Feature Articles vs. Hard News

Hard News

• Reports the most important, timely, and factual information.

• Focuses on the who, what, when, where, why, and how.

• Written in a straightforward, objective style.

• Example topics: breaking news, accidents, government decisions, weather alerts.

• Example headline: “City Council Approves New Recycling Program”

Feature Articles

• Focus on the human interest side of a story — people, emotions, and experiences.

• Often timeless (not breaking news) and written with storytelling elements such as description, quotes, and mood.

• Aim to engage and entertain as much as inform.

• Example headline: “Meet the Teen Who Turned Her Love of Baking into a Neighborhood Business”

Types of Feature Articles

1. Profiles – Tell the story of a person’s life, achievements, or unique traits.

   • Example: “Inside the Creative Mind of Local Artist Maria Lopez”

2. Feel-Good Stories – Inspire or uplift the reader with positive messages.

   • Example: “Students Surprise Beloved Janitor with a Birthday Party He’ll Never Forget”

3. Event Recaps – Capture the highlights and atmosphere of an event, often with interviews and reactions.

   • Example: “Homecoming 2025: A Night of Glitter, Laughter, and Memories”

4. Behind-the-Scenes – Offer readers an insider’s look at how something happens or who makes it happen.

   • Example: “The Magic Behind the Curtain: How the Drama Club Prepares for Opening Night”

Objective:
Discover potential feature story ideas from within the CHEAR community.

Instructions:

1. Brainstorm:
   Think about people, projects, events, or moments around CHEAR that others would find interesting, inspiring, or meaningful.

   • Who stands out for their creativity, leadership, or kindness?

   • What projects or events are happening that deserve a closer look?

   • Are there personal stories of growth, challenge, or success worth sharing?

2. Write Down 3–5 Ideas:
   Example prompts:

   • A student who started a small business or community project

   • A behind-the-scenes look at the Yearbook or Photography class

   • Highlights from a recent field trip or co-op event

   • A teacher with a unique teaching style or story

   • A feel-good act of kindness within the CHEAR community

3. Share & Discuss:
   Each student shares one story idea with the group. As a class, discuss which ones could become feature articles for the next CHEAR newspaper issue.

Students choose a topic and begin writing a lead or rough outline. Encourage creativity and personal voice.

1. Choose Your Story
   What feature story will you write? (Example: profile of a CHEAR student, teacher, fun event, spotlight on kindness, etc.)

✅ 2. Draft the Article
Write a rough draft of your human-interest article. It should:

• Begin with a captivating lead

• Include emotion, reflection, or insight

• Be different from a straight news report

✅ 3. Add Personal or Interview Details
Include quotes or observations if possible. Try to make the reader feel something.

✅ 4. Brainstorm Visuals
Think of a visual element to pair with your article (drawing, photo, title graphic, etc.)

✅ Bonus Challenge:
Find a published feature story online or in print and bring it to class. Be ready to explain why it’s a good human interest story.