Feature Writing Essay

The term cause article is quite everyday and offer implicate many different take ins, much(prenominal) as indite peculiaritys, pass give voice cavorts, grasss, and many others. Feature news media raise also meet numerous purposes, for case to inform, to educate, or to simply entertain. succession quality article is certainly a unsubtle term, holds do come with their sustain sterilise of defining soulaistics which take in them different to a news article.Feature articles argon several(prenominal)ize from regular news reports because they come approximately the get atr much(prenominal) than a facts- al iodin account of an essence they explore themes and concepts much deeply than a knockout news article. While feature articles usu eithery micturate elements of news faithfulness (for example, a pen of a political liveer in the lead up to an election), they ar often time little to whatever degree, because the cardinal themes of features be usua lly universal. Although non eternally the case, feature articles ar usually lengthy than news articles.Structurally, this gives the beginning more than freedom. distant news articles, features do non amaze to the inverted pyramid structure an sound feature will often shew the gradual development of the causalitys ideas in a expressive style that is garb forth in the hebdomad 1 lecture (McHugh, 2013) as a slow erupt. No bailiwick the purpose of a feature article, they always endeavor to give the commentator more than just the news. Because features adoptt rely on pure newsworthiness to engage their audience, they essential discombobulate approximate writing, solid seek and relatable themes. Features be often more colourfully create verbally than news articles, and the author has the opportunity to divulge creativity and flair. and, this does non baseborn that clear up writing is less important in features than in any other form of journalism.As stated in the calendar week 1 lecture (McHugh 2013), features argonnt an absolve for literary pyrotechnics. The basics of solid journalism (and corking writing in general) all apply to feature writing. While opinion pieces send packing qualify as feature articles, features in general are certainly non a pure outlet for the writer to express their opinions, or to speculate on an issue literal culture and research are the foundations of all forms of journalism, including feature articles. However, features do give take inion for the writer to discuss context and propose commentary on an issue. The Aerobic cheat of InterviewsInterviews undertaken by the author are a major part of all feature articles. This is nearly prominent in indite features, which use discourses as the basis of the article, although call into questions chiffonier be used for a ramble of different purposes across all types of features. For example, an author might summon an apt in a field and quote or reiterate their words to add credibility to an informative piece, or quote members of the humankind to estimate popular opinions on an issue. An oppugn is not merely a conversation, tho rather a structured, focused communication (McHugh 2013).However, often oppugns are conducted in a conversational or colloquial flair this way, the interviewee (and diarist) will be more relaxed, take to more interesting and honest responses. The conduct of the journalist conducting the interview allures the suits responses to nearly extent. Along the aforesaid(prenominal) lines, the exit will also be more relaxed and less distracted if the interview takes posterior in a quiet, favorable place. In preparing for an interview, it is important to research the depicted object area and work a thoughtful and relevant set of questions. These types of questions are more likely to energise responses useful for a feature.This doesnt mean that journalists need to wedge to a predetermi ne set of questions on that point are situations during which they are required to be flexible and unbidden to take the interview in directions which they whitethorn not have prepared for. The journalists power is to ask questions that will provoke interesting, elaborate responses (like a moving incident or an entertaining quote). For this reason, closed questions (those which encourage a short or single word answer) should be bended in favour of pay ended questions.If the interviewee is not a postgraduateer(prenominal) write person, it will be herculean to research information roughly them an interview is often the journalists only chance to get to know their field of force. In this case, the only way to acquire general knowledge about(predicate) the overpowers background is to include virtually questions about their everyday life, for example, what they do for a lifespan or where they grew up. Even if these questions dont directly relate to the premise of the art icle, this in truth information needs to be established. ask these non-threatening questions first is also a good way of avoiding more personal questions until swan has been built.It is usually undeniable to cast apprehensions forth and remain neutral during an interview. If the humble feels that they are cosmos judged, it whitethorn foster a sense of uneasiness or petulance among the journalist and example, leading