Are they human interest stories, personality profiles, backgrounders, trend stories, or in-depth stories?
• Have students examine the lead and organization of several feature stories. How does the writer entice the reader into the story? Have students explain and give examples of various types of feature leads–narrative lead, contrast lead, question lead, quote lead, staccato lead, and direct address. Ask students to compare the feature stories with “hard news” stories. • News and feature writers gather news and stories from investigative research. Preparation, research, accuracy, and questioning skills are all very important in investigative journalism. Have students develop and discuss possible interview questi ons, then conduct an interview and prepare a feature story profiling another student in the class. • Have students tackle a sports issue. They might consider the role of sports in a scholastic setting, the costs of financing sports and athletes, sports injuries, or pressures placed on athletes. After interviewing players and coaches, they can write a feature article on their find
