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Module 1, Activity 5.2 - Reading for Meaning: Feature Articles
Teacher Page
(student page for this lesson)

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 students have been introduced to features, in this lesson, they will have the opportunity to read different features, learn the types of features and determine the general characteristics of a feature story.

Resources:

- internet access
- several different feature stories
- a few news articles
- reading guide (.doc) or (.rtf)
- definitions for feature comprehension quiz (.doc) or (.rtf)

Activities:

Task One - Comparing Features and News
The students will read the information reviewing the difference between feature stories and hard new stories.

Give the students a reading guide. As an advanced organizer, have the students skim the questions before reading. Hand the students 2-4 articles that you have brought with you to class. At least one of these articles should be a feature story and one should be a hard news story. The students must read each of the articles and complete the reading guide questions for each article.

After the students have finished the questions, briefly discuss each article as a class. Help the students to see the different style, tone, format, and word choices used in the articles specifically calling attention to one news story and one feature.

After you have determined which of the articles was a feature and which was a hard news story, as a class create a list of the characteristics of a feature story.

Task Two - Types of Features/Organizing Features
Students should read the information on types of features and organizing features. This information will allow them to look at the different types of features and the characteristics of writing a feature.

Have the students add anything that may have been missed on the list you made as a class on feature characteristics.

As a review of the feature types, students can try the quiz that is linked on the student version of this page.

Task Three - Looking for Types of Features
Students should get into groups of 5 and each group should be handed at least 3 feature stories. The group's job is to determine which type of feature each story is.

** It will be important that you have chosen numerous features from different papers and that there is a variety of types.

Write each type of feature on the board with a number beside it. One student from each group must come up and write the titles of the features his group has read under the correct type.

Once the board has a complete list of titles, have the students split into new groups to look at features from the different categories. By following the steps on the student version of this page, at the end all students should have information on each type of feature.

While the groups are working, it may be helpful for students to have an overview of each type of feature. Using the data projector to display the website briefly describing each feature will give students a reference point from which to start.

Assessment and Evaluation:
These tasks introduce students to the types of features and their characteristics. Through discussion and the presentations of the groups, you will have the opportunity to monitor for understanding. The students will have the chance to monitor their understanding of the types of features through the timed quiz.

The teacher may also choose to do a quick comprehension quiz at the end of this lesson. Once you have turned off the data projector, give the students a quick listening quiz to reinforce their knowledge on features.

1. Have the students number a page from 1-5.
2. Read the definition for a type of feature
3. Students must write down the type of feature to correspond to the definition.
4. At the end, collect the papers and record a mark out of 5 for each student.