When composing a feature article, there are always a multitude of ways that you can arrange your presentation. Depending on the subject and the type of piece, some of these approaches will communicate your subject better than others.
Of course, you can always go the other way around, choosing to compose the material without a set structure. As with anything put together haphazardly, your eventual result will probably be just as random.
There are three main structural approaches to presenting an article. Time-tested and applicable to many situations, each of these should prove a viable way to manage your writing.
Inverted pyramid. This is the usual structure employed on news pieces, going from the most important to the least important items. It needs to lead with a summary of the story, giving the user a brief overview of what the story is about.
Chronological order. This structure follows the sequence of events according to the story’s timeline. How-to features and event descriptions are best presented n this manner.
Essay format. Everyone’s favorite, this is the same structure that you do when you put together most varieties of writing assignments for school. The format is characterized by a standard layout, involving an introduction, a middle and a conclusion.
Some writing opportunities, of course, are best handled with a combination of the above structures. As such, don’t be afraid to use hybrid versions when the situation calls for them. Regardless of what format you go with, make sure to turn up the best piece you can with the help of a powerful writing software.
