MCM514 Handouts Lectures 1-45

FEATURE & COLUMN WRITING MCM514

Table of Contents: Page no. Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Internet Usage in Feature writing ……………………………………….. Lesson 4 What makes a good Feature …………………………………………….. Lesson 5 Demands of a Feature ………………………………………………….. Lesson 6 Conducting and Writing of Interviews …………………………. Lesson 7 Writing Novelty Intros ……………………………………………….. Lesson 8 Structure of Features ……………………………………………. Lesson 9 Selection of Pictures, Illustrations and Maps ………………… Lesson 10 Features and Editorial Policy …………………………………………... Lesson 11 Human Interest and Feature writing ……………………………. Lesson 12 Newspaper Feature Story ………………………………………………. Lesson 13 The Newspaper Feature Story Idea …………………………………….. Lesson 14 Magazine Feature Versus Dailies ……………………………………… Lesson 15 Writing the Specialized Feature Story …………………………………. Lesson 16 Modren Feature and its Treatment …………………………………… Lesson 17 Modern Feature Writing Technique ……………………………………. Lesson 18 Advice to Feature Writers ……………………………………………… Lesson 19 Column Writing ……………………………………………………… Lesson 20 Column writing in Modern Age ……………………………………… Lesson 21 English and Urdu Columnists ………………………………………….. Lesson 22 Types of Columns ……………………………………………………… Lesson 23 Objectives and Importance of Columns ……………………………… Lesson 24 Essentials of the Formatting of a Column ……………………………… Lesson 25 Style ……………………………………………………………………. Lesson 26 General Style of the Column ……………………………………………. Lesson 27 Structure of a Column …………………………………………………... Lesson 28 Column writing Tips ……………………………………………………. Lesson 29 Selection of a Topic …………………………………………………….. Lesson 30 Qualities of a Column Writer …………………………………………… Lesson 31 What must be Practised by a Columnist? ……………………………….. Lesson 32 Sources of Material of Columns ………………………………………... Lesson 33 Useful Writing Devices ………………………………………….. Lesson 34 Common Writing Problems ……………………………………… Lesson 35 Writing the Column ……………………………………………… Lesson 36 Article Writing …………………………………………………… Lesson 37 How to Write an Article? ………………………………………… Lesson 38 Types and Subjects of Article ……………………………………. Lesson 39 Five Commandments, No Professional Forgets ………………….. Lesson 40 Articles Writing Mistakes ………………………………………... Lesson 41 Writing the Article ……………………………………………… Lesson 42 What to do when you have written the article? …………………... Lesson 43 Ten Standard Article Formats …………………………………… Lesson 44 Legal and Ethical Considerations of Writers ……………………..

