Writing a compelling feature article about a person involves careful planning, thorough research, engaging interviews, and skillful storytelling. Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Preparation and Research
- Identify Your Subject: Choose someone with an interesting story, unique perspective, or significant impact.
- Background Research: Gather preliminary information about the person from publicly available sources (e.g., news articles, websites, social media). This helps you develop informed questions.
- Define Your Angle: Determine what aspect of the person's life or work you want to highlight. What makes them newsworthy or interesting to your target audience?
2. Conducting the Interview(s)
- Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Craft open-ended questions that encourage the subject to share anecdotes and insights. Avoid yes/no questions. Example: "What was a pivotal moment in your career?" instead of "Did you always want to be a [profession]?"
- Secure the Interview: Contact the person (or their representative) to schedule an interview. Explain the purpose of the article and how you plan to portray them.
- Be a Good Listener: Pay close attention to the subject's responses. Allow for silences and avoid interrupting. Be prepared to deviate from your prepared questions if the conversation takes an interesting turn.
- Record the Interview (with Permission): Ask for permission to record the interview. This will help you accurately capture quotes and details. Always adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain transparency.
- Interview with Breadth and Depth: Talk to the person, but also interview people who know them well (friends, family, colleagues). This provides a more well-rounded perspective.
3. Developing Your Approach and Focus
- Identify a Central Theme: What is the overarching message or point you want to convey about this person? This theme will guide your writing.
- Decide on an Approach: Will you focus on their career, personal life, a specific achievement, or a challenge they overcame?
- Focus on What's Most Compelling: Determine the most interesting, unusual, or impactful aspects of the person's story and emphasize those elements.
4. Writing the Article
- Craft a Compelling Lead: Start with an engaging opening that grabs the reader's attention. This could be an anecdote, a surprising statement, or a vivid description.
- Use Strong Verbs and Vivid Language: Paint a picture for the reader. Show, don't just tell.
- Weave in Anecdotes: Use specific stories and examples to illustrate your points and bring the person to life.
- Incorporate Quotes Effectively: Use quotes to add authenticity and credibility to your article. Choose quotes that are insightful, revealing, or emotionally resonant.
- Maintain Objectivity: Present a balanced and fair portrayal of the person. Avoid bias or exaggeration.
- Structure the Article Logically: Organize your information in a clear and coherent manner. Use headings and subheadings to guide the reader.
- Write for Your Audience: Consider the interests and knowledge level of your target audience.
- Know the Rules of Attribution: Clearly attribute all information and quotes to their sources.
- Edit and Revise: After you've written the first draft, carefully edit and revise your article. Check for clarity, accuracy, grammar, and style.
- Fact-Check: Ensure all facts and figures are accurate.
5. Examples of Effective Feature Articles
- Profiles in The New Yorker: Known for their in-depth reporting and compelling storytelling.
- Human Interest Stories in The New York Times: Focus on the personal experiences and emotions of individuals.
- Long-Form Articles in Esquire: Often feature immersive reporting and vivid writing.
By following these steps, you can write a feature article that is informative, engaging, and memorable.
