Writing Feature Articles - Step 1 - Lesson 1 | Page 7

Writing Feature Articles - Lesson .
Narrative
Let’s look at a feature article together. I want to show you how to preview and identify if it has the
characteristics of a feature article. The title of this article is “NBA Star Sells $15 Sneakers.” The caption
underneath the title tells me a little bit more about what to expect in the article. “New York Knicks guard
Stephon Marbury makes sneakers affordable.” Now I know this is about Stephon Marbury who plays for
the New York Knicks and that he has an inexpensive brand of sneakers. When I scan the other parts of
the article, I notice there is a picture and a survey question. The photo tells me what the sneaker looks
like – it looks like most other basketball shoes – but I know most of them sell for more than $100. The
survey question asks how much I would pay for sneakers.
All of this information gives me clues about what I can expect in the article. I know:
?? Stephon Marbury is selling sneakers.
?? They are only $15.
?? They look like other basketball sneakers.
?? They are popular.
I can make a prediction about what information might be in the article. I think the article is going to
discuss why he is selling these sneakers and if the sneakers are as good as other, expensive basketball
sneakers.
Let me see if this article has the characteristics of a feature article.
?? It does have a focused topic. It is not just about basketball sneakers in general – it is about
Stephon Marbury’s new product.
?? It does provide a new angle. It is about a really inexpensive basketball sneaker, which is
unusual.
?? It does have features. It has a photo with a caption and a survey question with results.
In order to know if it goes in-depth I can look at the section titles and read the ?rst part of the article. By
reading the section titles, “Growth of the Signature Shoe” and “Not Everyone is Happy,” I can tell the
article provides background about the history of signature shoes and provides multiple perspectives.
This article does go in-depth.

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