A featured story takes the standard news report to a whole new level. A well-reported feature combines primary sources, historical context, expert insight, and real-world human experiences into one piece that grabs readers from the start and keeps them engaged through to the end. Unlike news, where the inverted pyramid model demands that every bit of information be provided at the top, a well-written feature allows for storytelling and interpretation, but that doesn’t mean the writer can take shortcuts. Every claim, anecdote, and statistic must be thoroughly researched and backed up.
Whether it’s about an amazing medical breakthrough or the inspiring life of a local hero, a great feature engages readers at a personal level, using compelling voices, relatable narratives, and emotional engagement to make the subject matter more memorable. It also explores larger societal issues that the audience can connect with through those stories.
But even a great piece of content can’t hold reader attention if it’s poorly structured. A good feature article breaks the rules of the inverted pyramid to create a well-crafted narrative experience that captivates from start to finish. It drops readers into a scene, poses a mystery, or sets the stage with vivid description and colorful quotes to paint a visual picture in the reader’s mind.
It delivers the facts in a narrative order that keeps them riveted, and it has a strong, clear ending that leaves readers with something to think about. But the key to a great feature lies in the writing, and that means mastering the art of self-editing. A clunky opening, a weak paragraph, or an awkward transition can undermine even the most compelling research and the most beautiful storytelling.