Structure of Features-Feature and Coloumn Writing-Lecture Handout, Exercises of Mass Communication

Download Structure of Features-Feature and Coloumn Writing-Lecture Handout and more Exercises Mass Communication in PDF only on Docsity! LESSON 08 STRUCTURE OF FEATURES Generally speaking, there might not any significance about the structure of a feature, and people will like to divide it into three major portions, that is, the Intro, body and conclusion. However, with the passage of time and considering the reservations and constraints of the readers, one must be giving due attention to the division, and especially the transition from one portion to another, as a reader must be carried along with it. Otherwise, he might lose interest in the middle, and would never read that article again. A feature is seldom written in the traditional inverted pyramid pattern or it can be written in a narrative fashion, much like a good joke or anecdote. A good feature requires as much organisation as the straight news story, for the feature has to flow smoothly and parts of a feature story must be kept intact if it is to succeed. In the well-planned story, every paragraph, every sentence, should add to the total effect. However, the structure may vary from feature to feature. However, it goes like this when it is written with the usual standards. Intro or Lead The lead must attract immediate attention and pull the reader into the story. Leads can vary in style and content. You can use description, narration, dialogue, question, unusual statement, call to action, comparison-contrast. (Discussed in detail in the last lectures). Transition No matter how good the lead is, you need a solid transition into the body of the feature. If you think of the lead as a lure to attract the audience, then the transition sets the hook. It makes the reader want to continue. And it promises some kind of satisfaction or reward. The reward can be entertainment, information or self-awareness but has to be something of value to the reader. Body Sound knowledge of the subject, coupled with good writing skills, will let you take the reader through a variety of experiences. You should use the standard writing devices of crisp dialogue, documental but vivid fact and detail, careful observation, suspense and if appropriate, plot. Body is the major area Whenever, one is writing the body of a feature – which can carry many short pieces – following points must be kept in mind. Never fill it, important part People can try to fill the part only may be thinking that the reader has been gripped into a certain situation and he will stick to reading the feature. It is never the case as the newspaper reading is a willing one, and if the reader feels that he is being bored or over-burdened, he might leave it even in the middle of the feature. So every word and concept must be rightly written and rightly placed. Should be well-connected, forceful and coordinated All the paragraphs of the main body should be well-connected with each other. Jumping from one idea to another should be well-thought and must be seen whether it is getting its connection to the previous or the following paragraphs. Never take it for granted that the reader is going to form linkages in the thought process. Avoid unnecessary details When we say a particular portion of a feature is the main body, it never means that every detail should be put in order to fill that body. There must be only relevant details without any stuffing-the-sack idea. The writer must consider that the main body is as important as the other portions of the feature. Concentrating in the same manner like the way the Intro or the Lead is written, the reader will remain absorbed in the story. docsity.com