There is a place for the inverted pyramid and basic news story, but not in this class. Feature writing today encompasses a vast variety of storytelling approaches both in print and online. Features go beyond and behind the breaking news to engage the interest, and often the heart, of the reader. To do this, students need to push their reporting, interviewing and writing skills in new directions. Assignments include several reported and written features. There also will be in-class writing exercises and peer critiques of stories. We'll talk about what it takes to get published, and we'll hear from prominent journalists who will share their tips and insights on the feature craft. 

 

By the end of this course, you will know how to: 

1. Find fresh ideas for feature articles

2. Focus your ideas to develop strong angles

3. Craft engaging ledes, cogent nut graphs and kickers

4. Use anecdotes and scenes to build a narrative

5. Identify a market for your story and pitch it