A news feature is a piece of news that’s reported in a storylike fashion. It may take a broader view of a topic or focus on people behind the news.
The best news features entertain while informing readers. They also often have a long shelf life, unlike breaking news that can quickly go stale or become obsolete. Some examples of a news feature might include a profile of a celebrity, an exploration of an historical event or phenomenon, a look at the latest below-the-knee hoop skirts, or an interview with a well-known scientist.
Choosing a subject for a news feature can be difficult. Writers should think about what interests them and what the audience might find interesting. Then they need to do some research on the topic to ensure that they have enough information to present.
For example, if a newspaper reports on a local methamphetamine epidemic, they would need to collect facts such as arrest statistics from police departments, treatment numbers from hospitals and drug counselors, and interviews with people involved in the meth epidemic. Then they need to present the facts in a way that makes sense for the readers, such as by presenting an infographic or using different types of text.
Another challenge with writing a news feature is that it isn’t as time-sensitive as a standard news article. So writers need to be able to work at a slower pace and to keep in mind the goal of entertaining while informing. A good way to do that is by following the “show, don’t tell” writing technique. For example, instead of saying that Johnny ran up the hill, say something like, “Johnny puffed and gasped as his legs pushed against the dirt.”