Writing Feature Stories: Master the Art of Compelling Narratives

Question 1

Which element is detrimental to a captivating feature story?

Accepted Answer

Predictable and formulaic elements

Answer

A compelling narrative structure

Answer

Thorough research and interviews

Answer

Vivid and evocative language

Question 2

When selecting a topic for a feature story, which of the following is NOT a key consideration?

Accepted Answer

Personal interest

Answer

Timeliness

Answer

Relevance

Answer

Impact

Question 3

What is a defining characteristic of a strong lead in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

It effectively combines all of these elements

Answer

It captures the reader's attention

Answer

It provides a concise summary of the story

Answer

It includes intriguing details

Question 4

When structuring a feature story, which of the following is NOT a primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Adhering to a specific story length

Answer

Ensuring a logical flow and progression of ideas

Answer

Using transitions to guide the reader

Answer

Maintaining a consistent tone and style

Question 5

What is the ethical obligation of a feature writer toward their sources?

Accepted Answer

Fulfilling all of these responsibilities

Answer

Accurately representing their perspectives

Answer

Protecting their confidentiality when necessary

Answer

Verifying the accuracy of their information

Question 6

Which writing techniques are commonly employed in feature stories to enhance depth and context?

Accepted Answer

A combination of all these techniques

Answer

Descriptive language

Answer

Figurative language

Answer

Incorporation of historical background

Question 7

What is the fundamental distinction between a news story and a feature story?

Accepted Answer

A combination of all these factors

Answer

Timeliness of the information

Answer

Depth and exploration of the subject matter

Answer

Focus on objectivity versus subjectivity

Question 8

Which of the following is a common challenge faced by feature writers?

Accepted Answer

Addressing all of these challenges

Answer

Finding compelling topics

Answer

Balancing objectivity and subjectivity

Answer

Crafting a cohesive and engaging narrative

Question 9

In feature writing, which element sets it apart from news reporting?

Accepted Answer

In-depth analysis and storytelling

Answer

Objectivity and impartiality

Answer

Timely and event-centered nature

Answer

Focus on factual information

Question 10

During interviews for a feature story, the most important ethical consideration is:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining confidentiality and anonymity

Answer

Prioritizing objectivity over empathy

Answer

Pressuring sources to provide information

Answer

Withholding the purpose of the interview initially

Question 11

To write a compelling lead paragraph for a feature story, consider using:

Accepted Answer

A vivid anecdote or personal experience

Answer

Dry facts and statistics

Answer

A summary of the entire story

Answer

A controversial question that may spark debate

Question 12

Which aspect of a feature story's structure provides background information?

Accepted Answer

Nutshell

Answer

Anecdotes and quotations

Answer

Body paragraphs

Answer

Conclusion

Question 13

To enhance readability and flow in a feature story, which writing technique is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Using active voice and strong verbs

Answer

Writing in a highly technical and specialized style

Answer

Including unnecessary adjectives and adverbs

Answer

Avoiding transitions and connecting words

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a common type of feature story?

Accepted Answer

News analysis

Answer

Profile

Answer

Investigative

Answer

Travelogue

Question 15

When writing a feature story, it is important to maintain:

Accepted Answer

A balance between objectivity and subjectivity

Answer

Complete objectivity and detachment

Answer

A personal and subjective tone

Answer

Complete impartiality, regardless of the topic

Question 16

For effective fact-checking in feature writing, it is essential to:

Accepted Answer

Verify sources through interviews and research

Answer

Rely solely on personal knowledge and experience

Answer

Quote sources directly without providing context

Answer

Use information from unverified social media posts

Question 17

How does feature writing adhere to the fundamental principles of journalism?

Accepted Answer

It offers thorough analysis and context for intricate issues.

Answer

It prioritizes entertainment and sensationalism.

Answer

It is exempt from ethical principles and standards.

Answer

It aims to fully replace conventional news reporting.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a key element of a compelling narrative in feature writing?

Accepted Answer

Technical or jargon-filled language

Answer

Well-developed central characters

Answer

Emotional engagement for readers

Answer

Logical progression of events

Question 19

What is the primary function of a nut graph in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

To smoothly transition from the lead to the body of the story

Answer

To provide additional background information and context

Answer

To summarize the key points of the story

Answer

To conclude the story

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of writing feature stories?

Accepted Answer

Becoming wealthy and famous

Answer

Developing strong writing and storytelling skills

Answer

Improving interviewing and research abilities

Answer

Gaining a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities

Question 21

Which ethical consideration is particularly relevant in feature writing?

