A news feature is a non-news story that focuses on a specific topic, often using a narrative style to engage the reader. Unlike news reports, which are largely factual and time-sensitive, features dig deeper into topics and examine trends or significant issues. They also tend to be more subjective and emotive than news stories.
Depending on the subject, there are many different types of news features. Profiles, for example, tell the story of a particular person or public figure and may focus on an aspect of their life that is related to current events. Similarly, human interest articles are about achievements or problems that evoke emotions and can teach the audience a lesson or raise awareness. Alternatively, an interpretive feature can take a controversial stance on an issue and explore it with facts and expert input.
While news articles must be clear and concise, features are more flexible in terms of length and structure. Typically, they are longer than news stories and require more research and planning to produce. They can include photos, quotes, charts and diagrams to support and illustrate the information in the article.
A news feature’s introduction should make a bold statement that grabs the reader’s attention and introduces the article’s purpose. It should also include some background information about the topic and explain why it is important. It is also helpful to include a timeline of the event or trend, as this will help readers to understand the context of the article.