ENGL 3502: 22/09/05
1. News-based feature
generated by news
2. Backgrounder
timeliness of event, cover background
3. Event linked
cover an event
4. Hybrid
profile/review or event/profile
=>one person creates something e.g. album or book
=>profile at distance e.g. where an event is because of someone
5. Seasonal
christmas/easter - special occasions: event troubles and how to's
6. Travel
* capture a sense of place
* sense of ethics (review of who is paying)
-> modesty e.g. walking milford track
-> lots of research: facts and figures
why should other people go and how?
7. How-to
most conventional - set out steps for readers.
-> easiest to sell and write
-> all formats - breakout boxes etc
8. Activites
similar to how-to
-> bringing attention to a trend or option/new options
* informative
* personal experience
-> explain depth and balance.
9. Issues
exploring issues and/or debate
* prisoner for life / fear / drugs in sport
=> still must be timely and exciting/dynamic
$ HYBRIDISE -> be creative in mixing genres - everything requires serious research.
To Write Features From Massive Research:
*NB must cover the basic - where, when, what, who, how.
Structure:
at the beginning is the hook
-> something to keep people reading.
Keep readers interested -> disperse drama/high points of story; by personal acts/important drama
If possible link the hook to the conclusion.
hook: slight drop-off: capture: slight drop-off: capture: slight drop-off: conclude - link back to hook. never dropping back to origin, always progressing in intensity in gradual steps.
Lead needs to be very strong to persuade the audience to begin reading.
main types of lead;
anecdotal
descriptive
contradictory/paradoxical - juxtapose
question - setup problem
chronological - where time is important
shocker!
Structure -> angle and lead should suggest the most appropriate structure.
if a stuck, go back and answer pre-questions. the questions that developed the research and answer those.
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