ↑ https://www.viasport.ca/communications-toolkit/module-4-how-write-engaging-sports-article
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/journalism_and_journalistic_writing/writing_leads.html
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/05/
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/writing/sources/quoting
• ↑ https://lib.trinity.edu/in-text-citation-and-notes//
• ↑ https://www.csus.edu/campus-safety/police-department/_internal/_documents/rwm.pdf
• ↑ https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

About This Article

To write a newspaper article, gather all of your sources and verify any facts or sources you plan to use. Write an opening sentence that tells the readers the most essential details of the story. Write in third person, active voice, and maintain an authoritative tone throughout the article. Keep in mind the questions “Who,” “What,” “Where,” “When,” “Why,” and “How” when you’re writing your story, and try to answer as many of them as you can. When you’re finished writing the article, craft a short, engaging headline that tells readers what the article is about. To learn how reading your article out loud can help you proofread it, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write an Article for a Newspaper: A Step-by-Step Guide

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on June 15, 2023

Categories Writing

Newspaper articles are essential to journalism, providing readers with the latest news and information on various topics. Writing a newspaper article is not like writing any other informative article. It requires a specific format, style, and tone of voice.

If you are interested in writing a newspaper article, this article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write an article for a newspaper.

Understanding Newspaper Articles:

Before you start writing a newspaper article, it is essential to understand the basic structure of a newspaper article. A newspaper article has a headline, byline, lead paragraph, body, and conclusion. Each section of a newspaper article serves a specific purpose, and knowing how to write each section effectively is essential. In addition, it is essential to understand the difference between a news article and an opinion piece, as they require different writing styles.

Preparing to Write:

Once you understand the structure and purpose of a newspaper article, it is time to prepare to write. This involves researching the topic, gathering information, and interviewing sources. It is essential to have at least two to three primary sources for your article and to contact them as far in advance as possible. This will make arranging interviews with them easier.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the basic structure of a newspaper article is essential before writing one.
• Preparation is key when writing a newspaper article, including researching the topic and gathering information.
• Writing a newspaper article requires a specific format, style, and tone of voice; knowing the difference between a news article and an opinion piece is essential.

Understanding Newspaper Articles

Definition of newspaper articles.

Newspaper articles are written pieces of information reporting current events or issues. They are published in newspapers and are meant to inform readers about what is happening in the world around them.

The purpose of a newspaper article is to provide factual information in an objective and unbiased manner.

Newspaper articles are typically organized in a specific format, with a headline, a lead paragraph, and the body of the article. The headline is a short, attention-grabbing statement summarizing the article’s main point.

The lead paragraph, or lede, is the article’s opening paragraph, which provides the most important information and sets the tone for the rest of the article.

Types of Newspaper Articles

There are several newspaper articles, each with its purpose and style. Some common types of newspaper articles include:

• News articles: These articles report on current events and are meant to inform readers about what is happening around them. News articles are typically written in a straightforward, objective style.
• Feature articles: These articles are longer and more in-depth than news articles. They focus on a specific topic or issue and provide more background information and analysis. Feature articles are often written in a more narrative style and may include quotes from experts or people involved in the story.
• Opinion articles express the author’s opinion on a specific topic or issue. Columnists or editorial writers often write opinion articles to provide a perspective on the news.
• Reviews: These articles critically evaluate a book, movie, or other cultural product. Reviews are often written by critics and are meant to inform readers about the quality of the product.

In conclusion, understanding the different types of newspaper articles and their purpose is essential for writing a good article. By following a newspaper article’s basic structure and style, writers can effectively inform and engage readers with their stories.

Preparing to Write

Before starting to write a news article, one needs to prepare themselves. This section will cover the three essential sub-sections of preparing to write: researching the topic, identifying the target audience, and outlining the article.

Researching the Topic

The first step in preparing to write a news article is researching the topic. Journalists must gather information from primary and secondary sources to write a credible, well-structured article.

Primary sources are documents or objects created during the event or by someone with direct knowledge, such as interviews, letters, or audio recordings. Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or comment on primary sources, such as books, articles, and reviews.

When researching the topic, it is essential to identify the main points and background information. Journalists must present facts and avoid expressing personal opinions. They should also cite their sources and verify the accuracy of the information.

