Feature stories come in various types, each serving a unique purpose. From profiles that delve into individuals' lives to human interest stories that tug at heartstrings, these narratives offer readers a deeper understanding of people, trends, and complex topics.

Choosing the right feature story type is crucial for effectively conveying information to your audience. By analyzing published examples, writers can learn how to structure their stories, engage readers, and adapt their style to different subjects and audiences.

Feature Story Types

Distinct Categories

• Profiles provide an in-depth look at an individual person's life, work, or experiences
  • Focus on offering insights into the subject's character, motivations, and impact
  • Often employ a narrative structure that combines biographical information with anecdotes, quotes, and descriptive details (Steve Jobs profile in Rolling Stone)
• Human interest stories highlight compelling, often extraordinary, experiences of ordinary people
  • Aim to evoke an emotional response and create a connection between the reader and the subject
  • Typically follow a dramatic arc, starting with an engaging lead, building tension or emotion, and concluding with a meaningful resolution or lesson (a story about a single mother overcoming adversity to graduate college)
• Trend stories identify and explore current or emerging trends in society, culture, or specific industries
  • Analyze the causes, effects, and potential future implications of these trends
  • Use a combination of data, expert opinions, and real-world examples to establish the trend's existence and significance (the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic)
• Explanatory features, or "explainers," break down complex topics, processes, or issues
  • Make the subject more accessible and understandable to the reader by providing background information, context, and expert insights
  • Use clear, concise language, analogies, and visual aids to engage the reader (an explanation of how mRNA vaccines work)
• Behind-the-scenes features offer readers a glimpse into the inner workings of an organization, event, or process that is typically hidden from public view
  • Satisfy curiosity and provide exclusive insights
  • Employ a narrative structure that takes the reader on a journey, using vivid descriptions, quotes from insiders, and exclusive details (a look inside the operations of a Michelin-starred restaurant kitchen)

Purposes and Characteristics

• Each feature story type has its own unique purposes and characteristics that distinguish it from others
  • Profiles: Offer insights into a subject's character, motivations, and impact
  • Human interest stories: Evoke emotional responses and create connections between readers and subjects
  • Trend stories: Identify and analyze the causes, effects, and implications of current or emerging trends
  • Explanatory features: Break down complex topics to make them more accessible and understandable
  • Behind-the-scenes features: Provide exclusive insights into typically hidden organizations, events, or processes
• Understanding the differences between feature story types is essential for choosing the most effective approach when writing about a specific topic or for a particular audience

Feature Story Applications

Aligning Story Type with Subject Matter and Audience

• The choice of feature story type should align with the nature of the subject matter and the interests of the target audience
  • Profiles are well-suited for subjects who have achieved notable success, made significant contributions, or have unique personal stories that resonate with readers (a profile of a local community leader)
  • Human interest stories are effective when the subject's experience is relatable, inspiring, or emotionally compelling to the target audience (a story about a child battling a rare disease)
  • Trend stories are appropriate when a particular trend is relevant to the target audience's lives, work, or interests, and when there is sufficient data or examples to support the trend's existence and significance (the growing popularity of plant-based diets among millennials)
  • Explanatory features are useful when the target audience needs to understand a complex topic that affects their lives, such as a new policy, scientific discovery, or technological advancement (explaining how blockchain technology works)
  • Behind-the-scenes features are suitable when the target audience has a strong interest in a particular organization, event, or process, and when access to insider information can provide valuable insights or satisfy curiosity (a look behind the scenes of a major music festival)

Considerations for Choosing the Right Feature Story Type

• Assess the nature of the subject matter and determine which feature story type would be most effective in conveying the desired information or message
• Consider the interests, needs, and preferences of the target audience when selecting a feature story type
  • What type of information or insights would be most valuable or engaging for them?
  • Which feature story type would best resonate with their experiences, curiosity, or concerns?
• Evaluate the availability of information, sources, and examples that can support the chosen feature story type
  • Ensure there is sufficient material to develop a comprehensive and compelling story within the selected format

Feature Story Analysis

Studying Published Examples

• Analyzing published examples of each type of feature story helps writers understand the common structural elements, writing techniques, and stylistic approaches used in each category
  • Pay attention to how the story is organized, how information is presented, and how the writer engages the reader
  • Note the use of narrative techniques, descriptive language, quotes, and other stylistic elements that contribute to the story's effectiveness
• Examples of structural and stylistic elements in different feature story types:
  • Profile features: Narrative structure, biographical information, anecdotes, quotes, and descriptive details (a profile of a famous actor in Vanity Fair)
  • Human interest stories: Dramatic arc, engaging lead, building tension or emotion, meaningful resolution or lesson (a story about a refugee family's journey to safety in a national newspaper)
  • Trend stories: Combination of data, expert opinions, and real-world examples; exploration of causes and consequences (a trend story about the rise of e-sports in a technology magazine)
  • Explanatory features: Clear, concise language; analogies; visual aids; accessible and engaging information (an explanation of quantum computing in a science publication)
  • Behind-the-scenes features: Narrative journey, vivid descriptions, quotes from insiders, exclusive details (a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a blockbuster movie in an entertainment magazine)

Benefits of Analyzing Feature Story Examples

• Enhances understanding of the unique characteristics and conventions of each feature story type
• Provides inspiration and guidance for structuring and crafting compelling feature stories
• Helps writers identify effective techniques and approaches to engage readers and convey information in a meaningful way
• Offers insights into how to adapt writing style and structure to suit different subject matters and target audiences