MODULE 1 For Grade 8 SPJ JOURNALISM Romulo and Soliven

 

JOURNALISM Module 1: Feature Wring

8

Self-Instructional Self-Instructional Module Made Easy

Gelly E. Alkuino, PhD Irin Ir ineo eo L. San Sana a oN NHS HSMD MD 1

 

INTRODUCTION  This Self-Learning Modules in Journalism 1 for Special Program in  Journalism (SPJ) students is an interactive module designed to meet the need of  the learners in this most challenging time of pandemic brought about by CoViD 19. It is anchored anchored on realistic realistic approach in developing developing the basic learning competencies competencies in Journalism I.  The lesson is presented through a pre-test/review followed by capsulized theories and series of activities for application and evaluation congruent to the learning competencies thereby solidifying the journalistic skills of the students.  This module focuses on print media to equip the students with knowledge and polish their hidden skills in writing. The reading texts and exercises are culled from rom the camp campu us jo jour urna nali lism sm book ooks and and work workbo boo oks of this this aut author hor in a contextualized setting by highlighting localization and indigenization. in digenization. With this module, the author hopes that the leaners would become proficient language learners and eventually share their journalistic skills to become catalysts of change in our society.  To the teacher, you are expected to facilitate the orientation on how to use this Though the to learners are allowed manage You theiralso ownexpected learningtoatassist their own module. pace, you also need keep track of theirto progress. them and entertained their queries relevant to the different tasks included in this module.  To the learner, this module is designed to provide you with the needed theories and activities aligned to specific competencies in every important aspect of print media in a self-directive way at your own pace. You are requested, however, to follow the following reminders in using this module: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Do not write anything anything on any any part part of this this module. module. Provide Provide your your own paper in answering answering the exerci exercises. ses. Read the instruc instruction tion carefull carefully y before before doing each each activity. activity. Observ Observe e honesty honesty in in doing doing each each task. task.

5. Retu Return rn this this modu module le to yo your ur teac teache herr on spec specif ifie ied d time time of re retr trie ieva vall and and distribution of another set of module. 6. Shou Should ld yo you u fi find nd so some me di diff ffic icul ulti ties es in an answ swer erin ing g so some me ac acti tivi viti ties es of this this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher through text or messenger. Happy learning everyone.

GELLY E. ALKUINO, PHD

2

 

What I NEED TO KNOW?  In this module, you will be able to 1. Explain Explain the qualiti qualities es and purpose purpose of feature feature stories stories 2. Differentia Differentiate te various various kinds of feature feature stories stories 3. Write illustr illustrative ative examples examples of a good good novelty novelty lead for featur feature e articles articles

WHAT I KNOW?  ACTIVITY I.A. Direction: Match Column B with Column A and write the corresponding letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.   COLUMN A 1. Novelty lead 2. Graphic description 3. Dramatic quality 4. Verbose 5. Title  

COLUMN B a. that quality of a feature story that stirs one’s emotion b. when you show the subject using your senses c. overuse of words to describe the topic or subject d. refers to the first and second paragraph e. part of the feature story that must be striking to the reader

ACTIVIT ACTI VITY Y I.B. I.B. Dire Direct ctio ion: n: Iden Identi tify fy the the ki kind nd of nove novelt lty y le lead ad used used in the the following. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper. 1. Wanted Wanted Perfec Perfectt Presid President ent !      

This was the thought that came into my mind as I heard President Rodrigo Duterte lambasted the priests and nuns of the Catholic church. 2.

Who says that fun and learning learning cannot go together? together?

 

  CD      

If you are one of them, think again. Come, enjoy and learn through the Improving English Language Teaching and Learning in Mindanao (IELTLM) program, program, where the class mimics what the narrator narrator says overheard overheard from the player rather than what the narrator says overheard from the CD player rather than from their teacher. 3.

“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains   You raise me up to walk in stormy seas   I am strong when I am in your shoulder   You raise me up to more than I can be.”    There goes the sing that echoes a strident voice from the deepest part of  me. It is an inner voice that pulls a tug of questions and conclusion from my  deepest, once wailing soul.

  4.