Identifying the Target Audience

The next step is identifying the target audience. Journalists need to know who their readers are to write an article that is relevant and interesting to them. They should consider the reader’s age, gender, education level, and interests.

For example, if the target audience is teenagers, the article should use simple words, short sentences, and examples that are relevant to their lives. If the target audience is professionals, the article should use technical terms and provide relevant details to their field.

Outlining the Article

The final step is outlining the article. The outline should include a headline, a lead paragraph, and subheadings. The headline should be catchy and summarize the article’s main point. The lead paragraph should provide background information and answer the story’s 5Ws and 1H (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

Subheadings should be used to break up the article into sections and make it easier to read. Each section should have a topic sentence that summarizes the section’s main point. Journalists should use complete sentences and avoid using jargon or technical terms that the reader may not understand.

In conclusion, preparing a news article is essential to writing a well-structured and credible article. Journalists should research the topic, identify the target audience, and outline the article to make it relevant and interesting to their readers.

Writing the Article

Crafting a news article for a newspaper requires a structured approach that ensures the article is informative, engaging, and easy to read. Writing involves crafting a lead paragraph, developing the body, and writing the conclusion.

Crafting the Lead Paragraph

The lead paragraph is the most critical part of a news story. It should grab the reader’s attention and summarize the article’s main points. A good lead paragraph should be concise, engaging, and informative. It should answer the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Journalists should start with a topic sentence summarizing the article’s main point to craft a good lead paragraph. They should then provide background information, using secondary sources to support their claims. The lead paragraph should be written in short, complete sentences that are easy to understand.

Developing the Body

The body of a news article should provide details, examples, and personal opinions that support the article’s main point. Journalists should use English effectively, choosing strong verbs and avoiding passive voice. They should also use citations to support their claims and avoid plagiarism.

To develop the body of a news article, journalists should start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the paragraph’s main point. They should then provide details and examples that support the topic sentence. Journalists should use short sentences and avoid using complex words that may confuse the reader.

Writing the Conclusion

The conclusion of a news article should summarize the article’s main points and provide a personal opinion or call to action. Journalists should use the conclusion to tie together the article’s main points and give the reader a clear understanding of the topic.

Journalists should start with a topic sentence summarizing the article’s main points to write a good conclusion. They should then provide a personal opinion or call to action that encourages the reader to take action or further research the topic. The conclusion should be written in short, complete sentences that are easy to understand.

In conclusion, writing a news article for a newspaper requires a structured approach that ensures the article is informative, engaging, and easy to read. Journalists can create articles that inform and engage readers by crafting a lead paragraph, developing the body, and writing the conclusion.

Polishing the Article

Editing and revising.

After completing the article’s first draft, editing and revising it to make it more polished is essential. Editing involves checking the article for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. The writer should also ensure that the article flows smoothly and that the sentences are clear and concise.

On the other hand, revising involves changing the article’s content. The writer should evaluate the article’s structure and organization and ensure it is easy to read and understand. They should also remove any repetitive or irrelevant information and focus on the essential points.

Fact-Checking and Citations

Fact-checking is an essential part of writing an article for a newspaper. The writer should ensure that all the information in the article is accurate and factual. They should also verify the sources of information to ensure that they are reliable and trustworthy.

Citations are also crucial in article writing. The writer should give credit to their sources of information by citing them appropriately. This adds credibility to the article and helps readers find the sources to read more about the topic.

When citing sources, the writer should follow the guidelines provided by the newspaper or publication. They should also use the correct citation style, such as APA or MLA.

In conclusion, polishing an article involves editing, revising, fact-checking, and citing sources. By following these steps, the writer can ensure that their article is well-written, accurate, and credible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you grab the reader’s attention in the first paragraph of a newspaper article.

The first paragraph of a news article is crucial because it sets the tone for the entire piece and determines whether the reader will continue reading.

To grab the reader’s attention, start with a strong lead summarizing the most important information engagingly. Use vivid language and descriptive details to create a sense of urgency and intrigue.

What are the essential elements of a news story?

A news story should include the five W’s: who, what, when, where, and why. It should also answer the H question: how. In addition, a news story should be objective, accurate, and timely. It should provide context and background information to help readers understand the significance of the events being reported.

How do you write a compelling headline for a newspaper article?

