Course Description
Feature writing is an inventive and creative form of journalism. It allows mass communicators to bring some of the techniques of fiction writing to non-fiction writing. The course has been designed to help communicators use their imagination and creativity to explore issues, events, trends and processes, often in greater depth and sensitivity and in a more interesting and lively manner. It equips students with the skills and tools relevant for researching topics for write-ups.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able:
· Organize their ideas coherently, clearly and convincingly in paragraphs
· Demonstrate an understanding of the different types features and their uses
· Write features that will persuade, motivate and mobilize audiences towards diverse causes
· Demonstrate a profound understanding of what an editorial is and its uses
· Evaluate a feature using relevant models and paradigms
Course Content
· The concept of Feature
· Categories of Features
· The Features Market; Ideas for Features; Researching for the Article
· Guidelines for writing introduction, body and ending of a feature
· Style and Presentation
· Content Analysis of features from newspapers/magazines
· What is Editorial; Research for Editorial
· Organizing the Editorial
· Critical Editorials
· Content Analysis of Editorials from newspapers/magazines
Compulsory Reading Materials
· Kwame, Boafo, S.T. (1991). Module on Advanced Writing. Nairobi: African Council for Communication Education.
· Harrower, Tim. (2010). Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism. New Delhi: McGraw Hill Education.