Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:         JRN201 Feature Writing

Programme:                          BA in Mass Communication

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       New #3

General objective: Building upon the prior writing tasks covered earlier in the programme, this module will focus exclusively on the various types of feature writing to provide students with an array of tools for communicating stories in writing for different situations beyond hard news. The module gives students an opportunity to build writing skills focusing on quality over quantity using a structured writing and editing process while writing in-depth pieces to add to their personal writing portfolios and support the additional content creation they will be required to do for latter modules.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Write clear and effective feature stories of various types.
  2. Generate ideas and plan for multiple types of feature stories.
  3. Research materials in preparation for different types of features.
  4. Construct multiple viewpoints to produce an effective structure for a story.
  5. Refine leads and closings to stories.
  6. Provide editing feedback on someone else’s writing.
  7. Use drafts and constructive comments to refine writing.
  8. Draft appropriate interview approaches for a written piece.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Lectures & discussions

2

30

In-class writing practice

2

30

Independent study

4

60

Total

120

Assessment Approach:

A. Individual Written Review piece: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

In this two stage assessment, each student is required to write a summary of a book, film or an event. This will be followed by producing a feature article on the reviewed book/film/event. Assessment will be based on a writing rubric given at the beginning of the assessment.

5%       Summary consisting of 250-500 words

15%     Feature article of 1250-1500 words

B. Individual Written Interview piece: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

Students will be required to write an interview feature article of 1500-1750 words. The first draft will be graded for 5%, and the final piece on 15%, of which 5% will be allotted to improvements made on the feedback provided on the first draft. Assessment will be based on a writing rubric given at the beginning of the assessment. The first draft must be included in the final submission. An interview permission form and photo of the subject(s) must be turned in with the first draft.

C. Individual Written piece on Features: Portion of Final Mark: 50%

Each student is required to produce two feature articles of 1500-1750 words, per article, on topics approved by the instructor. Each feature is worth 25% of the final grade. Assessment will be based on a writing rubric given at the beginning of the assessment.

First Feature Article:

10%     First Draft

10%     Final Submission

5%       Improvements made based on feedback from first draft.

The second feature article will be submitted only once, in final format, for 25%

D. Individual assessment on Peer editing: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be required to edit a classmate’s first draft of their first feature story (Assessment C). The thoroughness and thoughtfulness in the comments, concerns and recommendations will be submitted according to the rubric for 5%. The student will meet with the writer to go over the edits via directed worksheet for 5%.

Areas of assignments

Quantity

Weighting

A.    Review piece

1

20%

B.    Interview piece

1

20%

C.   Features

2

50%

D.   Peer editing

1

10%

Total Continuous Assessment (CA)

 

100%

Pre-requisites: LAN202 Basic Journalism

Subject matter:

  1. Unit I: Review of defining characteristics of feature stories
    • Impact: moving an audience
    • Relevance to the public: personalizing abstract issues
    • Erasing the proximity for the audience
    • Prominence of people, location or events
    • Timeliness: urgency not needed
    • Conflict: drama, antagonism and emotion
    • Currency: the more we know, the more we want to know
    • Attention to novel, out-of-ordinary or unusual occurrences
  2. Unit II: Introduction and review of feature story types
    • Colour Story/Slice-of-life
    • Human Interest
    • Lifestyle Feature
    • Travel Stories
    • Interview Piece
    • Profile
    • Investigative Feature
    • Reviews
    • Literary journalism
    • Narrative journalism
  3. Unit III: Story generation: how ideas emerge
    • Using experiences
    • Thinking laterally
    • Extrapolation
    • Synthesis
  4. Unit IV: Planning Stories and gathering materials: a brief overview
    • Time sensitive vs. timeless work
    • Audience consideration
    • Answering key questions
    • Gathering facts
    • Noting information about atmosphere and ambience
    • Gathering and noting ‘telling’ details
    • Additional sources whose requirement emerges during the initial gathering process
  5. Unit V: Interviews for written format
    • Organizing your questions
    • Note taking tips
    • Attribution guidelines
    • Getting examples and quotes
    • Choosing the outline and tone for the interview
    • Getting information on record
  6. Unit VI: Implementing the proper structure for a story
    • Making it memorable
    • Using timelines or narration
    • Selecting a theme
  7. Unit VII: Structure and word craft of the feature
    • Introduction to feature leads
    • Staying relevant throughout
    • Importance of simplicity
    • Maintaining the intrinsic interest
    • Putting oneself in the story: narration as outsider or part of the story
    • Tone: critical, idealistic or neutral stances
    • Opinion: objective or subjective slant
    • Number and Acronym usage
    • Attribution: quotes, sources and ideas
    • Rhythm and pace of the piece
  8. Unit VIII: Editing a story: Importance, strategies and process
    • Clearly defined subject and type of feature
    • Consistency of flow from beginning to end
    • Filling in the logistical gaps for the audience
    • Checking structure and rhythm
    • Line by line edits: grammar, spelling and mechanics
    • Read out loud for fluency
    • Working with others: having others review work
    • Pulling apart work paragraph by paragraph
    • Analysing work to improve upon it
    • Understanding a story behind a story

Reading List:

  1. Essential Reading
    • Feature Writing Lesson Plans. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.schooljournalism.org/feature-writing-lessons/
    • Kuensel Online. Retrieved from http://www.kuenselonline.com/
    • Ricketson, M. (2004). Writing feature stories: how to research and write newspaper and magazine articles. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
    • The Bhutanese. Retrieved from https://thebhutanese.bt/
    • Tips for writing a features article. (2013, March 27). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/27/tips-for-writing-a-features-article
    • Uko, N. (2007). Story building: Narrative techniques for news and feature writers. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
    • Welcome to the Purdue OWL. (n.d.)., from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/994/06/
  2. Additional Reading
    • Adams, S., & Hicks, W. (2001). Interviewing for journalists. London: Routledge.
    • Friedlander, E. J., & Lee, J. (2008). Feature writing for newspapers and magazines: The pursuit of excellence. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
    • Pape, S., & Featherstone, S. (2006). Feature writing: a practical introduction. London: Sage Publications.

Date: February 22, 2018
Royal Thimphu College