Writing Feature Articles - Step 1 - Lesson 1 | Page 5

Writing Feature Articles - Lesson .
Mini Lesson (

min)

Show lesson visuals, De?ne a Feature Article.
Today’s Strategy: To develop an understanding of the genre of feature articles by examining examples
and non-examples.
Welcome students to Writing Feature Articles. Explain that students will become non?ction reporters
who write about a person, place, event or phenomenon that interests them. Tell students that they will
have an opportunity to choose their own topics, investigate them, craft articles and publish online. Show
the introductory animated program for Step 1, Generate Your Topic. Emphasize the ownership that
students will have over the ?nal written piece and its presentation.
Explain that today’s lesson will focus on ?nding out exactly what a feature article is. A feature
article goes beyond a typical news story. It doesn’t just tell the what, when, where and who of an event.
A feature article takes a detailed look at a speci?c aspect of a story and involves the reader in its human
side. Feature articles usually take up more space in a newspaper or magazine. They aren’t written
immediately after a big event, but take time to develop. By the end of today’s lesson, students will not
only be able to explain what a feature article is; they will also begin to generate ideas for their own
articles.
Introduce the four main characteristics of a feature article and post them in the classroom, so
that they may be referred to throughout the unit.
Feature articles:
?? Have a focused topic – Feature articles focus narrowly on a speci?c person, place, event or
phenomenon and not a general subject.
?? Provide a new angle – Feature articles are clearly written from a particular perspective. They
often tell the human side of a story, allowing the reader to understand events or phenomena
through stories of individuals involved in the topic. Many times this human side is noticeable right
from the beginning in the article’s lead.
?? Have “features” – Feature articles often include bold titles, catchy headings, photos, captions and
other graphics. However, not all texts that have “features” are feature articles.
?? Go in-depth – Feature articles go into their topics in detail. They try to bring the reader a more
complete understanding than what might be gained through a simple news summary.

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