A good headline should be concise, informative, and attention-grabbing. It should accurately reflect the article’s content and entice the reader to want to learn more. Use active verbs and strong language to create a sense of urgency and importance. Avoid using puns or wordplay that might confuse or distract the reader.

What are some tips for conducting effective research for a newspaper article?

To conduct effective research for a news article, start by identifying reliable sources of information. These might include government websites, academic journals, and interviews with experts or eyewitnesses.

Be sure to fact-check all information and verify the credibility of your sources. Organize your notes and keep track of your sources to make it easier to write the article later.

How do you structure the body of a newspaper article?

The body of a newspaper article should be organized in a logical and easy-to-follow way. Start with the most important information and work down to the details.

Use short paragraphs and subheadings to break up the text and make it easier to read. Include quotes from sources to provide additional perspectives and insights.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a newspaper article?

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a news article include using biased language, making assumptions, and including irrelevant or inaccurate information. It’s important to remain objective and stick to the facts.

Avoid sensationalizing the story or injecting your opinions or biases into the article. Finally, proofread your work carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

How to Write a Newspaper Article

17 August 2023

last updated

Newspaper articles are an essential part of journalism or blog writing. Basically, such types of papers inform people and influence their opinion on different topics. In this case, the primary motivation of the writer is to supply vital information first. Later, reporters give additional details. Hence, people need to know the main rules of how to write a newspaper article. In turn, when writing a paper, one should create an attractive headline and byline, a lead, the story, credible sources, and ending.

Creating an Attractive Headline and Byline in the Article

An outstanding newspaper article should have a catchy and precise headline and byline. Firstly, if writers are familiar with the main principles of how to write a newspaper article, they know that the headline makes or breaks the interest of the audience. Also, fascinating, engaging, and creative headlines grab the reader’s attention. In this case, the writer can entice them to read the content. Moreover, credible sources of information should contain a byline, which is the name of the author. In turn, the audience wants to know the person who created the story to determine its authenticity. Therefore, one must include a likable and accurate title.

How to Write a Newspaper Article With a Lead

Every news article should have a lead that provides a preview of the story. For example, the first paragraph must cover an overview of the narrative by considering how to write a newspaper article. In this case, one must summarize details and include basic facts. Also, successful writers use attractive phrases in the first section. In turn, an adequate choice of words determines if the people can read the account. Thus, one must develop an effective first paragraph to motivate the audience to understand the material.

Writing the Body of a Newspaper Article

The body of a news article contains the story, rich in facts and evidence. For instance, one should give proof drawn from primary and secondary papers. In this case, the writer should not interpret events or provide a personal opinion. Besides, all the details must follow a chronological order, considering how to write a newspaper article. Then, the body of the article should have precise phrases and statements. In turn, one should use active voice. Besides, all comments should be clear and short. Thus, authors should present facts and evidence in the body by using comprehensible sentences.

Using Credible Sources

Useful newspaper articles should have reliable sources . For instance, the writer draws evidence from secondary sources to follow the rules of how to write a newspaper article. In this case, one should cite all the sources correctly. Besides, the references should use credible sources. For example, peer-reviewed journals, books, and government websites are good sources of information. In turn, the author must avoid vague data and facts. Thus, it is essential to include all the references used to get the required information.

Practical newspaper articles should have an ending since people understand how to write a newspaper article. For instance, the conclusion must bring closure to the story. In this case, one should not include new details in the last section. Besides, it is essential to use an interesting quote to end the story. Therefore, one must complete the story with a relevant summary of the major points presented.

Summing Up on How to Write a Newspaper Article

In conclusion, if people know how to write a newspaper article, they start by creating an attractive headline. Basically, the quality of the heading determines if the target audience will read the story. Then, one should include a byline, which contains full names of the author. In this case, the viewer uses these details to determine the credibility of the story. Moreover, the introduction paragraphs should provide a summary of the story and catchphrase that entice the readers. In turn, the story must contain verifiable evidence from credible sources. Finally, one must end the story with an appropriate conclusion.

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Billie Eilish Admitted That She Was “Concerned” Her Career Was “Over” Before She Wrote Her “Barbie” Hit

“I was honestly like, ‘Damn, maybe I hit my peak and I don’t know how to write anymore?’” Billie admitted.

BuzzFeed Staff

Billie Eilish was just 13 years old when she released one of her most successful songs to date, “Ocean Eyes.”

