Test 02
What is a feature article? A feature article is an article written to give more depth to topical events, people or issues. Written by an expert or a journalist, these texts provide background information on a newsworthy topic as well as the writer’s personal slant or experience. Voice Features articles use a mix of first, second or third person as appropriate. First person (I, me, my, we, us, our) can be used to establish a relationship with the reader, a relationship with the person who has died and to possibly explain anecdotes. Third person is used where the speaker is providing a personal history of the deceased or an outline of their life. Language & Grammar Language choice can be formal or informal depending on topic. The use of informal, colloquial (slang) and first person narrative creates a personal tone to the piece. Uses mainly present tense. Variety of long and short sentences. Contractions are acceptable (didn’t, it’s, that’s, we’ll). Relevant jargon adds authenticity to information and opinions presented. Use of anecdotes or background information to maintain reader interest. Facts or evidence validates the writer's viewpoints. In humorous articles, exaggeration and generalisation are used to heighten humour. Rhetorical questions can be used to involve the reader. Emotive words are used to evoke a personal response in the reader. Figurative language may be used to engage the reader’s imagination (eg. imagery, simile, description). Direct quotes can personalise the topic. Structure and Organisation
Introduction Headline: to identify the focus of the feature; attention grabbing
Subheading: provides an angle or point of view By-line: to identify the expert or journalist writing the report Hook: An interesting first sentence to ‘hook’ readers’ attention and establish a point of view through a direct statement, example or hypothetical question. Introductory paragraph: This paragraph expands on the hook and establishes the writer’s tone and focus for the article.
Body Paragraph 2: first main point. An explanation of how this person/issue has contributed to society. This should be an interpretation of events in the author’s own words.
Paragraph 3 onwards: further main points provided to explain
interesting events or achievements about the person/issue to inform the reader /delve into the issue further. Facts, evidence, quotes, challenging questions to the reader, opinions are included in these paragraphs
Photographs, tables, diagrams and graphs are often used to accompany the text in feature articles to provide facts or evidence to support the author’s explanation and interpretation of the person/issue/events Can include highlighted pieces of text to emphasise specific events or quotes
Conclusion The concluding paragraph should leave a lasting impression by:
Reminding the reader of the article's main idea Suggesting an appropriate course of action Encouraging a change of attitude or opinion
Global use of sand
English plan
type : informative feature
stance on the subject (angle) : unknown
who is my target Audience : young adults
the purpose : its mission is to educate and entertain its readers with general-interest topics that combine substance with savvy (sa mission est d'éduquer et de divertir ses lecteurs avec des sujets d'intérêt général qui allient substance et astuce)
structure : Headline - Secondary Headline - Controlling idea - Lead - Body - Close - Quotation
Research :
Statistics
Case studies
Quotes from expert
Interviews
title : shortage of sand, closer than you think
introduction :
—-
Facts
“sand and gravel represent the highest volume of raw material used on earth after water. Their use greatly exceeds their natural renewal rates” UNEP - The insatiable demand for sand.
Issues “…40 billion metric tons of sand and gravel extracted every year for the construction industry, glass manufacturing, and other uses-such as land reclamation and oil exploration will never be replenished” insatiable demand
“25 islands have already disappeared to supply Singapore with sand” sand: a global issue
“No where is the struggle for sand more ferocious than in India. Battles among and against ‘sand mafias’ there have reportedly killed hundreds of people in recent years” insatiable demand
Resources “Given that most of what we build today is made of glass and concrete, sand is a fundamental resource for our economic development” insatiable demand
“Some cities use sand to expand their landmass: Singapore holds the world record in that category. The island city-state is 20 percent bigger than it was 40 years ago, thanks to sand imported” insatiable demand
Étape 1; Headline Behind the Beauty of the Beach
Étape 2; secondary headline bien simple Example; introduction, advantages and disadvantages, conclusion
Étape 3; écrit tes paragraphes en dessous de tes headlines
Étape 4; conclusion
400 mots; 100 intro, 200 milieu, 100 conclusion
Oublie pas d’écrire ton nom pis de fermer ta gueule
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what sand is used for besides sand castles and summer vacations on the beach? Sand is used on a daily basis in all of our surroundings like concrete and glass. Sand plays a part in your car, your windows, your house and much more which is why it is so important. Although it is such an important resource, it has been causing many problems with our environment due to such high production and many problems between people since everyone wants more sand. Even though it may cause problems, some may see it as being worth it considering the amount of good that comes out of such a high production of glass and concrete.
