How To Write Special Feature Articles

will interest the average man and woman, and to see the picturesque, romantic, and significant phases of these subjects; (2) a sympathetic understanding of the lives and interest

he must know how much it will interest him. An alert, responsive attitude of mind toward everything that is going on in the world, and especially in that part of the world immediately around him, will reveal a host of subjects. By reading newspapers, magazines, and books, as well as by inte

f its phases touch most closely the life and the interests of the average person for whom he is writing. He must look at things from "the other fellow's

e counts among the basest defects), because it leads to the disclosure of the causes of character and temperament and thereby to a better understanding of the springs of human conduct." The importance of curiosity and of a

retty near being the truth to say that a great journalist is a super-gossip-not about trivial things but about important things. Unless a man has a ceaseles

age, cowardice-at everything that is remarkable about him wherever and whenever it appears. If you haven't this sense of wonder, you will never write a novel or

henever mistakes appear in an article, readers are sure to write to the editor calling his attention to them. Moreover, the discovery of incorrect statements impairs the confidence of readers in the magazine. If there is reas

ission to bring out this meaning. A sympathetic understanding of the persons who figure in his article is essential, not only to portray them accurately, but to give his story the nec

himself the persons and things that he is portraying and explaining, is obviously the sine qua non of success. Ease, flu

wspaper reporter, and practical experience in some other occupation or profession in which the writer intends to specialize in his writing. Although not all

knowledge of many subjects that he will find useful for his articles. A liberal education furnishes a background that is invaluable for all kinds of literary work. Universities also offer excellent opportunities for specialization. Intensive study in some one field of knowledge, such as agriculture, banking and finance, home economics, public health, social service, government and pol

y in the writing of special feature and magazine articles, but also in newspaper reporting, editing, and short story writing. To write constantly un

est substitute for college work generally available to persons who cannot go to college. F

tes news and what determines news values; that is, it helps him to recognize at once, not only what interests the average reader, but how much it interests him. Then, too, in the course of his round of news gathering a reporter sees more of human

cture and of style. In the rush of rapid writing, the importance of care in the choice of words and in the arrangement of phrases and clauses is easily forgotten. Even though well-edited newspapers insist on the highest possible degree of accuracy in presenting news, the exigencies of ne

seamy side of life constantly before him, he may find that his faith in human nature is being undermined. If, however, he loses his idealism, he cannot hope to give his

of magazine articles and to magazine editing, Mr. Ho

ing out for. The man who has been through the newspaper mill seems to have a

ds, the feel of what is of immediate public interest is

same as the purpose of a newspaper story-to tell a tale

f to write. To engage for some time in farming, railroading, household management, or any other occupation, equips a person to write more intelligently ab

purely commercial standpoint, editors are middlemen who buy from producers what they believe they can sell to their customers. Unless an editor satisfies his readers with his articles, they will cease to buy his publication. If his literary wares are not what his readers

ly the editor, that he must keep in mind in selecting his material and in writing his article. "Will the reader like this?" is the question that he must ask himself at every stage of his work.

author to think that what interests him and his immediate circle will appeal equally to people in general. To write successfully, however, for the Sunday magazine of a newspaper, it is necessary to keep in mind the butcher

cation to meet the needs and interests of all its members. An editor who desired to reach such a family would be immeasurably helped in selecting his material by trying constantly to judge from their point of view whatever passed through his hands. It is equally tru

only must he see them in their surroundings; he must try to see life from their point of view. The attitude of the typical city man toward the farm and country

last, and all the time, its readers-their surroundings, their education, their income, thei

een well brought out by Mr. John M. Siddall, editor of the American M

o look at things from the other fellow's point of view sim

In the same way, the journalist, the preacher, and the politician must look at things from the point of view of those they would reach. They must feel the needs of others and then reach out and meet those needs. They can never have a large following unless they give something. The same law runs into the huma

what they are interested in, is to study the contents carefully. No writer should send an article to a publication before he has examined critically several of its latest issues. In fact, no writer

nt of view from which these subjects are presented. Every successful periodical has a distinct individuality, which may be regarded as an expression of the editor's idea of what his readers

mination of the articles in one or more issues will reveal a more specific basis of selection. Thus, one Sunday paper will be found to contain articles on the latest political, sociological, and l

xact point of view from which the material is treated. Every editor aims to present the contents of his publication in the

onnected with the city and with the state or states in which the paper circulates. The advantage of beginning his study of newspaper stories with those published in papers near his home lies in the fact that he is familiar with the interests of the readers of these papers and can readily understand their point of view. By

zine sections of the leading papers of the country. From the work of the most experienced and original of the feature writers, which is gen

of articles discussed in Chapter V. Since magazine articles are usually signed, it is possible to seek out and study the work of various successful authors in order to determine wherein lies the effectiveness of their writi

Because he finds that the average uncritical reader not only accepts commonplace work but is apparently attracted by meretricious devices in writing, he may conclude that high literary standards are not essential to popular success. The temptation undoubtedly is great both for editors and writers to supply articles that are no be

t readers do not demand better writing in their newspapers and magazines does not mean that they are unappreciative of good work. Nor do originality and precision in style necessarily "go over the heads" of the average person. Whenever writers and editors

cuse for printing fiction and articles that are obviously demoralizing in their effect. A heterogeneous public inevitably includes a considerable number of individuals who are attracted by a suggestive trea

nd women are unconsciously guided in their ideas and aspirations by what they read in newspapers and magazines, he cannot fail to appreciate his responsibility. Grasping the full significance of his sp