Freedo Freedom m came with with a price price for this this young young man. man.   Chito Chito Rodrig Rod riguez uez, , 18, was rep orted ed missin misout sing goffou four r day days s ago and was allegedly seen being being escorted by areport policeman Lucena City Jail. 3

 

5.

“I don’t care if I burn in hell for as long as the people people I serve live in   paradise.”

   

President-Elect Rodrigo R. Duterte said in one of his campaign materials during the recently concluded Presidential Election 2016.

WHAT I NEED TO LEARN?  Read the following topics below and take note of the most important data to help you do the activities relevant to this lesson.

Feature Writing  Definition of Feature Story  Gene Gilmore in his book, Inside High School Journalism , states that the best way to describe a feature story is to say that it is a news story written like a piece of fiction. For like a short story writer, a feature w writer, riter, often use literary devices like color, wit, humor, dialogue, anecdote and emotive words to capture human interest. It may also instruct, inform and advise, but its main objective is to entertain. Qualities ofls a wit Feature 1. It dea deals w ith h any Article to topi pic. c. 2. It usually usually entertains entertains more more often than than it informs, informs, instructs instructs or advise. advise. 3. It may be long long or short short as long long as it covers covers the subject subject adequate adequately ly and keep keep it interesting to the readers. 4. It may be be light or serious, serious, dependi depending ng on its its purpose purpose.. 5. It may may or or may may n not ot be time timely. ly. 6. It begi begins ns with with a novelt novelty y lead. lead. 7. It is written written in in any form form or style, but well-org well-organized. anized. 8. It is writ written ten in in ascend ascending ing inte interes rest. t. 9. It is based on facts. facts. Though Though sometimes, sometimes, the writer writer uses uses his imaginatio imagination n to play up the details, it is still anchored on facts. 10.It can be garnished with adjective, figures of speech, dialogue, local color and idiomatic expressions. 11.It can be written in the first, second or third person. Kinds of Feature 1. Human interest interest feature feature.. A story that that somehow somehow involves involves peopl people e and their troubles, failures and successes. It may evolve in some minor happenings that deserve attention only because of some dramatic, humorous, tragic, odd, or sentimental angle that appeal to the emotion. The readers can relate to it as if, somehow, it happened to them, too. 2. Personality Personality feature feature.. It offers offers a semi-biographi semi-biographical cal account account of a newsworthy newsworthy person. The information usually comes from interview with successful people or celebrity. Feature writers should prepare questions that will shed light on the individual life. 3. Historical Historical feature. feature. It It narrates narrates the evolution evolution of somethi something ng like name name of a particular place, origin of a celebration and others. 4. Analytical Analytical feature. feature. It dissects dissects proble problem, m, such as school school vandalism vandalism or student student cheating and describe how some people would try to solve the difficulty.

4

 

5. Seasonal Seasonal feature. feature. It present presents s new angles angles on an old old angle in in an old ttheme heme with with some fresh insights of information. 6. Travelogue. Travelogue. It It describes describes a place place and the kind kind of people people the the writer writer has met during his travel. 7. Entertainmen Entertainmentt feature. feature. A story story with wit and and humor and and aims to entertain entertain the the readers not only of the unusual topic, but also in the style of writing and the kind of language used. It also includes crossword puzzle, maze, and others. 8. News feature. feature. It takes takes its material material from from a recent event. event. Unlike Unlike the news st story, ory, its its focus is less in the information, but on the deeper meaning of the incident. It does not supplant the news, but add variety and contrast and to play up the substance of the news. 9. Informative Informative feature. feature. It It emphasizes emphasizes the giving giving of informati information on with the the element of human interest. It is usually taken from interview or from research materials, such as drug problems, street children, victims of calamities and other current issues. It may also deals with scientific facts presented in non-technical language, or some interesting useful facts in other areas. 10.Interpretative feature. It instructs, informs or makes clear to the reader the background significance of social, economic, political and other problems of everyday life. 11.“How-to” feature. It aims to explain a process or how a certain product or  service is made or rendered. 12.Personal experience feature. It deals any unusual experience, usually written in   first person. 13. Unusual feature. It deals with paranormal beings like witch, ghost and the like. 14. Interview feature. It is in the form of question and answer with a little introduction. 15. Science feature. It features anything related to science and technology. 16. Sports feature. Any feature article related to sports. Sources of Feature Articles 1. Expe Experrie ienc nce e 2. Obse Obserrvati vation on 3. Reading materials materials like books, books, newspap newspapers, ers, magazines magazines and and others others 4. Special events like anniversaries anniversaries and holidays holidays 5. Adve Advert rtis isem emen ents ts 6. Speeche Speeches s and comment commentari aries es 7. Movies 8. Casu Casual al con conver versat satio ion n 9. Travel 10.Tourist spots 11.Fads 12.Interview 13.Imagination Steps in Writing Feature Articles 1. Choose Choose topic topic whic which h you know know very very well. well. 2. Limit your subject subject to just one specific specific area. area. 3. Think of a more more interesti interesting ng and fresh angle of of the ttopic. opic. 4. Make Make a ten tenta tati tive ve tit title le.. 5. Make Make an outl outlin ine. e. 6. Use approp appropriate riate and striking striking novelty novelty lead. lead. 7. You can garnish garnish your your article article with with anecdote, anecdote, dialogu dialogue e and loc local al color. color.