The track, which was written by her older brother and frequent collaborator, Finneas , immediately blew up after being uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015, and before long, Billie had been signed to a record label and written her first EP.

By 16, she was headlining a global tour and collaborating with prominent artists. And at 17, Billie released her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? , which became the highest-selling debut album of 2019.

And Billie’s huge stardom has only continued to grow over the years, with the artist, now 21, collecting several prominent awards — like Grammys and an Oscar — for her work.

So it’s perhaps unsurprising to some that after being thrust into the spotlight virtually overnight and spending years penning such successful songs, Billie recently wound up experiencing a period of feeling burned out when it came to making new music.

Sitting down with Zane Lowe in July for a candid conversation, Billie revealed that she and Finneas grew “incredibly uninspired” and felt as though they'd “lost” their songwriting magic earlier this year.

“We were really in a zone of feeling like we lost it and feeling like, ‘Man, I don't know if we can do this anymore,’” she said. “I was 15 years old, 16, 17, and he’s a teenager; you can imagine my thoughts of doubt. Like, Oh, I can't do this anymore. ”

But Billie went on to reveal that things changed for her massively once she was asked to feature on the soundtrack of Barbie , which was released this summer. With Finneas, Billie wrote the song “What Was I Made For?,” which she admitted was the “first thing” they’d managed to write together in a while.

Now opening up further about this period of feeling uninspired, Billie admitted that she was actually “concerned” that her career was “over” before the release of her Barbie hit.

This week, Billie took part in the Hollywood Reporter ’s songwriter roundtable, which also featured artists Dua Lipa , Olivia Rodrigo , Jon Batiste, Cynthia Erivo , and Julia Michaels .

View this photo on Instagram

Speaking candidly about feeling uninspired, Billie told her industry peers, “I honestly was concerned that it was over for me. I’ve got to be honest with you.”

She admitted, “we’d been trying, and it wasn’t doing what it usually would do in me. i was honestly like, ‘damn, maybe i hit my peak and i don’t know how to write anymore’”.

Billie went on to say that Barbie director Greta Gerwig “saved” her when she FaceTimed her and asked her to feature on the film’s renowned soundtrack.

“I thank God for Greta, man,” she said. “She saved me, really, honestly.”

Billie added, “It brought us out of it, and immediately we were inspired and wrote so much more after that.”

You can read Billie’s comments in full here .

Topics in this article.

• Billie Eilish
• Greta Gerwig

Leyla Mohammed a is Celebrity Reporter for BuzzFeed UK and is based in London.

Contact Leyla Mohammed at [email protected] .

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Readout of President Joe   Biden’s Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of   China

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today held a Summit with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in Woodside, California.  The two leaders held a candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral and global issues including areas of potential cooperation and exchanged views on areas of difference. 

President Biden emphasized that the United States and China are in competition, noting that the United States would continue to invest in the sources of American strength at home and align with allies and partners around the world.  He stressed that the United States would always stand up for its interests, its values, and its allies and partners.  He reiterated that the world expects the United States and China to manage competition responsibly to prevent it from veering into conflict, confrontation, or a new Cold War.

The two leaders made progress on a number of key issues. They welcomed the resumption of bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counternarcotics issues. President Biden stressed that this new step will advance the U.S. whole-of-government effort to counter the evolving threat of illicit synthetic drugs and to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals and pill presses to drug cartels.

The two leaders welcomed the resumption of high-level military-to-military communication, as well as the U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the U.S.-China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings.  Both sides are also resuming telephone conversations between theater commanders.

The leaders affirmed the need to address the risks of advanced AI systems and improve AI safety through U.S.-China government talks.

The two leaders exchanged views on key regional and global challenges.  President Biden underscored the United States’ support for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.  The President reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to defending our Indo-Pacific allies.  The President emphasized the United States’ enduring commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, adherence to international law, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and East China Sea, and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula .

President Biden reaffirmed that the United States, alongside allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, to ensure Ukraine emerges from this war as a democratic, independent, sovereign, and prosperous nation that can deter and defend itself against future aggression.  Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, the President reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism and emphasized the importance of all countries using their influence to prevent escalation and expansion of the conflict.

