The Art of Feature Writing: From Newspaper Features and Magazine Articles to Commentary / Edition 1

by Earl R. Hutchison

Overview

From basic newspaper features to in-depth magazine articles and incisive commentary, The Art of Feature Writing introduces students to the myriad tasks of a journalist—including researching, interviewing, organizing, writing and marketing. Replete with accessible, dynamic examples drawn from a variety of diverse sources, this book takes a step-by-step approach to give students the skills, tools and confidence they need to produce their own distinctive material.

With the encouraging voice of an experienced teacher, Hutchison imparts sensible advice on both the craft of writing and the more practical concerns of a freelancer. The book is enhanced by rich pedagogical features including key points, chapter summaries and numerous exercises. From writing a lead that sings to the income tax implications of a freelance career, The Art of Feature Writing helps students generate compelling copy as they develop a more sophisticated understanding of the career of a writer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195179385
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/04/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Earl R. Hutchison is Professor and Director of the Communication Program at Tennessee Technological University. He brings a diverse professional and academic career to his writing. He was, for example, an arc welder for General Motors, and he also ran a cattle farm for ten years. After serving five years in three infantry divisions (30th, 24th, and 82nd) as a rifleman, platoon leader, and jumpmaster, he earned degrees leading to a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has also been an assistant editor on a weekly newspaper, an assistant editor on a small daily newspaper, and a general assignment reporter on a large daily newspaper. He is the author of Writing for Mass Communication, Second Edition; Tropic of Cancer on Trial: A Case History of Censorship; and coeditor of Mass Media and the Law: Freedom & Restraint. His television play, TKO, was produced by CBS. More than 3,000 of his news stories, features, reviews, and articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines.

Table of Contents

I: On the Path to Becoming a Freelance WriterII: On Defining a Newspaper Feature: Dog Bites Man - Dog DiesIII: Writing the Newspaper FeatureIV: Writing Investigative and Survey FeaturesV: Magazine Writing and the Reader Interest PlaneVI: Commentary: Editorials, Columns, Essays, ReviewsVII: The Art of Writing - The Echo of WordsVIII: The Art of Interviewing - The Only Wheel in TownIX: The Search for InformationX: Focusing, Outlining - Pulling It All TogetherXI: To Market, To Market - The Business Side of Freelancing, Part IXII: Home Again, Home Again - The Business Side of Freelancing, Part IIAppendices