5

 

8. Use graphic graphic descriptio description. n. Don’t just just tell, tell, show it to the the reader throug through h the use of senses. 9. Place Place direct direct quota quotatio tion n in the begin beginning ning.. 10. Use simple words and shorter paragraphs. 11. Avoid being wordy. 12. Make sure the feature article contains dramatic quality. 13. Give examples to make your article convincing or easy to understand. 14. Tie up ending with the opening paragraph. 15. Make a striking title. Structure of Feature Article Feature story follows the pyramid structure. The details of the story are arranged according to the ascending order of importance, from the least important to the most important ones. It begins with a novelty lead.  The novelty lead has two objectives: 1. To draw draw the the read reader er into into the the story  story  2. To set set the stage stage for for the mate materia riall to follo follow w Some leads are designed to startle and shock the reader, others to arouse curiosity, others to stir his imagination and still others to inform the reader about the nature of the story. Kinds of Novelty Lead 1. Narrative lead. lead. It draws the reader into the story by allowing him to relate himself with the character of the story. Example: In the old days, before the coming of the earth satellite, my college professor told me, weather forecasting was done by intrepid pilots, who flew their one-  engine small planes into the eyes of the approaching storm to measure wind direction and velocity. Once inside the eye of the typhoon, however, the pilot experienced an eerie calm while the winds swirled outside. 2. Descriptive lead. lead. It illustrates a mental picture of the subject to the reader.  This is effective in writing a personality sketch. Example:  The raging rain fell outside of our dilapidated house. For the past 14 hours nothing could be heard other than raindrops. No bodyfrom the five-member family  uttered a single word, but deep within, they were waging against the nightmarish   fear that crept into their senses, for it was the same ambience when a lethal flood  besieged their town, killing hundreds of people two years ago. lead. This statement uttered by well-known speaker or   3. Quotation lead. This celebrity in the community. Example: “You stole the presidency, not only once but twice.”  Shouted Susan Roces, widow of Fernado Poe Jr., during a gathering of the opposition, denouncing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s alleged vote-rigging during the 2004 election. 4.Question 4.Question lead. lead. A thought-provoking question to capture the interest of the reader and lead them to find the answer provided by the succeeding details of the article. Example: When was the last time I told my father I loved him? 

6

 