LESSON 01

Whatsoever the circumstances or where ever a student or a professional is, the importance of language for him can never be undermined. And when it comes to communication, all those tend to be failures if they cannot communicate in good language. Language is one of the most important areas of human development. Our communication skills set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, and they're also what bring us together with each other. Language is obviously a vital tool. Not only is it a means of communicating thoughts and ideas, but also it forges friendships, cultural ties, and economic relationships. That is why emphasis is given to the writing and speaking better language in all spheres of communication. A journalist must have better communication skills in comparison to other people or professionals working in other fields. Throughout history, many have reflected on the importance of language. For instance, the scholar Benjamin Whorf has noted that language shapes thoughts and emotions, determining one’s perception of reality. John Stuart Mill said, " Language is the light of the mind." For the linguist Edward Sapir, language is not only a vehicle for the expression of thoughts, perceptions, sentiments, and values characteristic of a community; it also represents a fundamental expression of social identity. “The mere fact of a common speech serves as a peculiar potent symbol of the social solidarity of those who speak the language.” In short, language retention helps maintain feelings of cultural kinship. Here in Pakistan, we are blessed with virtually two official languages flourishing in a multicultural society. We all have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. Since the adoption of official bilingualism though unofficially, we have been better able to provide to the younger generations the tools and knowledge for them to excel not only here at home, but beyond our national borders. This has allowed them to reach for the dreams and succeed in areas they may not have otherwise. Language, of course, is knowledge, and in our world today knowledge is one of the key factors in competitiveness. Brains and knowledge are what create the prosperity and growth we tend to take for granted. In an advanced industrial society in an increasingly interdependent world, the knowledge of other languages becomes indispensable. Just think of how the advent of the Internet has changed our lives. For the last few years, millions of people across the world, who share common interests, are able to communicate with each other and exchange ideas. Not only are they able to do this due to the various technological advances, but also because they share a common language. There is, of course, no denying that the knowledge of the English language is one of the most important tools available. It is one of the international languages, a tool of communication among countries, cultural groups, various companies and organisations, communities and friends. English is but one of our de facto official languages; the other being Urdu, which is given the label of being ‘Official’. Although much is said about the importance of the English language, one cannot overlook the important economic and diplomatic relationships that our country has forged with other countries. The knowledge of languages is an advantage that many hold. One can argue that it permits them to have a broader outlook on their surroundings, as they are able to look at issues with a broader perspective. To achieve this end, a journalist must be working hard towards not only constantly improving it rather enriching his knowledge. There are four key areas, which must be strived for all the time, as these help in naturally improving one’s language, as cramming never helps anybody.

• Reading – devour books and magazines – A journalist must be reading newspapers and magazines on daily basis. Alongside these, he must be reading books of his subject, specialisation and taste. One of the things is like ‘chewing’ the material whatever you are reading.
• Listening – keep tuned to good channels – A journalist must be a good listener too. As long as,

he is putting his ears into much of a use, he can get much of an information. Secondly, he must be watching television, and listening to good sources of information, which are luckily now available round the clock.

• Speaking – make a try, you will be better – It has been observed that quite a large number of journalists are not good at communicating verbally, and there are those who can speak very well but when it comes to writing they always leave bad impression. One must try to speak the language he writing in. ‘Never be afraid of speaking’ is the thumb rule.
• Writing – most important but no way impossible – For every journalist, writing is a must, and while doing so, he must be doing it to the best of his abilities. There are certain ways of improving your writing skills, and one must be following those.

Feature writing

Every genre or kind of journalistic writing is a specialised one but it is also done by the novices, definitely checked by the professionals or specialists.

Introduction

Any piece or writing that falls between the cut-and-dry news story on the one hand, and a fictionalised story or opinionated essay on the other hand can be a feature. When we say that Cut-and-dry news story, it means two things – first based on facts, and secondly, separated from the original stories, that is cut, and dry means something already known and discussed. Simultaneously, it is also a product of factual reporting to which the writer adds story elements of imaginative writing and various interpretation reaching to extent of one’s own point of view, may be altogether different from others. However, it is also similar to a news story in which it gives the readers facts in an interesting form and manner. Facts collaborated with study, research, and interviews of the experts on that particular subject and of people either benefiting or getting adversely affected. It aims to instruct, guide and entertain the readers who know about the subject as well as those who do not know. Apart from being news stories, both soft and hard, features are investigative primarily based on in-depth studies. Its subject can be anything: places, a community, a farm, a business, education, science, economy, religion, philosophy; events, parades, programmes, concerts; people-well known or unknown animalsunusual or ordinary; objects of art or product. Succinctly features can be anything or everything on which one wishes to write.

Definition

A feature is a creative, sometimes subjective article, designed primarily to entertain and inform readers about an event, a situation or an aspect of society or life. It is a complete portrayal of the subject being discussed. What does mean by complete portrayal – covering all possible aspects from all possible angles

Explanation of the definition

Creativity

Unlike news story, feature writing allows a reporter to create a story virtually at will. Although still bound by the ethics of accuracy, fiction is categorically banned. A reporter can conjure a feature story in his mind and, after researching the idea, writes it.