What Is The Difference Between a News Story and a Feature?

In the world of journalism and public relations, understanding the distinction between a news story and a feature is crucial.

Both serve unique purposes and cater to different aspects of reporting and storytelling – so you need to know what differentiates them.

Let’s explore the key differences between these two forms of editorial content.

News stories: Timely and concise

A news story is centred around timeliness. It deals with events, developments, or occurrences that are happening now or in the near future and the primary focus of a news story is to inform the audience about recent events quickly and efficiently.

1. Timeliness: News stories are time-sensitive. They report on current events or announcements that have just happened or are about to happen.

2. Brevity: These stories are typically short, ranging from 30 (if it appears as a small nib in a newspaper) to 400 words. They provide the essential facts without unnecessary elaboration.

3. Structure: News stories follow the inverted pyramid structure, where the most critical information appears at the beginning. This includes the who, what, when, where and why.

4. Objectivity: The tone of a news story is straightforward and objective. The goal is to deliver information without the writer's personal opinions or interpretations.

5. Examples: Product launches, election results, court rulings, company announcements, and other immediate events.

Feature stories: In-depth and reflective

In contrast to news stories, feature stories are more reflective and delve deeper into a subject. They provide a comprehensive look at trends, patterns, or significant issues, often using a narrative style to engage the reader.

Characteristics of a feature story:

1. Depth: Features explore a topic in detail, providing background information, context, and multiple perspectives.

2. Length: These stories are generally longer than news stories, often around 2,000 words or more – as well as often having a longer lead time to pull them together.

3. Structure: While the structure can vary, feature stories often use a more narrative approach. They might start with an anecdote or scene setting before diving into the main topic.

4. Subjectivity: Features allow for a more subjective tone. Writers can include their observations, opinions, and analysis, making the story richer and more engaging.

5. Examples: In-depth profiles of individuals or companies, analysis of industry trends, human interest stories, and explorations of cultural phenomena.

Feature writing requires a different set of skills compared to news writing.

The writer must be able to engage the reader with a compelling narrative while providing in-depth information and analysis. This involves thorough research, interviewing sources, and crafting a story that captures the reader’s interest from beginning to end.

News story:"Tesla Launches First Flying Car"

This would report on the event of the launch, providing the essential details such as the time, place, key features of the car, and initial reactions.

Feature story: "How Flying Cars Could Revolutionise Urban Commutes"

This would explore the broader implications of flying cars, including potential changes to urban planning, environmental impact, and the experiences of early adopters.

Both news stories and features play essential roles in journalism and public relations. News stories keep the public informed about current events with accuracy and brevity, while features offer a deeper dive into topics, providing context and engaging storytelling. Understanding these differences helps in creating content that meets the intended purpose and audience expectations effectively.

Whether you're a journalist, a PR professional or a business owner looking to communicate effectively, knowing when to use a news story or a feature can make a significant difference in how your message is received.

If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch.

Alternatively, why not read our latest blog and explore how to make your Instagram posts more engaging?