 This question had brought my memories back into the the past with my father, who never ceased on loving me even at the time when I was no longer worth loving for. He was there, always willing to give even if he had nothing to give. He was always there to ease the pain of my bad falls and to carry my cross when I was weary and lost. He had given me too much of everything. 5.Teaser. A device to deceive the reader in a jesting manner to arouse his 5.Teaser. A curiosity and gently lead him into the story. It is generally short, crisp and witty. Riddles are often used and they do not give the readers any clue on the nature of the story. They are mostly suggestive and humorous. Example: What comes first, the hen or the egg? Well, egg could not be made possible without the hen. But where does the hen come from?  6.Punch 6.Punch lead. lead. It is short, striking one-sentence lead Example: A man, who attempted thrice to die by hanging, finally died of cardiac arrest. 7. Astonisher. Astonisher. It uses an exclamatory sentence. Example: Olympic performance!   Twelve SPED pupils were among the 500 yellow, blue, red, brown and black belters who competed in the National Poomse Competition at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, July 23, 2007. 8. One word lead. lead. It uses a very significant word to capture the interest of the reader. Example: BANG!  Sprinters from the different divisions of Region XII zoomed like bullets to the finishing line during the 100-meter dash of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet, held at Antonio C. Acharon Sports and Development Center, Calumpang, General Santos City, April 1-5. 9.Parody 9.Parody lead. lead. It consists of a parody of a well-known quotation, song, poem, book or movie film title. Example: “Morn mri as mri as da win mru  As mri as da ngras ngru  Morn mri to faru ngyur ngrem”   These were the lines of the song I heard from a very beautiful beautiful lady, who almost broke not only my eardrums, but my love struck heart. 10.Background 10. Background lead. It lead. It describes an event in which the background overshadows the individuals who participate in it; often use for stories about carnivals, festivals, dances and others. Example: It was like the school was put in a time machine and was led back to the  past, when teachers and students who participated in the culmination program of  the Buwan ng Wika, gathered in front of the four-storey building garbed in old Filipiniana costumes. 11.Freak 11. Freak lead. This lead. This kind of unique lead uses typographical effects to enhance appeal. Example:   Kidney for Sale 

7

 

Ruben Tocal, 28, resident of Taguig and a father of seven children said  yesterday that he was forced to sell his kidney to provide his family a bright future. 12.Contrast 12. Contrast lead. lead. It is used to point up opposites and extremes. Example: In the 1960’s, a 10 centavo coin was already a treasure. Today, nobody cares  to give it a second glance on the ground. 13.Staccato 13. Staccato lead. lead. This usually consists of a series of words or phrases, punctuated by periods, commas or dashes. Example: Terrorrism. Insurgency. Corruption. Too much political bickering. And uncontrolled oil price hike. These are but few of the maladies that crippled our economy.

What Is It?  Activity 2. Discuss or differentiate the following. 1. When can you you say that that an article article is a feature feature story story? ? Discuss Discuss its qualities. qualities. 2. More than than the giving giving of facts, what what o you think think is the primary primary purpose purpose of a feature story? 3. How does each each of the following following kinds kinds of feature feature differ differ from from each othe other. r. Give its description by using the chart below.

   

Kinds of Feature Story 1. Huma Human n Int Inter eres estt 2. Pers Person onal alit ity y 3. Hist Histor oric ical al 4. Anal Analy yti tica call 5. Sea eas sonal nal 6. Ente Entert rtai ainm nmen entt 7. Trav Travel elog ogue ue 8. News News fe feat atur ure e 9. Info Inforrmat mativ ive e 10.Interpretative 11.“How to” Feature 12.Personal Experience

     

13.Unusual 14.Interview 15.Science 16.Sports

Description

. Activity 3. Identify to which does each example of novelty lead belongs and write the letter of your answer on your answer sheet. a. Narrative b. Descriptive c. Quotation d. One word e. Question f Punch g Astonisher h. Freak i. Parody j. Background k. Contrast l. Teaser m.Staccato 1. “Now “Now tha thatt you you’r ’re e gone gone I wish you never had to go Now pain that Iyou’re gone me  The feel inside 8

 

 Just goes on and on Now I know, I need you And I never should have let you go.” Elaine Duran rendition of this song, Now That You’re Gone , had brought back the pain that I felt back then when I told you to go, though my heart told me to let you stay. 2.

I saw your face with a captivating captivating smile, but your eyes reflected reflected that unfathomable fear you felt inside. You tried hard to control your hand from trembling as you grasped my right hand attached to a hung bottled Dextrose. No word, only a light press on my palm asking me to fight for my life for you and for our children as a sent off message before I was brought to the operating room.

3.

It was a gloomy gloomy afternoon. afternoon. I sat on a big stone along the shore overlooking the sea. I saw a huge ship sailing the deep blue water to anchor at the nearby wharf. I remember you and your promise 10 years ago that  you would be coming back. I felt my tears tears trekking down from my eyes to my  face until I tasted them from my lips. They tasted less bitter than what I felt inside my heart.