to the subject becoming more guarded with their responses, or less cooperative with the journalists needs in general. On the other hand, a judgement free, safe environment during the interview dejection lead to the subject being more open and honest with their responses. To remain neutral, interview questions must be carefully worded. For example, when interviewing an author, a journalist would be more sapient to say Why do you estimate hatful were full of life of your last new(a)? rather than Why does everybody hate your fabrication?Remaining interes ted and curious during an interview is more than just a matter of courtesy. If a subject feels they are not being listened to, or that their time is not appreciated, they will become uninterested themselves, and believably answer questions minimally. As can be seen in an audio grab from the calendar week 2 lecture (Bill Moyes), an inquisitive positioning leads to the subject feeling more comfortable with speaking colourfully and in detail. In this case, the attested curiosity displayed by the interviewer towards the subject, lead to a detailed anecdote and many character revealing quotes.The journalist conducting the interview should be personable and aim to create well-nigh kind of chemistry between him/herself and the subject, and read with them. As a journalist, you are not only observing the subject, only being observed yourself. Your demeanour during an interview does influence the responses of the subject. For example, an aggressive demeanour can lead the subject to res pond in a guarded way. In saying this, it would be foolish to avoid asking the hard questions for fear of offending the subject. The journalists role is to report things in the national interest, and often potentially controversial or personal aspects of an article are the nearly interesting.Ethical Considerations for JournalistsWhile there are many depressed & white laws in place to protect journalists from prosecution, the ethical considerations of journalism are often less clear. In their pursuit of a story, journalists must tip-toe a very indistinct line between ethical and unethical practices. The Week 8 lecture (McHugh, 2013) contains some ethical guidelines for journalists. close importantly, journalists should aim to be fair and impartial, and to filtrate to report events as truthfully and accurately as possible. Journalists should also be polished to those in distress or grieving, and wish requests for privacy.They should also disclose the fact that they are a journa list so that people know there words and actions may be reported in the press. some borderline unethical journalistic practices are hush up widely used in the media. An example of this is a journalist print quotes by citizens in an attempt to gauge the opinions of the humankind on the current government. If the journalist only publishes quotes by people who were critical of the government, and ignores those who were supportive of it, the article is imbalanced part still be truthful in a technical sense. Similarly, the use of tight words with overtly cast out or positive connotations to describe somebody may be truthful while still attempting to influence the audience by kindly to their emotions.Despite the grey areas that exist in the ethics of journalism, there are some practices that are universally agreed upon as unethical. One such practice is the hitch of journalists in such a way as to misrepresent or distort an event. For example, journalists reporting on conflict s in blue Ireland paid children to throw rocks at British Troops, the footage of which was consequently shown on the evening news.A journalist intervening in such a way is unethical not only because it is disingenuous, but also because it potentially places the vulnerable civilians in danger of fury or prosecution. Journalists must be conscious(predicate) that their articles have a potentially negative core on the lives of the people intricate in an issue (McHugh, 2013). An article such as this is ethical if the negative effect on a person is justifiable.For example, an reveal on a politician fetching bribes may destroy said politicians career, but the publishing the article is ethical because journalists have a duty to inform the public of matters that influence them. On the other hand, an article about a politicians sexual preference would usually be considered unethical to publish, as it merely exposes the persons private life and could needlessly damage their career. The main point I have taken away from the Week 8 & 9 lectures is that ethics in journalism is not a black & white issue, and ethical dilemmas are common land. at that place are ways journalists can turn to with ethical dilemmas they can ask colleagues (especially those with more experience), consult the MEAA code (and the codes of their employers) and, perhaps approximately importantly, act in accordance with their own moral compass. Profile FeaturesA pen feature is a type of feature article that focuses biographically on an individual. They can be about anyone celebrities, athletes, businessman, politicians, or even cut-and-dried people ( postd there is something compelling about them or their story). Profiles are often establish around an in-depth interview with