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Module 1, Activity 5.2 - Reading for Meaning: Feature Articles
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Introduction: Feature stories are increasing in popularity. More and more journalists seek to write feature stories. Under the umbrella heading of features, there are several different types of features. Now that you have been introduced to features, in this lesson, you will have the opportunity to read different features, learn the types of features and determine the general characteristics of a feature story.
Activities: Task One - Comparing Features and News To begin, you will read the information reviewing the difference between feature stories and hard new stories. After you have reviewed the information on hard and soft news, your teacher will give you some news articles to read. Read the articles and for each article, answer the reading guide questions. After you are finished, discuss the differences between the hard news stories you read and the feature stories you read. As a class, compile a list of characteristics of a feature. Task Two - Types of Features/Organizing Features Next, review the information on types of features and organizing features.
	Once you have scanned the information, test your knowledge of the types of features by trying this timed quiz.
Task Three - Looking for Types of Features Once you know the different types of features, get into groups of 5. Each group will be given a group of at least 3 feature stories.

Objectives: You will be able to - identify conventions of feature stories - state and evaluate an author's theme, tone, and viewpoint - assess an author's ideas and techniques - relate the structure of the work to the author's purpose and theme - compare, contrast, and evaluate texts
Resources: - internet access - reading guide Task Three - Continued . . .
Your job is classify each story as one of the five types of features.
After you have finished reading and classifying each feature, select one person from your group to go to the board. Her job is write the title of each of your group's stories under the proper category. Once the board has the complete list of titles, follow these steps: 1. each member of your group must take one of the numbers 1-5. 2. You will gather with all of the people with the same assigned number and find all the articles that have been listed under your type of feature. 3. Your new group must make a list of the characteristics of that particular type of feature. 4. One member from each group will act as a reporter and give the class information on the type of feature. 5. Take notes on the characteristics of all other types of features. At the end, you should have a list the characteristics of each type of feature

Last Updated
May 30, 2005

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