A news feature is a piece of nonfiction journalism that presents its content in a narrative style. It typically relies on creativity and subjectivity to make an emotional connection with its audience. It can also teach readers something new, evoke emotions or raise awareness about a particular issue.
News features can be a great PR tool to use when there isn’t breaking news that your client or business needs to share. Using a news story to tell your company’s story can help establish you as an expert in your field, and it can give people a more in-depth understanding of what you do.
Creating an effective news feature begins with a strong introduction that draws the reader in. It should be concise and descriptive, and it should lead into your article’s other sections to maintain a consistent flow.
For example, NBC News’s story about segregation in Detroit uses a mix of images and video to give the reader a deeper perspective on the issue. Meanwhile, WaterAid’s interactive feature about climate change in Malawi is a comprehensive piece that utilizes full-screen photographs, statistics and quotes from scientists to show how people’s lives are changing.
If you want to create a news feature that has lasting appeal, consider saving a particularly resonant quote for the last paragraph. This will leave the reader thinking about your article long after they’ve finished reading it. This type of conclusion can also help you create an ad or social media post that will resonate with your audiences.