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Developing Feature Stories

Feature stories tell a compelling story, but they are built on fact and require writers to have in-depth reporting and research skills. This course will put you on the right path in your journey toward writing rigorous and compelling feature stories. You will learn the art and craft of finding feasible, yet ''newsworthy'', and ''photographable'' story ideas. Throughout the course, you will explore the process of gathering information and accessing different sources, different research methods, as well as common practices when conducting interviews.

What you'll learn

Skills to analyze what makes a story idea worthy.
Methods to develop a feasible story idea.
The ability to compare and contrast ordinary talk with interviewing, and analyze interview techniques.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores feature story writing, a valuable journalistic skill

Taught by Dr. Ronald Irwin, recognized for their expertise in journalism

Develops reporting and research skills, core for journalists

Teaches how to find newsworthy and photographable story ideas

Covers various research methods, helping students navigate credible information sources

Provides valuable insights into interviewing techniques

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to feature storytelling

According to students, 'Developing Feature Stories' is a highly practical guide for aspiring storytellers and journalists. Learners particularly praise the course for its in-depth coverage of research methods and interviewing techniques, which many found immediately applicable. The assignments are often highlighted as engaging and instrumental in solidifying understanding, although a few note the feedback could be more detailed. Some students, especially those with prior experience, felt the initial modules were quite basic, but most agreed the course builds a solid foundation for finding newsworthy ideas and structuring compelling narratives. Overall, it's considered a valuable investment for developing essential reporting skills.

Best for beginners, potentially basic for experienced writers.

"As a beginner, I found this course incredibly informative and thorough, a great starting point."

"While good for fundamentals, I was hoping for more advanced techniques given my background in journalism."

"If you're new to feature writing, this is perfect, but don't expect groundbreaking insights if you're seasoned."

Assignments are practical, but feedback could be more detailed.

"The assignments forced me to apply what I learned immediately, which was crucial for my learning."

"I really enjoyed the practical exercises, though I sometimes wished for more personalized feedback on my submissions."

"The projects were super helpful, but sometimes the feedback felt generic, making it hard to improve specific areas."

Provides a clear, step-by-step approach to story development.

"The modules break down the complex process of feature writing into manageable steps, which was really helpful."

"I appreciated the logical progression from idea generation to research and then interviewing; it built my confidence."

"The course outlines a clear process, ensuring I cover all bases from ideation to final reporting."

Develops essential reporting and interviewing skills.

"This course genuinely helped me understand how to approach interviewees and structure my questions for a feature."

"I found the techniques for gathering information incredibly useful; I'm already applying them to my freelance work."

"The focus on practical application was fantastic, providing real tools for developing compelling stories."

Excellent guidance for identifying feasible story ideas.

"I struggled with finding good story ideas before, but this course provided amazing strategies for identifying them."

"The content on 'newsworthy' and 'photographable' ideas was a game-changer for my creative process."

"It really taught me how to analyze what makes a story idea truly worthy of development."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Developing Feature Stories with these activities:

Review newspaper writing basics

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Helps you refresh your understanding of the basics of newspaper writing, which will reinforce the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in this course.

Browse courses on Writing

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Review the inverted pyramid structure
Identify the key elements of a news story
Practice writing lead paragraphs

Explore online resources for feature writing

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Introduces you to valuable online resources that can further your understanding of feature writing and enhance your learning in this course.

Browse courses on Online Resources

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Visit websites of reputable newspapers and magazines
Explore journalism blogs and online forums
Take advantage of online courses and tutorials on feature writing

Read 'The Art of Feature Writing' by William Zinsser

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Provides a comprehensive overview of feature writing techniques and principles, enhancing your understanding of the subject matter covered in this course.

View Extraordinary Lives on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight key concepts
Reflect on how the concepts apply to your own writing

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Develop a compelling story pitch

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Helps you practice developing an effective story pitch, which is a crucial skill for feature writers.

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Identify a newsworthy topic
Craft a compelling hook
Write a brief outline of your story
Practice pitching your story to a potential editor

Conduct mock interviews

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Provides an opportunity to practice your interviewing skills, which are essential for gathering information for feature stories.

