Feature Article Editing and Proofreading

While a news story contains objective information about an event, situation or a plan, a feature article may take that information further by including opinions or offer an interpretation.    A feature article may also be designed to instruct, entertain or add a further dimension to a news story or other keynote item.  (In this WordsRU resource document, we are talking about feature article editing and proofreading, not academic articles, which are intended for peer review and subsequent publication in related academic journals.)

 

WordsRU - Feature Article Editing and Proofreading

 

“ Ben Bull now lives in downtown Toronto after an interesting six years in the Hammer. He plans to stay there for a few years, complain a lot, and then move on somewhere else.”

— David Hillen
Columnist
Hamilton Spectator
Ontario, Canada


 

 

The key elements in a feature article are 1) the introduction or lead section, 2) the body of the piece, and 3) the summary or conclusion. In the opening to the article above, David Hillen gave an excellent example of an introduction or lead section to a feature article. It sets the stage for what is to follow in the body  of the article and whets the reader’s appetite for more.

 

WordsRU’s professional editors and proofreaders understand that the introduction is the most important part of your article; it must immediately engage your reader through whatever means are appropriate — a question, a quotation, description or dramatic headline. Our editors and proofreaders will quickly establish whether the body of your article rewards the promise of the introduction. They will also check that your summary or conclusion includes a succinct reminder of the key points and preferably closes with an effective and emotive statement. 

 

Our online editors and proofreaders will look after your feature article editing and proofreading requirements to ensure it is in the best shape for publication. They will strengthen and rework your sentences to benefit the flow and readability of your work and along with a grammar check, will ensure your work is free from spelling and typographical errors as well as checking word choice, syntax and paragraphing. Particular attention is paid to punctuation, which is a very important element of rhythm and readability.

 

Some points to keep in mind when preparing your feature article:

 

  • Focus on the human interest implications.

  • Be clear about the purpose of your article.

  • Write in the active voice.

  • Decide on the tense for your article and stay with it (present tense is usually best).

  • Accuracy is crucial – interpret but do not create / invent.

  • Remember your audience.

  • In-depth / in person interviews work better than phone, and give more detail.

  • Include direct quotes as well as anecdotal material.

  • Your article will usually appear in columns — keep paragraphs short.

  • Talk to more than one person to provide a more complete picture.

  • Do not rely on computer spell-checkers.

 

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WordsRU will ensure that your feature article is edited and proofread to attract the highest possible quality outcomes.

 

 


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