Jean Rafferty - The structure of a feature

Jean's background is predominantly in journalism and she described the necessary ingredients for a piece to be bought, from a freelance writer, by a newspaper or magazine which already employs staff feature writers. The newspaper industry is short of cash, why would they pay for something that their own people could produce?

On Tuesday the introductions to four features by Sam Woolaston, AA Gill, Suzanne Moore and Amelia Hill were examined to discover what captured the interest of the reader. What was their hook?
 
Members discussed possibly suitable topics from items in recent newspapers.
e.g. Italy's despair at its departure from the soccer world cup, Brexit, Social Housing in Kilbarchan or Day dreaming as a key to fame.

For each topic Jean was looking for a unique HOOK which would attract an editor. Apart from the internet, what research would you carry out, WHO would you speak to and which different aspects could be addressed?

PLAY with ideas, find NEW ANGLES, do not necessarily present ALL sides of the argument - have a RANT. Maybe take the opposite position to the one normally portrayed.

Jean condensed a normal day's lecture into a hard two hours. It is hoped that members absorbed sufficient material to be able to produce a 1200 Current Affairs Article for 28th November 2017.

More about Jean Rafferty at   http://www.jeanrafferty.com/default.html

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Members are reminded of the Saturday 18th November deadline for entries to the SAW 2018 Conference open competitions