4.

CoViD.   It is just a word but it changes the face of the earth and the lives of billions of people. It creates fear, crushes economy and brings us to a new normal.

5.

The bahaykubo of our ancestors made their lives simple and comfortable with cool cogon or nipa  roof  roof and bamboo floor and wall. With the invasion of the foreign cultures, Filipinos now copied tomb-like cemented house and equipped it with costly electric fans and air-conditioning unit to create a hole in their pockets.

6.

A few days after the last CoViD patient patient had recovered, recovered, Chinese Chinese students students trooped to their schools like Ninjas of the old Japanese era, garbed with personal protection equipment, face mask and face shield.

7.

Want Wanted ed Perf Perfect ect Fath Father er!!   If he has only the courage to place a tarpaulin along the street to drum beat what he feels about his irresponsible father, he should have done so.

8.

He shoots shoots a woman a picture, picture, but she shoots shoots him dead, too.  

9.

10.

Son of illiterate illiterate and poor parents. parents. Hearing Hearing impair impaired. ed. Stammers Stammers when he talks. He has lot of qualities to fail than to excel. When can we say that we are afflicted with CoViD 19?   This question lingered in my mind as I felt the pain in my chest and could hardly breathe. I experienced hard cough and my body temperature rose to 37.9 degree Celsius.

9

 

11.

Unbelievably inspiring!   He has all the qualities to fail, but he always proves proves to the whole world that there is more to his hearing impairment than meets the eye, for he had already made a significant difference in his life and in the lives of his students.

12.

Water is everywhere but not a drop to drink.   This happened when GenSanville Subdivision of Barangay Bula was sieged by a knee-deep flood and electricity brown out that made pipes ran out of drinking water.

13.

“We may have inadequate school facilities and attended classes under uncomfortable and dilapidated classrooms, but we have the best teachers and that matter most.”   This was the statement of Engr. Michelle Servinas, ranked second in the Licensure Examination for Agricultural Engineer, as she inspired the academic achievers of her alma mater during their recognition day at the school ground yesterday.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED?  Activity 4. Complete Activity Complete the following following sentence sentence frag fragments ments.. Kindly use a separate sheet of paper for your answer. 1. 2. 3. 4.

I learned that that the qualities qualities of a feature feature article article include include the followi following ng . . . The purp purpose ose of of a featur feature e story story is to to … To discuss discuss the difference difference of each each kind of feature feature story story I should should begin fr from om … To illustr illustrate ate each each kind kind of of novelty novelty lead, I should should . . .

WHAT CAN I DO?  Activity 5. In not less than four paragraphs, summarize the things that you learned from the different topics of this lesson. Kindly lesson. Kindly use a separate sheet of  paper for this activity.

ASSESSMENT  Activity 6.A. Discuss the following Activity following in your own words. words. Kindly use a separate sheet of paper for this activity. 1. When can you you say that that an article article is a feature feature story story? ? Discuss Discuss its qualities. qualities. 2. What is is the main purpo purpose se of a feature feature story? story? 3. How does each each kind of feature feature story story from from each other. other. Cite possible possible topic topic for each kind.

10

 

Activity 6.B. Illustrate by giving your own example of each of the following kinds of  novelty lead. Kindly use a separate sheet of paper for this activity. 1.Narrative 2..Descriptive 3. Quotation 4. One word 5. Question 6. 7. Punch Astonisher 8. Freak 9. Parody  10. Background 11. Contrast 12.Teaser 13.Staccato

ANSWER KEY  Activity I.A

Activity 7

1. d 2. b 3. a 4. c 5. e Activity I.B

1. i 2. a 3. b 4. d 5.k 6.j

   

7.h 8.f   9.m 10.e 11.g 12.l 13.c

1. Freak lead 2. Question lead 3. Parody lead 4. Punch lead 5. Quotation lea

Reference: Alkuin Alk uino, o, G. E.(207 E.(207). ). Campus Journalism in the New Generation . General Santos City: RFM (Motong) Printing Press

11

 

Acknowledgment: Allan T, Flores, Cover Art Designer

12