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  •   "I recently completed the 'Writing great features' course online. I found the course very in...
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  •   "Thanks for the fabulous course! Attached is my feature for your first round of approvals an...
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Feature writing

This online feature writing training course from ContentETC will give you all the hints, tips and steps to writing a better feature article. 

Why should someone invest their precious time and read your feature?  The challenge for any writer today is getting people to read their work and keep them reading.  In a feature article you usually have more time and space to develop an idea, or series of ideas, and look at a subject in-depth.  You have more room for tone and colour, so your readers feel they are really there with you.  All this makes it an exciting, but challenging piece of work to create. 

Good feature stories are the result of careful planning and a proven structure.  Our interactive feature writing e-learning course helps you break down the whole process of writing great features and gives you the chance to try out lots of different techniques. 

quote"Thanks for the fabulous course!  Attached is my feature for your first round of approvals and amends."

Suitable for:

Anyone new to feature writing, including writers, junior features editors, subs, production editors, PR executives and staff on internal publications.  The ideal foundation to our Advanced feature writing course.

You will learn:
  • How to write each of the 8 main feature styles
  • What your reader really wants to read
  • How to develop ideas and themes and maintain reader interest
  • Proven techniques for planning your feature
  • How to use language, tone and style to best effect
  • How to make your copy flow
  • How to craft successful introductions
  • The importance of linking phrases and a climactic resolution
  • Time-saving tips used by the professionals
...and much more.
 
 What is a feature and the types you might write
 Profile
 Trends
 Explanatory
 Advice
 Event
 Review
 Real life
 Column
 Thinking about your reader
 Who are they and what do they want from your publication
 Enticing them to read
 Keeping them reading
 Choosing the best format for your information
 Before you write
 Getting the big idea
 Finding the angle
 Defining the brief
 How to structure a feature
 Hook
 Body
 End
 
 Choosing the best intro
 The top 7 options
 Thinking links
 Making your points logically
 Pulling the reader from point to point
 Avoiding mechanical words and phrases
 Think before you write
 Plan for success
 How to plan: a step-by-step guide
 Language
 Using quotes for maximum effect
 Giving your story pace
 Making words work for you
 Matching language to your audience
 Keeping sentences simple
 Creating pace
 Keeping it active
 Ending with a flourish
 Your top ending options
.

Exercises and quizzes

 To check your understanding of the theory, during the e-learning course you will be quizzed on profiling your reader; planning; writing great intros and creating pace in your features.
.

Top tips and checklists

 Handy tips and checklists at key stages of the course.  These cover vital topics including: the different types of features and formats; planning; intros; linking; quotes; creating pace and ending with a fanfare.
.Feedback from the trainer
 

Our expert trainers are here to provide you with invaluable one-to-one feedback on your progress.  Email your work and the trainer will supply you with individual guidance, comments and practical suggestions.  Then, once you've improved your work, the trainer will appraise your revised content and provide a second set of constructive comments.  This unique feedback really brings your e-learning to life and makes sure you have truly grasped - and applied - all of the key principles.

  

Timing: You can dip in and out of this e-learning course as often as you like.  It should take you approximately 1.5-2 hours in total to complete. You can go at your own pace and go back at any time, to any part of the course.

If you have any queries, we’d be delighted to help, just email us.

Please note that this e-learning course is intended for speakers of English.

Price

Feature writing is £99 + VAT per user* which gives you full unlimited access to the course for one month.

If you want to add personal one-to-one trainer feedback to the course, the price is £150 + VAT.

If you feel you need feedback at a later stage, you can request it then.

*Discounted rates for multiple users are available.  The discount applies to this course or a mix of e-learning courses.

Interested?

You can:

. Buy this e-learning course now

 . Try e-learning before you buy

. Meet the trainer, Margaret Coffey 

. Email us to buy this e-learning course or discuss bringing it into your company for multiple users

. Find out more information on tailored face-to-face training

About us

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We provide training for print or digital content, tailored to our clients' specific needs. Delivered through face-to-face training or via e-learning, or a combination of the two. This gives you a totally flexible approach to your learning and development, both in content and delivery.

Click through to etc-online.co.uk for more detailed information on who we are and how we work; call us on 01428 644123 or download our brochureRead more...

Training Consultants

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Learn direct from the best in the industry.  Our tutors, trainers and writing specialists are all experts in their field, and work with Europe's leading media owners, publishers and content providers to improve skills, efficiency and creativity.  With e-learning you gain their invaluable insight and the very latest techniques at a fraction of the cost of traditional training programmes.  Read more...

Contact us

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Please let us know if you want to learn more about e-learning or tailored training for print media and digital content, PR and corporate communications.

You can call us on 01428 644123, or email us to discuss your needs in more detail.

Affiliates & partners

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ETC is pleased to work with and recommend a growing number of carefully selected partners.  Meet our partners here...

Creating content

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We have a large pool of expert talent available to create high quality content for your print or digital projects.

Our award-winning writers can help you create web content, online communication or persuasive marketing copy.  Read more...