Lesson 4: Writing Features
Study two recent features articles, one published in a national newspaper or website and one in a local/regional paper – one a news feature, the other a personal profile – and provide a short appraisal of their strengths and weaknesses (maximum 250 words on each).
The articles or web references must be included with this lesson so please make sure you do not use websites that you need to subscribe to. The following questions may help focus your thoughts in each case.
• Did you enjoy reading the article? Is this the sort of feature you might normally read?
• Did you feel the article gave you a genuine insight into the issue or personality featured? If so, how was this achieved?
• Did you enjoy the writing style? Which aspects of the writing did you admire? • Do you think the writer asked the right questions? Were they adequately answered?
• Was the article well structured? Did it convey a logical progression of ideas?
• To what extent – and how well – did the article combine background information with direct quotes and personal observation?
• Did the intro grab your attention? How well did the ending round off the article?
NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS FEATURE APPRAISAL
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN – BY SAM CUNNINGHAM, I WEEKEND 7/5/2022
I found ‘A league of their own’ an insightful read that makes you question the affect money has on the competitiveness of the football pyramid.
I have regularly read about the financial implications of football since the Super League debacle. Promotion and relegation are also topical as the season comes to an end.
The article provides several facts and quotes that strikingly highlight the gulf between certain clubs.
For example, “the top six clubs earn around £350m-400m more than the bottom eight.” This doesn’t include UEFA earnings.
The writing style is sympathetic to the yo-yo clubs but is damning on the attitude that there is little point in clubs yo-yoing between divisions.
The finances involved mean that clubs have a financial and competitive disadvantage in the Premier League but an advantage over teams in the Championship.
This is described in the piece as creating a “Premier League 1.5.”
The article is very well structured and asks the right questions. Each issue is explored with facts and quotes from figures working in the game or from supporters.
The introduction pulls you in by asking why the prospect of being promoted isn’t exciting for supporters of some clubs.
The ending of the article attempts to answer this. Unfortunately, the reader is left with a sense that the financial implications of yo-yoing have now affected the way the supporters view their clubs.
The article is supplemented by attention grabbing graphics detailing their competitive records in the Championship and Premier League.
LOCAL PERSONAL PROFILE APPRAISAL
WALTHAMSTOW LOSES WELL LOVED PUB LAND LADY –
BY VICTORIA MUNRO, WALTHAM FOREST ECHO MAY 2022
https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/in-honour-of-walthamstows-much-loved-pub-landlady
I found that the personal profile of Viv Barrett, Walthamstow Landlady, was an enjoyable read even though it does take you through several emotions reading it.
It’s not an article I would normally be attracted to but was drawn to it as I used to visit the Ye Old Rose & Crown pub when I was younger.
It is a popular pub in Walthamstow, so I suspect I’m not the only one who would be interested in this local story about a popular member of the community.
The article excels when the author includes quotes from Mrs Barrett’s family. Particularly being described as a “natural” at running a pub.
“She was a firm believer that the wider the community you have, the better your life will be. She loved going around from table to table, knowing about people’s lives and families.”
The article is well structured. The importance of who, what, why, when, and where are answered. This is particularly important as the profile isn’t based on a celebrity or someone in the public eye.
I found that the style of writing was rightly sympathetic to Mrs Barrett’s family and battle with illness.
However, for those that didn’t know her, it celebrates a personality who had a huge impact on people.
The ending of the article is focused Mr Barrett’s diagnosis and the charity events she organised for The Brain Cancer Charity.
The author offers hope by describing a legacy that will be felt long after Mrs Barrett’s passing.