President Biden underscored the universality of human rights and the responsibility of all nations to respect their international human rights commitments. He raised concerns regarding PRC human rights abuses, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.  On Taiwan, President Biden emphasized that our one China policy has not changed and has been consistent across decades and administrations.  He reiterated that the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, and that the world has an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.  He called for restraint in the PRC’s use of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait.  President Biden also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies, non-market economic practices, and punitive actions against U.S. firms, which harm American workers and families.  The President emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our own national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment. 

The President again emphasized that it remains a priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.  

The two leaders reiterated the importance of ties between the people of the United States and the People’s Republic of China, and committed to work towards a significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights early next year, in parallel with actions to restore full implementation of the U.S.-China air transportation agreement, to support exchanges between the two countries. The two leaders also encouraged the expansion of educational, student, youth, cultural, sports, and business exchanges.

The two leaders underscored the importance of working together to accelerate efforts to tackle the climate crisis in this critical decade.  They welcomed recent positive discussions between their respective special envoys for climate, including on national actions to reduce emissions in the 2020s, on common approaches toward a successful COP 28, and on operationalizing the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s to accelerate concrete climate actions. President Biden stated that the United States stands ready to work together with the PRC to address transnational challenges, such as health security and debt and climate finance in developing countries and emerging markets.

Building on the November 2022 meeting in Bali where they discussed the development of principles related to U.S. – China relations, the two leaders acknowledged the efforts of their respective teams to explore best practices for the relationship.  They stressed the importance of responsibly managing competitive aspects of the relationship, preventing conflict, maintaining open lines of communication, cooperating on areas of shared interest, upholding the UN Charter, and all countries treating each other with respect and finding a way to live alongside each other peacefully. The leaders welcomed continued discussions in this regard.

The two leaders agreed that their teams will follow-up on their discussions in San Francisco with continued high-level diplomacy and interactions, including visits in both directions and ongoing working-level consultations in key areas, including on commercial, economic, financial, Asia-Pacific, arms control and nonproliferation, maritime, export control enforcement, policy-planning, agriculture, and disability issues.

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Warner bros. shelves john cena’s ‘coyote vs. acme’ movie a year after it completed filming (exclusive).

The feature was greenlit as an HBO Max film before being considered for a theatrical release.

By Borys Kit , Aaron Couch November 9, 2023 12:37pm

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A little over a year after the shelving of Batgirl sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood, Warner Bros. is putting another of its films in the studio vault.

Warners no longer plans to release Coyote vs. Acme , a live-action, CG animation hybrid that completed principal photography last year in New Mexico. The move follows veteran animation executive Bill Damaschke taking over Warner Animation Group earlier this year.

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The feature, which sources believe cost around $72 million to make, had key Warners talent involved in front of the camera and behind the scenes. It stars John Cena , who starred in Max’s popular DC show Peacemaker and who is due to return for the second season. And DC Studios co-head James Gunn produced the feature and worked on the story. Warners is intent on staying in business with filmmaker Green and is developing a project at sister movie arm New Line Cinema.

“With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases,” a WB Motion Picture Group spokesperson said in a statement. “With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with  Coyote vs Acme . We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”

The previous Warners regime greenlit the movie in December 2020 as a production for HBO Max, its fledgling streaming service. It later announced that Coyote would get a release on July 21, 2023. No trailer was ever released for the film, leading to questions about the studio’s intentions for the project. In April 2022, Warners removed the feature from its release calendar, putting Barbie on its July 21 release date.

The film was based on Ian Frazier’s “Coyote v. Acme,” a humor article published by The New Yorker in 1990.

Warners shelved the $90 million Batgirl and the $40 million animated feature Scoob! Holiday Haunt in August 2022 as a tax write-down, with newly installed Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav seeking to find $3 billion in savings across the newly created media conglomerate. Both Batgirl and Scoob! were intended for streaming, with Zaslav also shifting strategy in favor of theatrical releases. The move caused an outcry among the creative community.

Sources say that the studio, in this case, at least gave the filmmakers advance notice of the decision.

In his statement Thursday, Green concluded: “I am beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision. But in the spirit of Wile E. Coyte, resilience and persistence win the day.”

Nov. 9, 1:59 p.m. Updated with the statement from Green.

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• Artificial Intelligence /

Sam Altman is still trying to return as OpenAI CEO

Altman’s move to microsoft isn’t a done deal, and ilya sutskever’s flip to supporting altman means two board members need to change their minds..

