Features Writing

Overview

Course duration: 1 day.

This course addresses every aspect of what contributes to a good feature and delegates leave confident about managing the process.

Is it right for me?

Journalists with up to two years' experience. The course is suitable for those who have recently started to write features as well as those who aspire to do so in the near future.

What will I learn?

By the end of this practical course you will be able to:

• Work on a features idea from the start of the course
• Develop the idea as you concentrate on improving interviewing, research and writing skills
• Have produced a first draft of the feature, which is assessed by the tutor
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses and draw up an action plan to take back to the office

Pre-course Activity

Please send an example of a feature you have written both before it has been subbed and the finished article, together with a copy of your publication(s) to arrive at least 14 days prior to the course date by email to or by post to Hemsley Fraser Group Limited, St James Court, 74-94 Fore Street, Saltash, Plymouth, PL12 6JW.

What will it cover?

Prepare to Write a Feature

Readership

• The importance of understanding who you are writing for
• Where features come from
• Thinking up the right ideas for your magazine
• Standing them up to the rejection test

Types of Features

• Getting the treatment right

Understand and Develop the Brief

Early Planning

• Following through from initial idea to early framework

Information Gathering

• Background research
• Successful interviewing techniques

Successful Ways of Structuring Features

• Planning the feature
• Introductions - how to create interest early on
• Frameworks - getting the structure right
• Links
• Conclusions - with practical

Put the Theory to the Test

• Practical - writing a feature from the information given

Further courses to consider

CSE-MGC: Making Good Copy Great

CSE-FM: Features Masterclass

CSE-FE: Features Editing

CSE-CS: Commissioning Skills