How to Craft the Perfect Feature Story

Gary-Alan Hopkins
Apr 8, 2021
5 min read

Writing a feature or column is different than writing a News story. Up until this point we have discussed topics like "How to Write an Effective Lead," "Media Writing & AP Style: What is AP style?" and "Writing for Media: Key information you will need."

While discussion on these topics will help in your quest to write the perfect feature story they explore key components of good journalism but don't summarize the details of a perfect feature story.

So let's begin with discussing the details that go into crafting the perfect feature.

Prepare & Research

While time doesn't always allow for proper extensive research you should start any feature story by researching the protagonist of the story.

This can take the form of interviews, internet research, pull old interviews or stories from media and review them for any potential angles. Go to home, away and practice games. Interview current and past friends, family, coaches, other players, roommates, classmates, etc.

Check out their social media accounts too.

Review old published stories about your story's protagonist from university, local or national media outlets.

Get to know as much as you can about the individual by gathering as much data as you can find. Always make notes on important details or possible story angles or hooks.

Once you have as much information as you can gather; review the this information and any notes you took to look for your story's angle or hook.

Interviewing

We've discussed the structure, key information and techniques on conducting an

interviewing in a previous two part blog series so there is no need to go into the details on what makes for an effective interview in this post. However, I will highlight specific key information for creating the perfect feature.

Based on your research come up with a list of questions you think your readers will be interested in learn more about. Don't be afraid to ask sensitive questions.

For your questions use more open-ended and probing questions than closed-ended questions as this will yield more useable information.

Call your source(s) and setup a time, date and location of the interview. If the protagonist is busy or unavailable don't be afraid to call back until you get a definitive answer.

Also, be candid with your sources. Inform them on why your are writing the story and what it will be about. Do not hide the purpose of your story as this can cause undue conflict and hurt feeling which can restrict future access.

Setting the Scene

The setting of the scene(s) where the story took place will provide an interesting backdrop to a story and will add interest for the reader.

What does the scene(s) look, feel or smell like? Describe the details of the scene(s) for your reader. Bring your reader into your journey.

Which would you rather spend time reading...

It was a warm spring day in the small California ocean beach community of Santa Barbara. As the cool ocean breeze drifts off the Pacific Ocean I sit alone on a quiet patio sipping on an overheated cup Sumatra coffee waiting for (insert name) to arrive for our 8 a.m. meeting.

I'm sitting waiting for (insert name) to arrive. I picked a local coffee house in Santa Barbara. The coffee isn't half bad but I wouldn't call it the best cup of joe in town.

As you can see setting the scene to your story can increase interest with your potential readers.

Character Development

Character development is an important part of any good story.

Give your protagonist a personality. Let your readers feel the tension, emotions, stress, etc. of your sources and protagonist.

Describe, in detail, people's appearance, actions and other facets that bring the person to life for your readers.

Conflict

Conflict adds complexity to the story.

A good story will have some type of conflict. Fortunately, for sports reporters, conflict is an integral part of sporting events. The competition is the conflict.

Crafting the Perfect Feature Story

Now that you have all your research gathered and you interviewed all your sources, and found your story's angle we can sit down and begin to write.

Make it easy for your readers. Explain and define words that may not be familiar to most people.

Provide your readers with an excellent lede and nut graf so, you don't lose them.

If the feature is extremely long say, greater than 2,500 words, break it down into sections or chapters for easier reading; especially if your story will be published online.

Conclusion

In this post we discussed many facets that make for crafting the perfect feature story. But let's wrap up this post by reviewing what we learned. While these are broken down into steps you don't really need to do these in the order laid out below.

First, research and gather as much information from a wide variety of sources.

Friends, Family, Neighbors, Coaches, Other Players, Roommates, etc.
Scroll through their social media profiles.
Review past articles, stories and interviews.
Take plenty of notes about important information or potential story angles.

Second, interview your protagonist and all sources.

Based on your research come up with a final question protocol for all of your sources.
Don't be afraid to ask sensitive questions in a professional and respectful manner.
Use more open-ended and probing questions than closed-ended questions as this will yield more useable information.
Call your source(s) and setup a time, date and location of the interview.
Be candid with your sources. Inform them on why your are writing the story and what it will be about. Do not hide the purpose of your story as this can cause undue conflict and hurt feeling which can restrict future access.

Third, is setting the scene.

What does the scene(s) look, feel or smell like?
Describe the details of the scene(s) for your reader.
Bring your reader into your journey.

Fourth, is character development.

Give your protagonist a personality.
Let your readers feel the tension, emotions, stress, etc. of your sources and protagonist.
Describe, in detail, people's appearance, actions and other facets that bring the person to life for your readers.

Fifth, is conflict.

Conflict is important to a story. Sports reporters covering sporting events or athlete have plenty of examples of conflict. Find it and highlight the situation.

Lastly, writing a perfect feature story.

What is the angle or hook of your story?
Provide your readers with an excellent lede and nut graf so, you don't lose them.
Make it easy for your readers. Explain and define words that may not be familiar to most people.
If the feature is extremely long say, greater than 2,500 words, break it down into sections or chapters for easier reading; especially if your story will be published online.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Hopefully, it offers some help and answers some of your questions about writing a feature story. Please comment below by sharing your favorite or most memorable featured story. Why is it your favorite or most memorable? What type of lede does the story have?