By Alex Heath and Nilay Patel

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Sam Altman’s surprise move to Microsoft after his shock firing at OpenAI isn’t a done deal. He and co-founder Greg Brockman are still willing to return to OpenAI if the remaining board members who fired him step aside, multiple sources tell The Verge.

The promised mass exodus of virtually every OpenAI employee — including board member and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, who led the initial move to depose Altman! — means that there is more pressure on the board than ever, with only two of the three remaining members needing to flip. Altman posted on X that “we are all going to work together some way or other,” which we are told is meant to indicate that the fight continues.

Altman, former president Brockman, and the company’s investors are still trying to find a graceful exit for the board, say multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation. The sources characterized the hiring announcement by Microsoft, which needed to have a resolution to the crisis before the stock market opened on Monday, as a “holding pattern.”

A spokesperson for Microsoft declined to comment.

Update November 20th, 6:18PM ET:  After this story was published, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg TV. When asked directly by CNBC’s Jon Fortt if Sam Altman and OpenAI’s staffers would join Microsoft, Nadella said “that is for the OpenAI board and management and employees to choose.” He followed by saying that Microsoft “chose to explicitly partner with OpenAI [and] obviously that depends on the people at OpenAI staying there or coming to Microsoft, so I’m open to both options.”

On the topic of whether Microsoft needs a seat on OpenAI’s board, he said that “it’s clear something has to change around the governance — we will have a good dialogue with their board on that, and walk through that as that evolves.”

On Bloomberg TV , Nadella told Emily Chang that “surprises are bad” and Microsoft will “definitely want some governance changes. This idea that changes happen without being in the loop is not good.” When Chang asked who OpenAI’s CEO would be tomorrow, Nadella laughed and said “I will leave it with OpenAI and its board.”

Here’s the rest of our original story:

After Altman was suddenly fired on Friday , negotiations with the board to potentially bring him back reached a stalemate. While OpenAI’s management team and investors were vetting candidates to replace the board for Altman’s potential return, the board was quietly conducting its own CEO search in parallel. Late Sunday, the board announced that Emmett Shear, the co-founder of Twitch, would be CEO , seemingly putting an end to the possibility of Altman coming back.

Employees responded to the news of a new CEO in OpenAI’s Slack with a ‘fuck you’ emoji

There has been a nonstop power struggle inside OpenAI since Friday, with nearly all employees against the now three-person board that opposes Altman. Employees at the company’s San Francisco headquarters refused to attend an emergency all-hands scheduled on Sunday with new CEO Emmett Shear, according to a person familiar with the matter, who added that they responded to the announcement in OpenAI’s Slack with a “fuck you” emoji.

Later that evening, Sutskever flipped on the board , even though he had played a key role in the ousting of Altman just days earlier. His name was on an open letter to the board on Monday calling for them to resign and reinstate Altman , which nearly the whole company has now signed.

On Monday, employees started posting on social media that they are continuing to keep the lights on and maintain service stability for OpenAI’s developers, which we’re told is being done to ensure the company doesn’t fully implode while the board is pressured to resign.

New CEO Emmett Shear has so far been unable to get written documentation of the board’s detailed reasoning for firing Altman, which also hasn’t been shared with the company’s investors, according to people familiar with the situation. He said in a note to employees Sunday night that his first order of business would be to “hire an independent investigator to dig into the entire process leading up to this point and generate a full report.”

Do you know more about what’s going on inside OpenAI? I’d love to chat. You can reach me by email at [email protected] or through the contact form on my Linktree . Then we can set up a secure channel.

Moments after this story was first published, Altman said in another X post that his “top priority remains to ensure openai continues to thrive,” and that he and Microsoft “are committed to fully providing continuity of operations to our partners and customers.”

It’s not clear how going to Microsoft with over 700 former OpenAI employees is compatible with ensuring OpenAI continues to thrive, or how that can be reasonably set as a priority for those former employees once they are working at Microsoft. Also: Altman is not in Microsoft’s internal corporate directory yet .

The remaining board holdouts who oppose Altman are Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, former GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner, the director of strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. They have so far not responded to The Verge ’s requests for comment.

Command Line

/ A newsletter from Alex Heath about the tech industry’s inside conversation.

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