A news feature goes beyond a simple news story. It explores a topic in-depth, usually with a more subjective angle. These articles can range from human interest stories to analysis of trending topics or even explorations of cultural phenomena.
While both news stories and features play important roles in journalism and public relations, understanding their differences can help you craft content that best meets your goals and audience expectations. A breaking news piece is best for addressing current events with accuracy and brevity, while a news feature provides a deeper dive into topics that are likely to still be relevant in the future.
One of the best examples of a news feature is NBC News’ immersive and interactive piece on segregation in Detroit. It combines images, data, video, and interviews with local citizens to tell an engaging and informative story about the city’s past and present struggles with housing discrimination.
Similarly, Sky News created a stunning profile feature on the WNBA. Using an extensive interview with the player, it covers her background and character to create a story that is both informative and entertaining.
When writing a news feature, it’s important to start with the research first. This will help you identify the key issues and questions that your readers are likely to have about the subject. It will also help you find an angle that sets your story apart from others in the same genre, so that you can connect with your audience in a meaningful way.