Feature Writing in the UK

Instructor: Jay Perkins

E-Mail: jrperk@lsu.edu

Webpage: http://www.jour.lsu.edu or http://perkins.jour.lsu.edu

Course Objective---- To learn how to turn words into pictures, boring life into something interesting, the trite into something of significance, puns into punditry, empty space into pages of copy, and words into money. Well look at how to write features, how to target features to specific audiences, and how to write an inquiry letterthe first step in making money by doing things you want to do.

Students will be expected to know basic AP style and to turn in neatly typed assignments. Incorrectly spelled words and grammatical mistakes will result in a lowering of your grade.

Required Text: Louisa Peat O'Neil, Travel Writing. In addition, we will examine a variety of features available through the Internet.

Required Equipment: Pencil and notepad. If you have access to a portable computer, that would be very helpful. If you don't own a laptop, you can use the nearby Internet cafes to write your assignments.  Internet cafes are located within walking distance of our accommodations in both London and Edinburgh. These cafes will let you access the Internet and type your stories but theyll charge you a couple of dollars U.S. for an hour of time.  

Grading:  You will have five outside assignments and a variety of  in-class assignments and exams. The outside assignments will account for 90 percent of your grade and the in-class work for 10 percent. You will be given a numerical grade on each assignment. Be sure and note that some outside assignments are worth more than others. All outside assignments and their weight are listed by the date due.

Your first three assignments will be completed and turned in to the instructor during the time we are in the U.K. The last two assignments can be turned in after your return to the U.S. but by no later than Sept. 5. Assignments can be handwritten but youll find it much easier if you use a computer to help you organize your thoughts.

Class attendance: I expect you to attend class daily. We will be discussing the techniques to be applied to your stories and critiquing your work during this class time.  While we will not have a large number of in-class assignments, any that you miss will result in a zero for that assignment. And a zero can hurt your grade much worse than an F.

Classes will begin on time. If you are late, take a seat quietly. I will not repeat information already presented in class simply because you were late to class.

Unethical behavior:    Plagarism can get you expelled from LSU. Don't do it. Do not take information from another source, including your classmates and portray it as your own. Do not quote anyone as having told you something if they did not. Do not interview friends, roommates or others and portray them as experts when they are not. Do not  take the words of other reporters or information collected from media outlets as portray it as your own research. If  you must quote another reporter's work, attribute the information to that reporter.

 In cases of apparent plagarism, LSU policy requires the instructor to turn the matter over to the Dean of Students for potential disciplinary action. The instructor cannot handle the infraction by simply giving you a bad grade.

 Bottom line: If in doubt, attribute it. That's a basic rule of journalism anyway.

 Assignment I 

Summary lead feature. This feature should focus on a topic that would be of interest to your target publication. This should be a light feature, maybe a little offbeat, certainly not serious. Because it is a summary lead feature, it will start with a summary lead (basic news lead approach) and use an inverted pyramid body. It can have a summary ending as well. This is your chance to show off your writing ability and your ability to make a dull story fascinating. It must have at least four sources. This assignment will be due on Friday at the end of the first week . It is worth 10 percent of your grade.

Assignment II

Personality Profile--Write an in depth personality profile of someone of interest. This feature must have interviews with the person being profiled, interviews with family members and/or neighbors and others who know him/her well, background on their life and what makes them interesting, etc. The focus MUST be on what shaped the individual and on the factors that made the individual what he/she is today. In other words, what were the turning points in his/her life, what were the biggest influences, what makes them interesting today. It should be detailed enough that I would be able to recognize the person physically if he/she walked across the street. It should be at least 4 pages in length, typed and double spaced and must have at least 5 different sources. I expect dynamite quotes and strong writing. This assignment will be due on Friday at the end of the second week. It  is worth 10 percent of your grade.

  Assignment III

Summary Feature Travel feature. This feature should focus on a destination of interest to travelers. It should be incredibly detailed and yet light enough for entertaining reading, maybe a little offbeat, certainly not too serious. Because it is a summary lead feature, it will start with a summary lead (basic news lead approach) and use an inverted pyramid body.  It must have at least four sources.  I expect lots of attribution and a good amount of research. This assignment will be due on Wednesday in the middle of the third week. It  is worth 15 percent of your grade.

Assignment  IV

Descriptive Feature Travel Piece. Write a feature on an interesting place. This article must be detailed enough that the New York Times would want to buy it. That means information on everything that is interesting about the place, the history, the physical description, the hours of admission (if any), the cost (if any), etc.   This feature will be due on or before Sept. 1. It is worth 25 percent of your grade.

Assignment V

Travel issue story. Find and write an informative feature on travel opportunities in England for your target audience. You may select your target audience, such as students, older residents of Louisiana who might This story will use the Wall Street Journal format. It should be written in blocks with a narrative or descriptive lead. It must have a horizontal and a vertical axis. It must have a section dealing with one person's experience. This story must have at least 8 documented sources (quoted sources plus written documents) and should be at least six to eight pages in length. It will be deadly serious and will have a strong hard news peg written with a feature lede. This story is due on or before Sept. 1. It is worth 25 percent of your grade.