Feature writing is all about finding compelling angles that resonate with readers. From emotional human interest stories to timely trend pieces, journalists must tap into what makes a story unique and engaging.

Developing strong feature ideas requires a mix of creativity and news sense. Writers need to assess newsworthiness factors like timeliness and relevance while also crafting narratives that connect on a personal level through vivid storytelling techniques.

Story Angles

Emotional and Human Interest Elements

• Human interest stories focus on personal experiences and struggles of individuals or groups
• Emotional appeal engages readers by evoking feelings (empathy, joy, sadness)
• Uniqueness highlights uncommon or extraordinary aspects of a situation or person
• Compelling narratives often combine multiple angles to create a well-rounded story
• Writers use descriptive language and vivid details to bring stories to life

Techniques for Developing Story Angles

• Conduct in-depth interviews to uncover personal anecdotes and perspectives
• Research historical context to add depth to current events
• Explore cultural significance of traditions or practices
• Analyze societal impacts of individual actions or decisions
• Identify universal themes that resonate with a broad audience

Newsworthiness Factors

Timeliness and Relevance

• Timeliness refers to the immediacy or currency of a story
• Recent events or developments often have higher news value
• Relevance connects the story to readers' interests, concerns, or daily lives
• News pegs link feature stories to current events or trending topics
• Seasonal themes can make stories timely (holiday traditions, back-to-school)

Assessing and Enhancing Newsworthiness

• Monitor current events and social media trends for potential story ideas
• Identify anniversaries of significant historical events as news pegs
• Analyze local impacts of national or global issues to increase relevance
• Consider the target audience's demographics and interests
• Look for unique angles on popular topics to stand out from other coverage

Types of Feature Stories

Trend and Seasonal Stories

• Trend stories examine emerging patterns or shifts in society, culture, or technology
• Writers research statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples to support trend analysis
• Seasonal stories focus on recurring events or themes tied to specific times of year
• Holiday traditions, annual festivals, and sports seasons often inspire seasonal features
• Both trend and seasonal stories require thorough research and multiple sources

Evergreen Content and Long-Form Features

• Evergreen content remains relevant and interesting over extended periods
• Topics include timeless human experiences, historical events, or enduring cultural phenomena
• Long-form features provide in-depth exploration of complex subjects
• Writers often combine multiple storytelling techniques in long-form pieces
• Extensive research, interviews, and fact-checking are crucial for comprehensive features