Accepted Answer

Privacy and confidentiality

Answer

Objectivity and fairness

Answer

Accuracy and verification

Answer

Avoiding sensationalism

Question 22

A key distinction between news writing and feature writing lies in:

Accepted Answer

Narrative focus

Answer

Timeliness

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Length

Question 23

In an interview, which type of question is most effective for eliciting specific and detailed responses?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions

Answer

Closed-ended questions

Answer

Leading questions

Answer

Hypothetical questions

Question 24

To create a sense of immediacy and engage readers in a feature story, which writing technique is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Use of descriptive language

Answer

Chronological ordering of events

Answer

Formal and objective tone

Answer

Inclusion of technical jargon

Question 25

What is the primary function of the lead in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

To hook the reader and provide context

Answer

To summarize the entire story

Answer

To state the thesis statement

Answer

To provide extensive background information

Question 26

When writing feature stories for a general audience, which type of language is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Clear and concise language

Answer

Academic jargon

Answer

Technical terminology

Answer

Colloquialisms

Question 27

Which of the following elements is typically NOT included in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

Extensive use of statistics

Answer

Attention-grabbing headline

Answer

Informative interviews

Answer

Accurate citations

Question 28

In feature writing, what is a key reason for using literary techniques like metaphors and vivid descriptions?

Accepted Answer

Enhance emotional impact

Answer

Increase objectivity

Answer

Simplify complex ideas

Answer

Make the writing more formal

Question 29

Which of the following is a characteristic of effective feature writing?

Accepted Answer

Narrative storytelling

Answer

Sensationalism

Answer

Brevity

Answer

Technical jargon

Question 30

When conducting an interview for a feature story, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Establish a rapport with the interviewee

Answer

Focus on getting all the information quickly

Answer

Avoid asking open-ended questions

Answer

Interrupt the interviewee to ensure you cover all questions

Question 31

What is the main purpose of a 'lede' in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

Grab the reader's attention and introduce the main idea

Answer

Summarize the entire story

Answer

Provide background information

Question 32

Which of the following is a common technique used to enhance the depth and authenticity of feature stories?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating quotes and anecdotes

Answer

Avoiding personal observations

Answer

Relying exclusively on statistical data

Answer

Using only technical jargon

Question 33

When selecting a topic for a feature story, it is important to consider the:

Accepted Answer

Relevance, timeliness, and interest to the audience

Answer

Popularity and sensationalism

Answer

Academic importance

Question 34

What is the ethical responsibility of a feature writer regarding the information they gather?

Accepted Answer

To verify facts, respect privacy, and avoid bias

Answer

To sensationalize the story for maximum impact

Answer

To report only what their sources tell them

Answer

To prioritize their own opinions and interpretations

Question 35

Which of the following is a typical length range for a feature story?

Accepted Answer

800-1200 words

Answer

200-500 words

Answer

5000-10000 words

Answer

1500-2000 words

Question 36

What is the importance of using strong verbs in feature writing?

Accepted Answer

They enhance readability, create vivid imagery, and convey emotions

Answer

They make the tone of the story more academic

Answer

They reduce the length of sentences

Question 37

Which of the following best describes a key difference between a news article and a feature story?

Accepted Answer

Feature stories focus on human interest and narrative rather than timeliness

Answer

Feature stories are always longer than news articles

Answer

News articles use more quotes

Question 38

When selecting a topic for a feature story, it is most important to consider its:

Accepted Answer

Relevance to the target audience

Answer

Personal interest to the writer

Answer

Length of the story

Answer

Availability of expert sources

Question 39

To conduct a successful interview for a feature story, the best approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Prepare thoroughly, ask open-ended questions, and build rapport

Answer

Ask as many questions as possible to cover all aspects

Answer

Dominate the conversation and steer the interview towards desired topics

Question 40

Which of the following is a common structure for a feature story?

Accepted Answer

Anecdotal lead, followed by body paragraphs and a conclusion that reinforces the main theme

Answer

Chronological order from beginning to end

Answer

Inverted pyramid structure with most important information first

Question 41

The primary purpose of using descriptive language in a feature story is to:

Accepted Answer

Immerse the reader in the scene and evoke a vivid experience

Answer

Provide factual information about the subject

Answer

Entertain the reader with colorful language

Question 42

When writing a feature story, it is ethically important to:

Accepted Answer

Verify sources, respect privacy, and avoid conflicts of interest

Answer

Fabricate quotes or events to make the story more compelling

Answer

Use anonymous sources without their permission

Question 43

The length of a feature story should primarily be determined by:

Accepted Answer

The complexity of the topic, the target audience, and the publication guidelines

Answer

The word count limit set by the editor

Answer

How much time the writer has to complete the story

Question 44

A strong conclusion for a feature story should:

Accepted Answer

Provide closure, reinforce the main theme, and leave a lasting impact

Answer

Summarize the main points without offering any new insights

Answer

Introduce new information that was not covered in the body

Question 45

The primary difference between a news story and a feature story is that:

Accepted Answer

News stories report on current events, while feature stories provide in-depth narratives

Answer

Feature stories are always about celebrities or public figures

Answer

News stories are shorter than feature stories