Interviewing Possible Demographics (HW for 831 & 832)

So far in our unit of study on Feature Articles, we have discussed the ways in which a writer will think carefully about their demographic (or their target reader) to figure out the topic and angle of their feature article before writing it. Today, we went over the 7 types of feature articles (listed below) and we worked on figuring out our ideas. However, before we do our research, we should test out our ideas with the public available to us.

SO, 831 and 832 your assignment is to interview one family member and one friend. Tell them your thoughts about your article and ask them what they would like to know about your topic. Why might they seek out an article like this? What type of information would they want to find in such an article? What do they find interesting about the topic and can they tell you anything about the topic that you might not have thought of yet?

Try to get your relative and friend to be as thorough as possible. You want them to talk to you so you can get good information from them.



The 7 Feature Types

THE HUMAN-INTEREST FEATURE

• This is the most common type of feature article. It describes an unusual aspect of the life of the very ordinary -- something that makes this individual interesting to others.

• This type typically reports on someone’s success in spite of great odds.

• It may recall a tragic predicament.

• It may share a continuing struggle supported only by hope and faith.

THE PERSONALITY FEATURE

• The subject of the article may be famous or not so famous but has done something of interest

to others.

• This type usually shows how a person gained recognition.

• The personality feature is very much like a character sketch.

“THE BEST” ARTICLES

• Many magazines have a column that publishes reviews of the “best” products of all kinds.

• This type of article usually includes the writer’s personal experiences with the product.

• It includes proof and examples that the product is the best of its kind.

• The article includes information about where to get the product and how much it costs.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (THE 1^ST PERSON FEATURE)

• This type of article shares the author’s experience of something interesting or unusual

• It allows readers to do something through the eyes, ears, experiences and reflections of the author

THE HOW-TO / DIY FEATURE

• This article explains how to do something – usually a complex process that most people

would not know how to do.

• The best how-to articles begin by telling the reader why it is important or beneficial for him

or her to know how to do this.

• The article explains the steps of the process in enough detail so that another person can do

this process.

• This article also includes a list of all of the materials needed to do this process.

THE PAST EVENTS FEATURE

• This article focuses on an historical event or historical celebration.

• The article typically includes research but is not like an encyclopedia report. The article

serves as a human interest history lesson.

• This type of writing is usually puts a “human face” on history. In other words, it lets the

reader know something about the people who were part of history.

THE INFORMATIONAL FEATURE

• This type of article shows insightful coverage of a topic.

• It gives detailed information focused on one aspect of a given topic.

• The article often refers to sources of research but is not like an encyclopedia report. Instead,

the writer makes a personal connection to the subject and includes his/her voice.