Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Feature Article / 197

STEP 8: Writing—Drafting the Conclusion

The conclusion of a feature article is much like the conclusion of a short story: it
gives an air of finality and ties together any loose ends. It may also refer back to the
lead. It usually does not, however, end with a summary or conclusion in the manner
of a traditional expository composition.

STEP 9: Writing—Preparing the Headline

Sometimes feature writers have the opportunity to develop their own headlines; in
other cases, someone else assumes this responsibility. If you develop your own, or
if someone else accepts your suggestions, you should add a headline that attracts
reader attention and pinpoints the focus of your article.

STEP 10: Revising—Checking for Good Writing

Techniques

Because the feature article is more nearly creative writing than anything else, revise
the piece according to these suggestions:

• Does^ the^ article^ reflect^ careful,^ complete^ research?


• Do^ I^ attract^ my^ reader’s^ attention^ in^ the^ opening^ paragraph?


• Does^ the^ article^ maintain^ interest^ throughout?


• Did^ I^ follow^ a^ logical^ organization^ to^ achieve^ my^ purpose?


• Have^ I^ maintained^ unity?^ [See Sample Revision for Unity in Chapter 3,
  Revising.]


• Have^ I^ varied^ sentence^ structure^ in^ keeping^ with^ the^ tone^ and^ purpose?^ [See
  Sample Revision for Sentence Variety in Chapter 3, Revising.]


• Are^ transitions^ sufficient^ to^ guarantee^ smooth^ reading?^ [See Sample Revision
  for Transition in Chapter 3, Revising.]


• Does^ the^ word^ choice^ show^ freshness^ and^ originality?


• Have^ I^ eliminated^ wordiness?^ [See Sample Revision for Wordiness in Chapter 3,
  Revising.]

STEP 11: Proofreading—Checking the Details

In the journalistic trade, writers refer to copy reading rather than proofreading. Copy
reading occurs in the newspaper business when the writer completes his final copy.
He reads to correct his own errors. On the other hand, proofreading takes place after
the printed proof is ready. Then the writer reads for others’ errors.

Whatever you call it—copy reading or proofreading—be sure to check your final
copy carefully for grammar, mechanics, and usage errors. If the publication for
which you are writing has its own style manual, check it for stylistic details.