JOUR 3716 - Feature Writing
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43777,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Richard Logan
Email: rplogan@ysu.edu
Course Description
3716. Feature Writing. Focus on writing stories that use facts, detail, structure and style to tell compelling non-fiction narratives. Students will pitch, report and write content including personality profiles, human interest stories and interviews. Prereq.: ENGL 1551 or ENGL 1551H. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Art and Craft of Feature Writing | Blundell, William E. | 978-0-452-26158-7 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Feature Writing Tentative Schedule of Topics, Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Syllabus and Blackboard documents on broad overview of feature writing. | Course overview. Introductions of instructor, students. Feature Writing Fundamentals and differences from news writing. |
Prepare any questions on syllabus and course content. HW assignment on quick analysis of feature story due for Sept. 1. |
| 8/31 | Blackboard documents on basics of strong writing in any mode. Blackboard docs on fundamental of AP style (still used in feature writing) for review. |
Review and discuss Horrors of Writing in any genre. Review and discuss AP style fundamentals to avoid any problems down the road. |
Feature HW due start of class 9/1. Horrors/AP HW assigned for 9/8 due date. |
| 9/7 | Review lengthy Blackboard post titled "Feature Writing Today." | Discuss idea generation for feature writing and steps toward producing a viable feature. | Horrors/AP HW due in class 9/8. Short content quiz from first three weeks at end of class 9/10. |
| 9/14 | Read Chapter 1 of "The Art and Craft of Feature Writing." | How and where to get feature ideas. Seeking out productive sources. Master skills of synthesis and extrapolation. Differentiate between juvenile vs. mature feature stories. |
Feature planning HW assignment in the form of a scavenger hunt. Due 9/23 in class. |
| 9/21 | Read Chapter 2 of "The Art and Craft of Feature Writing." | Review detailed guidance from Wall Street Journal on types of profile stories, emphases in them and how to build them effectively. | Assign MF1: Profile feature. You will develop plans, central theme, research/interview, draft, write revise a feature profile story. You may choose either the general feature or the microcosm (roundup) feature that will be discussed in class. This will be due Oct. 9. |
| 9/28 | Chapter 2, Continued. Review profile, interviewing skill sheets on our Blackboard site. |
More presentations and discussion on profile writing. Strategies for landing and conducting successful interview. |
Work aggressively on completing draft for MF1. Raise any questions you have in class or to me individually. Work to have rough draft done for in-class one-on-one workshops next week. |
| 10/5 | Workshop week. | One on one discussions with each student on rough drafts. Each should last about 10 minutes. | Bring your completed draft for review. Also bring any questions you have about the project. Final submission of MF1 through Blackboard no later than 11:59 p.m. Oct. 9. |
| 10/12 | Read Chapter Three in Blundell Textbook. | Review importance of time, scope, variety and movement in feature stories. Discuss dimensions of feature stories per Blundell. |
HW assignment on feature story critique due 10/20. Quiz on textbook material, Chs. 1-3 on 10/15. |
| 10/19 | Read Chapters 4, 5 of Blundell | Focus on planning and organizing feature story content well following the detailed principles and protocols of the Wall Street Journal formula. | Assign MF2: Campus or Community News Feature. Due Nov. 6. |
| 10/26 | Blundell Chapter 6. | Analyzing in-depth the key story elements of a feature with an emphasis on leads, transitions, numbers, people, quotes/paraphrases, effective conclusions. | Intensive work on your MF2 project. |
| 11/2 | Blundell, Chapter 7. | Importance of specificity and meanness in use of language in feature stories. Recognize and AVOID nothingburger empty nouns and verbs in feature writing. Be creative. |
THursday's class will be Workshop on MF2 but shorter five-minute sessions per student. Be prepared. MF2 final draft must be submitted to BB no later than 11:59 p.m. Nov. 6. |
| 11/9 | Blundell, Chapter 7 | More on wordcraft strategies. Review fundamentals of WSJ format. Discuss ideas for MF3. |
Assign MF3: Major investigative news feature. Due no later than 11:59 p.m. Dec. 7. |
| 11/16 | MF3 work days. | Assistance with any and all troubles organizing and drafting MF3. | Quiz on Blundell Chapter 4 to 7 in class 11/17. Available for Workshop Review for anyone ready. |
| 11/23 | MF3 WORKSHOP. | One-on-one conferences on MF3. (Some may have to take place outside of class time) No class Thursday for Thanksgiving. |
Aggressively complete draft for review by instructor. |
| 11/30 | STUDENT PRESENTATIONS | Each student will present a visual presentation to the class on the highlights of his or her MF3. Also discuss problems along the way and how you tackled them. | Be prepared to present by 12-1 though presentations will continue through 12/3 class. |
| 12/7 | FINAL EXAMINATION | Exam completion. | Exam will be posted to BlackBoard and will be due no later than 11:59 p.m. Dec. 10. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.