Browse courses on Interviewing

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Identify a potential interviewee
Prepare a list of questions
Conduct the interview
Transcribe and analyze the interview

Participate in a feature writing contest

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Challenges you to apply your skills and knowledge in a competitive setting, providing an opportunity for growth and feedback.

Browse courses on Feature writing

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Research different feature writing contests
Choose a contest that aligns with your interests and skills
Write and submit a compelling feature story
Seek feedback on your entry from peers or mentors

Contribute to open-source journalism projects

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Offers an opportunity to apply your skills in a collaborative and impactful setting, contributing to the broader field of journalism.

Browse courses on Feature writing

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Identify open-source journalism projects that align with your interests
Join the project and connect with other contributors
Contribute your writing skills to the project
Review and edit the work of other contributors

Create a portfolio of your feature writing work

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Helps you organize and showcase your feature writing work, which can be valuable for job applications or further development as a writer.

Browse courses on Portfolio

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Gather your best feature writing samples
Review and edit your work
Choose a platform to display your portfolio
Share your portfolio with potential employers or clients

Career center

Learners who complete Developing Feature Stories will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reporter

A Reporter conducts in-depth interviews and researches different topics to write compelling feature stories. This course may be useful to those seeking a career in reporting, as it will provide them with the skills necessary to find feasible and newsworthy story ideas, as well as the techniques to gather information from interviews.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reporter

Journalist

Journalists investigate and report on news and current events. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics, business, or sports. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in journalism, as it will help them develop the skills to gather information, conduct interviews, and write compelling stories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Copywriter

Copywriters create written content for a variety of purposes, such as advertising, marketing, and public relations. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in copywriting, as it can help them develop the skills to write clear and concise copy that is engaging and informative.

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Content Writer

Content Writers create and edit written content for websites, blogs, and other online platforms. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in content writing, as it will provide them with the skills to find and develop story ideas, as well as the techniques to write compelling and engaging content.

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Editor

Editors oversee the production of written content, ensuring that it is accurate, clear, and concise. They may work in a variety of settings, such as publishing houses, newspapers, and magazines. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in editing, as it will provide them with the skills to analyze and critique written work, as well as the techniques to provide constructive feedback.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They may write press releases, create marketing materials, and organize events. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in public relations, as it will provide them with the skills to write compelling stories and the techniques to communicate with the media.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for a variety of products and services. This documentation may include user manuals, training materials, and marketing collateral. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in technical writing, as it will provide them with the skills to write clear and concise technical documentation.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design websites, apps, and other digital products that are easy to use and enjoyable. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in User Experience Design, as it will help them develop the skills to gather user feedback and create prototypes.

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Information Architect

Information Architects design the structure and organization of websites, intranets, and other digital products. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Information Architecture, as it will provide them with the skills to analyze user needs and create effective information architectures.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in marketing, as it will help them develop the skills to write compelling marketing copy and create effective marketing strategies.

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Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialists manage the government relations of organizations and individuals. They may lobby for legislation, write speeches, and organize events. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in public affairs, as it will provide them with the skills to write persuasive speeches and the techniques to communicate with elected officials.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches for a variety of individuals, such as politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in speechwriting, as it will provide them with the skills to write compelling speeches and the techniques to deliver them effectively.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers write proposals to secure funding for organizations and individuals. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in grant writing, as it will provide them with the skills to write persuasive grant proposals and the techniques to manage the grant application process.

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Proposal Writer

Proposal Writers write proposals for a variety of purposes, such as securing contracts, funding, or new business. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in proposal writing, as it will provide them with the skills to write winning proposals and the techniques to manage the proposal process.

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Development Director

Development Directors oversee the fundraising efforts of nonprofit organizations. They may write grant proposals, organize events, and cultivate relationships with donors. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in fundraising, as it will provide them with the skills to write persuasive grant proposals and the techniques to manage fundraising campaigns.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Developing Feature Stories.

Torn from the World

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This Pulitzer Prize-winning feature article powerful example of the genre and provides insights into the craft of storytelling.

Developing Feature Stories

What you'll learn

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to feature storytelling

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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