Hard news vs feature news

In journalism, there are two main types of news stories: hard news and feature news. Here's a breakdown of each:

Hard News

Hard news, also known as straight news or wire service news, is a factual report that provides timely and objective information about a current event or issue. The primary goal of hard news is to inform readers about what has happened, who is involved, and what the implications are. Hard news stories typically:

1. Are timely and relevant to current events.
2. Focus on facts and objective reporting.
3. Are written in a straightforward, concise style.
4. May include quotes from sources, but are not primarily opinion-based.
5. Are often used to inform readers about breaking news, crises, or significant events.

Examples of hard news stories:

• A natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, and its aftermath.
• A major political scandal or controversy.
• A significant economic event, such as a stock market crash or a major company's bankruptcy.
• A breaking news story, such as a terrorist attack or a major accident.

Feature News

Feature news, also known as human-interest news or narrative journalism, is a more in-depth and interpretive report that explores a topic or issue in greater detail. Feature news stories often:

1. Focus on a specific theme, issue, or community.
2. Use storytelling techniques to engage readers and convey the human impact of an issue.
3. May include personal anecdotes, profiles, or interviews.
4. Are often written in a more descriptive and narrative style.
5. May include analysis, commentary, or opinion.

Examples of feature news stories:

• A profile of a local hero or community leader.
• A story about a social issue, such as poverty, healthcare, or education.
• A human-interest piece about a unique event or tradition.
• A feature on a specific industry, such as technology or entertainment.

Key differences

While both hard news and feature news are important, the main differences between them are:

• Purpose: Hard news aims to inform readers about current events, while feature news aims to engage readers and explore a topic in greater depth.
• Style: Hard news is typically written in a concise, objective style, while feature news is often written in a more narrative and descriptive style.
• Focus: Hard news focuses on facts and objective reporting, while feature news focuses on storytelling and human interest.

In summary, hard news provides timely and objective information about current events, while feature news explores topics and issues in greater depth, using storytelling techniques to engage readers.