Headline : The headline is like the catchy title of the feature article. It hints at the topic and is found at the top of the feature article. Its purpose is to interest readers and to attract their attention.
How to Write A Good Headline:
Make it catchy and/or intriguing;
Include the use of rhetorical devices (ex. alliteration, repetition, metaphors etc.)
Secondary Headline : The secondary headline gives more information about the topic, and should include the angle and controlling idea.
While the headline is there to attract readers, the secondary headline is a bit more serious. Its purpose is to give the audience a more precise idea of what they will read about.
Controlling Idea : The controlling idea stems from the angle. It tells the reader what they will read about, the direction the article is going in.
It can be a difficult concept to grasp at first, but the controlling idea is quite simple. Think of it as where the feature article will take the reader. It is a further narrowing down of the angle. It may act as a kind of guideline for the audience, something for them to keep in mind as they are reading the article.
Lead : The lead is the opening paragraph of the feature article, and includes the angle and controlling idea. It should hook the readers, interest them enough to make them read the rest of the article.
How to Write a Successful Lead: The lead can be written in just about any way possible. The way it turns out depends on the writer. However, the following points must be included for the lead to be successful:
1. The lead must hook the reader. Possible ways to do this: Humour: jokes and puns are a good way to attract attention, all the while setting a light tone for what is to come. Anecdotes: these help set up the issue, they give the readers something to grasp. Through examples, anecdotes help the reader visualize the issue. Description: a description of a situation, event, or feeling conveys lots of emotion. Facts and/or statistics: presented with punch, these can immediately interest a reader into wanting to know more. 2. The lead must include the angle and the controlling idea: The angle is prescribed, it is given on the day of the exam. Though the wording doesn't need to be the same, the angle does need to be mentioned in the lead. If the controlling idea is not present, the readers do not know what they are reading about. They need to be given something to care about or look forward to learning about, otherwise, they will lose interest and disengage.
Important! The lead is NOT the same as the introduction to an essay. It does NOT contain a general context, a thesis and three arguments.
Body : Cause and effect: information is presented by describing the cause of an issue by providing context (important events and players) and then showing its effect on the involved pThe body is where you present the issue to the reader. It is the bulk of the article.The writer is the one who determines the way the article is structured. The information found in the feature can be organized in many ways. Below are some examples: Problem-solution: information is presented by describing a problem within a context, and ending with a possible solution. General to specific: information is presented from a wide context to more specific points of the issue. Chronologically: information is presented through time. Logically: any other form which is logical works, as long as it is cle Cause and effect: information is presented by describing the cause of an issue by providing context (important events and players) and then showing its effect on the involved people, environment, businesses etc.. Important! Unlike an essay which would have 3 body paragraphs, the development of a feature article should/can be written in many short paragraphs.
close : the close is the last paragraph of the article. It must leave a lasting impression.
Although it is the last paragraph of the article, it is NOT like a conclusion. It must not begin with something like 'In conclusion' or 'Finally'.
One way to leave a lasting impression is to circle back to the lead or the headline. For example, if an anecdote is used in the lead, you may want to mention the anecdote again in the close, now taking the information you have presented into consideration.
quotation : A quotation is taken from source texts, and is often from an expert or someone who is knowledgeable in a certain area of expertise. It gives weight and seriousness to the article.
A minimum of one quotation must be included in the feature article.
Have you ever been on vacation by the sea. Each time I lie down on the sand, I contemplate this resource which seems infinite to me