BSJ Magazine and Feature Writing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What primarily distinguishes a feature story from a hard news story?
- Features are always shorter in length
- Features use a narrative style and are not time-sensitive (Correct answer)
- Features only cover entertainment topics
- Features rely solely on official government sources
Correct answer: Features use a narrative style and are not time-sensitive
Feature stories use narrative techniques and humanizing elements and are not bound by the immediacy of breaking news.
Question 2: What is the 'nut graf' in feature writing?
- The closing paragraph that summarizes the story
- The paragraph that establishes the story's relevance and main point (Correct answer)
- The opening anecdote that hooks readers
- A paragraph containing statistical data
Correct answer: The paragraph that establishes the story's relevance and main point
The nut graf explains why the story matters and what it is about, typically appearing early in the piece after the hook.
Question 3: Which narrative technique uses a compelling story about one individual to introduce a broader topic?
- Inverted pyramid
- Chronological structure
- Anecdotal lead (Correct answer)
- Summary lead
Correct answer: Anecdotal lead
An anecdotal lead draws readers in by focusing on a specific person or event before expanding to the larger issue.
Question 4: What does 'service journalism' refer to?
- Journalism covering military and public service workers
- Content that provides practical, actionable information to readers (Correct answer)
- Charitable journalism produced for nonprofit organizations
- News coverage of government social services
Correct answer: Content that provides practical, actionable information to readers
Service journalism provides useful information readers can apply to their own lives, such as how-to guides and consumer advice.
Question 5: In magazine writing, what is a 'sidebar'?
- A secondary story that complements the main feature (Correct answer)
- The table of contents listing at the front of the magazine
- An advertisement placed adjacent to editorial content
- The editor's note at the beginning of an issue
Correct answer: A secondary story that complements the main feature
A sidebar is a shorter, related story placed alongside the main feature to provide additional context or supplementary information.
Question 6: Which type of feature story focuses primarily on the life and personality of a specific individual?
- Trend story
- Profile (Correct answer)
- Backgrounder
- Roundup
Correct answer: Profile
A profile feature explores an individual's character, background, and significance through in-depth reporting and interviews.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a 'query letter' in magazine journalism?
- To request information from confidential sources
- To pitch a story idea to an editor (Correct answer)
- To submit a completed article for final review
- To request a correction to a previously published piece
Correct answer: To pitch a story idea to an editor
A query letter is a proposal sent to editors outlining a story idea, its angle, why it fits the publication, and the writer's qualifications.
BSJ Magazine and Feature Writing 1
What primarily distinguishes a feature story from a hard news story?