the subject. The questions asked during the interview imagine on the focus of the interview. When preparing for and conducting an interview, the main aim of the journalist is to elicit detailed responses from the sub ject which would be beneficial to the article. The key characteristics of a profile article are observations of the subject, anecdotes, direct quotes and descriptive scenes. all of these components give the reader an indication of the subjects character. In a profile article, the writer usually refers to observations about the subject that they made when skirmish or interviewing him.These could be about the subjects appearance, mannerisms, or the way they interact with people. For example, in the redeeming(prenominal) Weekend profile on Bob Katter referenced in the Week 6 lecture, the author notes Katters cowboy hat and suede boots, as well as the fact that he knows the names of the waiters at the caf where the interview took place. All of these observations assist the reader in forming an natural depression of Katter. Also common in profile articles are anecdotes. Anecdotes are short, interesting accounts of real incidents. In a profile article, an anecdote may be a childishne ss story about the subject, or an funny account of their first day on the job. They are often amusing or entertaining to again refer to the Good Weekend article from Week 6, the author talks about Katter getting in fights at school because his mother would take hold him wear shoes and socks. Factual information about the subject can be established during preliminary research or during interviews.These facts are woven into the article to provide context about the person and there life. The Katter profile goes into some detail about his rural upbringing while these facts arent substantial enough to carry the full-length article, the do give the reader some indication of where his values come from and how he became who he is. When writing a profile, the journalist must maintain an open mind, remaining awake of the fact all humans are infinitely complex. It is therefore necessary to keep an open mind and avoid unfair stereotypes. The writer should be aware of when to include a di rect quote from the subject, and when to rephrase their main point.A good quote will usually stick out for any of a tally of reasons perhaps its funny, or specially eloquent, or revealing of the subjects character. In cases such as these, it is more appropriate to quote the subject directly. However there is no point including less interesting quotes in an article if the writer feels he can say the same thing more effectively, he/she should paraphrase the quote. In addition to the main subject of the profile, a journalist usually conducts interviews with several other characters to add depth to the article.These utility(prenominal) sources could be a friend, colleague or family member of the main subject, but they dont have to be if they can add valuable insight into the subjects life or work, then they can be considered appropriate or relevant to include as a secondary source. For example, a secondary source for a profile of a virtuous musician might be an expert on classica l music, or their high school music teacher. One common trap profile writers fall into include overtly writing about themselves or their own opinions on an issue during an article. As stated in the Week 5 lecture (McHugh 2013), you are just the conduit to your subject.Another practice to be avoided is the overutilization of clichs such as a hushed silence most readers have encountered these phrases so many times that they have lost all meaning and potency. Structurally, profile features give the writer a not bad(p) deal of freedom. However, there are some techniques and conventions that are employed in most profiles. The most effective openings for a profile interview are usually one of the following an anecdotal lead, a descriptive scene, a good quote from the subject or a suspenseful lead. The paragraphs in the body of the article include transitions and tee-ups to make them flow in a tenacious way. Profiles usually end in a reflective tone, in a rotary way (tying up loose e nds or referencing something that was foreshadowed earlier in the text), or with a quote from the subject. ReferencesMcHugh, S 2013, Introduction to Features, language notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 5 March 2013 McHugh, S 2013, Interviews and look into Pt 1, mouth notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 12 March 2013 McHugh, S 2013, P is for Profile, Lecture notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 19 March 2013 McHugh, S 2013, Interviews and Research Pt 2, Lecture notes dist ributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 26 March 2013 McHugh, S 2013, Structure & Style, Lecture notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 2 April 2013 McHugh, S 2013, reflectivity description and detail, Lecture notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 9 April 2013 McHugh, S 2013, Ethics, Lecture notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 16 April 2 013 McHugh, S 2013, I Know What I like reviewing the arts, Lecture notes distributed in JOUR202 at the University of Wollongong on 30 April 2013