Updated in a new 7th edition, this book helps the reader cultivate vital journalistic skills. It combines clear explanations of each step in the writing process with a wide range of stories from some of the country's best newspaper, magazine and online feature writers. With detailed coverage on creating and refining article ideas, conducting research and interviews, writing, and navigating legal and ethical question, this bookuses experience-driven advice and compelling articles to show how award-winning journalists achieve excellence and national recognition.

CHAPTER one

The Newspaper Feature Story

The Feature: Helen’s Story

An Overview

Newspaper Feature Story Types: News and Timeless Features

Categories and Appeals

Newspaper Feature Writers: The Right Stuff

A Profile of the Pulitzer Winners

The Anatomy of a Newspaper Feature Story

“Mrs. Kelly’s Monster”

by Jon Franklin of the Baltimore Evening Sun

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

The Future: Trends in Newspaper Feature Writing

CHAPTER TWO

The Newspaper Feature Story Idea

What Newspaper Readers Want to Read

How to Get Ideas

Focusing Ideas

Ideas That Didn’t Work

Ideas That Worked

“Life on the Land: An American Farm Family”

by John Camp of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

“Pearls Before Breakfast”

“PEARLS BEFORE BREAKFAST”

by Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post Magazine

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

CHAPTER Three

The Magazine Article and Article Idea

How a Magazine Article Differs from a Newspaper Feature

Staff Writer Versus Freelancer

Three Necessary Skills for the Freelance Writer

Stalking the Elusive Article Idea

Matching Ideas to Markets

“Like Something the Lord Made”

by Katie McCabe for The Washingtonian

A National Magazine Award Winner

“Death of a Playmate”

by Teresa Carpenter for The Village Voice

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Taking the Next Step

CHAPTER four

Researching for Newspaper Feature Stories and Magazine Articles

Newspaper Reference Rooms AND COMPUTER FILES

Magazine Reference Resources

Computerized Research

Using Search Engines and Directories

WRITING FOR THE INTERNET

On the Decline of Print Journalism

Freelancing for the Internet

Turning Research into the Finished Article

“WHERE BUSINESS TRAVELERS LIVE”

by Joe Brancatelli

“WHy we hate the airlines and lobve diet coke”

by Joe Brancatelli

CHAPTER five

Interviewing for Newspaper Feature Stories and Magazine Articles

Kinds of Interviews

Getting Ready to Interview

Who to Interview

Asking for the Interview

Persuading People Who Don’t Want to Talk

When and Where to Interview

Researching the Interviewee

Conducting the Personal Interview

Making Friends

Asking Questions

Attribution Guidelines

Gathering Material

Fixing Quotes

Description

Excerpt from “The Boy Behind the Mask”

by Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “Crossing Over”

by J. R. Moehringer of The Los Angeles Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Closing the Session

The Interview Story

“Zepp’s Last Stand”

by Madeleine Blais of The Miami Herald

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

CHAPTER six

Writing the Newspaper Feature Story

Beginning the Process

Story Structure

Writing the Lead

A Dozen Lead Categories

Excerpt from “Angels and Demons”

by Tom French of the St. Petersburg Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “How Super Are Our Supercarriers?”

by Steve Twomey of The Philadelphia Inquirer

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “A Gift Abandoned: Day One–Jack-in-the-box”

by Sheryl James of the St. Petersburg Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘AIDS in the Heartland: Chapter 1’’

by Jacqui Banaszynski of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “Ashes to Dust”

by Linda Wilson of The Daily News, Longview, Washington

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “Being Black in South Africa: For Many, the Struggle Is Finding Work”

by David Zucchino of The Philadelphia Inquirer

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘Toxic Shock’’

by Nan Robertson of The New York Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘A Daughter Remembers Dad as He Lived, and Died’’

by Tad Bartimus of the Associated Press

A Pulitzer Prize Finalist

Excerpt from “Utica, Illinois”

by Julia Keller of the Chicago Tribune

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘Life on the Land: An American Farm Family’’: Part 2

by John Camp of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘Family, Town, Grieve Three Drowned Brothers’’

by Tad Bartimus of the Associated Press

A Pulitzer Prize Finalist

Excerpt from ‘‘Making It Fly: Buying a Jetliner–An Act of Faith’’

by Peter Rinearson of The Seattle Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “Mrs. Kelly’s Monster”

by Jon Franklin of the Baltimore Evening Sun

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “THE BUREAUCRACY: HOW DID IT GET SO BIG?”

By Saul Pett of The Associated Press

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from ‘‘Making It Fly: The Big Gamble’’

by Peter Rinearson of The Seattle Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Excerpt from “A Father’s Pain, a Judge’s Duty, and a Justice Beyond Their Reach”

by Barry Siegel of The Los Angeles Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Writing the Body of the Story

Writing the End of the Story

Excerpt from “Crime Scene: Beyond the Statistics, A Druggist Confronts the Reality of Robbery”

by Angelo B. Henderson of The Wall Street Journal

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

EXCERPT FROM “THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW”

By Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

WRITING A STORY FOR THE WEB

Analyzing Two Feature Stories

“A Boy of Unusual Vision”

by Alice Steinbach of the Baltimore Sun

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

“All She Has, $150,000, Is Going to a University”

by Rick Bragg of the New York Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

CHAPTER seven

Writing the Specialized Feature Story

The Deadline Feature Sidebar

“Ashes to Dust”

by Linda Wilson of The Daily News, Longview, Washington

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

The Profile

“Adam & Megan: A Story of One Family’s Courage”

by Dave Curtin of the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

The Feature Series

“First Born, Fast Grown: The Manful Life of Nicholas, 10”

by Isabel Wilkerson of The New York Times

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

The Specialized Feature Story and Multimedia Journalism

Excerpt from “Final Salute”

by Jim Sheeler of the Rocky Mountain News

A Pulitzer Prize Winner

CHAPTER eight

Marketing and Writing the Magazine Article

Case History

The Idea

The Market

The Query Letter

The Waiting Game

Gathering the Information

Organizing the Story

Sitting Down to Write

The Aftermath

Send in the Clones

“Genome Tome”

by Priscilla Long for The American Scholar

A National Magazine Award Winner

CHAPTER nine

Writing and Rewriting Like a Pro

Writers Must be Versatile

Revising Your Copy

Useful Writing Devices

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Common Writing Problems

Writing Subjectively

Putting It All Together

“Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D”

Game Review for PC Accelerator

“Medal of Honor: Allied Assault”

Game Review for MacAddict

CHAPTER ten

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Writers

Libel

Invasion of Privacy

Copyright Law

Copyright Protection

Copyright Infringement

Ethical Guidelines

Credits

Index

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Feature Writing The Pursuit of Excellence

How To: Textbook Rental

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Rewards Program