Feature Writing Assignment for News Writing

Feature Story Assignment
Due Date: April 23


Feature stories are written to entertain. When people are involved, the writer lets the personalities carry the story. People are made to talk, act and interact. Features are long stories structured to keep the reader committed to staying with the story to the end. Sidebars are used story length within readable bounds.

Your assignment is to write a feature story that will be posted to your blog. Keep in mind that on-line stories are developed with shorter sentences and paragraphs to keep the reader moving through the text.

Your story should include some type graphic that would run with your story. A picture, a map, or a chart, are all good options. If you have any other graphics, please feel free to include them.

You need to submit a hard copy of the story on the due date, as well as post the story to your blog. Also, include the blog address on the first page of your story so that I can examine the on-line version. The url should be written under the slug in the upper left corner of your article.

A portrait is a good option for you story, but other types of features will be accepted.
The stories should be no more than 350 words.
Consider the following options:

A couple recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
A person born on February 29.
A fry cook at a fast-food outlet.
A maid in a local motel.
A rookie police officer. The police officer with the longest service record. An officer who works with juvenile offenders, with rape victims.
A disc jockey on an all-night radio program.
A faculty member recently returned from a trip abroad.
A student recently returned from a trip abroad.
A story about some of the exotic animals students have as pets.
A person who has overcome a major life-changing situation.



Parts of this information has been reprinted from
Mencher, M.(2003). Workbook for use with News Reporting and Writing. 9th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill.