Feature Writing
- Social Sciences
- 700 level
- 3 credit units
- 144 pages
- 16 units
This course explores feature writing, focusing on developing creative and literary skills for journalists. It covers various feature types, including profiles, interviews, and reviews, emphasizing in-depth research and engaging storytelling. The course also examines column writing, opinion pieces, and service journalism, providing practical experience in crafting compelling content. Students will learn to adapt their writing style for different media platforms, including radio, television, and film.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of JLS724, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
JLS724 · UNIT 1 FEATURES - A STARTING POINT
This unit briefly explains the nature of feature stories, picks one definition out of several and examines it as well as looks at the various types of feature stories. The idea is to refresh your memory (for those who are not media workers and those who have not been engaged in any form of journalistic writing).
What you should be able to do
- Identify feature story ideas
- Conduct effective interviews
- Write engaging columns
- Critically analyze arts reviews
- Apply appropriate language in features
- Structure compelling feature stories
What it prepares you for
- Journalist
- Feature Writer
- Columnist
- Editor
- Content Creator
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Online Media
- Broadcasting
- Public Relations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Reviews and Language of Features
Unit 3: Language of Features
Requires understanding of various literary devices and ability to critically analyze writing styles.
- Module 4: Writing Tasks
Unit 1: Writing the Feature Story
Requires integrating all learned techniques to produce a well-structured and engaging feature story.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 40 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: General Overview of Features
Unit 1: Features - A Starting Point · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Features - A Starting Point. Understand the nature and characteristics of feature stories. Identify different types of feature stories.
Unit 2: Another Look at Feature Story Ideas · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Another Look at Feature Story Ideas. Explore sources for feature story ideas. Understand the functions of features in journalism.
- Week 2Module 1: General Overview of Features
Unit 3: Special Features and Profiles I · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Special Features and Profiles I. Understand the qualities of a good feature writer. Explore people profiles.
- Week 3Module 1: General Overview of Features
Unit 4: Interview Features and Profiles II · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Interview Features and Profiles II. Understand the relevance of interviews in feature stories. Analyze interview feature examples.
- Week 4Module 1: General Overview of Features
Unit 5: The Feature Sidebar and Feature Series · 3 hours
Read Unit 5: The Feature Sidebar and Feature Series. Learn to write feature sidebars and feature series. Analyze examples of sidebar and series features.
- Week 5Module 2: Writing Columns
Unit 1: Opinion Columns · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Opinion Columns. Differentiate among types of opinion columns. Understand the role of editorial opinions.
- Week 6Module 2: Writing Columns
Unit 2: Personal Columns · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Personal Columns. Understand the characteristics of personal columns. Analyze examples of personal columns.
- Week 7Module 2: Writing Columns
Unit 3: Service Columns I · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Service Columns I. Understand the purpose of service columns. Analyze examples of service columns.
- Week 8Module 2: Writing Columns
Unit 4: Service Columns II: Travel Guide · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Service Columns II Travel Guide. Understand the components of a travel guide. Analyze examples of travel guides.
- Week 9Module 3: Reviews and Language of Features
Unit 1: Arts Reviews · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Arts Reviews. Understand the criteria for arts reviews. Analyze examples of arts reviews.
- Week 10Module 3: Reviews and Language of Features
Unit 2: Special Correspondents · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Special Correspondents. Understand the role of special correspondents. Explore examples of special correspondents.
- Week 11Module 3: Reviews and Language of Features
Unit 3: Language of Features · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Language of Features. Understand the stylistic devices used in feature writing. Analyze the use of language in feature examples.
- Week 12Module 4: Writing Tasks
Unit 1: Writing the Feature Story · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Writing the Feature Story. Understand the techniques involved in feature writing. Analyze examples of feature story structures.
- Week 13Module 4: Writing Tasks
Unit 2: Writing the Feature: The Intro · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Writing the Feature: The Intro. Understand the different types of feature intros. Analyze examples of feature intros.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a portfolio of different feature types (profiles, interviews, reviews)
- Practice writing catchy intros and compelling conclusions
- Study examples of successful feature stories and analyze their structure
- Focus on improving your writing style and language skills
- Review key concepts related to ethics and legal considerations in journalism
- Practice time management by setting deadlines for writing assignments
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-3 to understand the different feature types
- Analyze the writing styles of famous columnists and feature writers
- Practice writing headlines that grab the reader's attention
- Review all TMAs and assignments to identify areas for improvement
- Focus on understanding the different types of leads and how to use them effectively
- Practice writing in different tones and styles to adapt to various feature types
Questions students ask about this course
What is JLS724 about?
This course explores feature writing, focusing on developing creative and literary skills for journalists. It covers various feature types, including profiles, interviews, and reviews, emphasizing in-depth research and engaging storytelling. The course also examines column writing, opinion pieces, and service journalism, providing practical experience in crafting compelling content. Students will learn to adapt their writing style for different media platforms, including radio, television, and film.
How many units does JLS724 have?
JLS724, Feature Writing, has 16 units across 4 modules, over 144 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is JLS724?
JLS724 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Social Sciences.
Is JLS724 hard?
JLS724 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does JLS724 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.
How is JLS724 assessed?
JLS724 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with JLS724?
Journalist, Feature Writer, Columnist, Editor and Content Creator.