Difference between news and features

In journalism, news and features are two distinct types of content that serve different purposes. Here's a breakdown of the main differences between them:

News:

  1. Timeliness: News is typically time-sensitive and focuses on current events, breaking news, or recent developments.
  2. Objective reporting: News articles aim to provide a factual, unbiased account of events, without expressing a personal opinion or perspective.
  3. Shorter length: News articles are usually shorter and more concise, as they need to convey the essential information quickly.
  4. Focus on facts: News stories focus on the who, what, when, where, and why of an event, providing the basic facts and details.
  5. No analysis or interpretation: News articles typically do not include analysis, interpretation, or opinion, leaving that to the reader's discretion.

Examples of news articles:

Features:

  1. In-depth reporting: Features are longer, more in-depth articles that provide a more detailed exploration of a topic, issue, or theme.
  2. Analysis and interpretation: Features often include analysis, interpretation, and opinion, providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
  3. More creative writing: Features may use more creative writing styles, such as storytelling, profiles, or essays, to engage the reader.
  4. Focus on human interest: Features often focus on the human side of a story, exploring the people, emotions, and experiences involved.
  5. Less time-sensitive: Features may not be as time-sensitive as news articles, as they can be published at a later date and still remain relevant.

Examples of feature articles:

In summary, news articles focus on providing timely, factual information about current events, while feature articles delve deeper into a topic, providing analysis, interpretation, and human interest stories.