How To Write Special Feature Articles | Page 8

has been called "human curiosity,"
which Arnold Bennett says "counts among the highest social virtues (as
indifference counts among the basest defects), because it leads to the
disclosure of the causes of character and temperament and thereby to a
better understanding of the springs of human conduct." The importance
of curiosity and of a keen sense of wonder has been emphasized as
follows by Mr. John M. Siddall, editor of the American Magazine, who
directed his advice to college students interested in the opportunities
afforded by writing as a profession:
A journalist or writer must have consuming curiosity about other
human beings--the most intense interest in their doings and motives and
thoughts. It comes pretty near being the truth to say that a great

journalist is a super-gossip--not about trivial things but about important
things. Unless a man has a ceaseless desire to learn what is going on in
the heads of others, he won't be much of a journalist--for how can you
write about others unless you know about others?
In journalism men are needed who have a natural sense of wonder....
You must wonder at man's achievements, at man's stupidity, at his
honesty, crookedness, courage, cowardice--at everything that is
remarkable about him wherever and whenever it appears. If you haven't
this sense of wonder, you will never write a novel or become a great
reporter, because you simply won't see anything to write about. Men
will be doing amazing things under your very eyes--and you won't even
know it.
Ability to investigate a subject thoroughly, and to gather material
accurately, is absolutely necessary for any writer who aims to do
acceptable work. Careless, inaccurate writers are the bane of the
magazine editor's life. Whenever mistakes appear in an article, readers
are sure to write to the editor calling his attention to them. Moreover,
the discovery of incorrect statements impairs the confidence of readers
in the magazine. If there is reason to doubt the correctness of any data
in an article, the editor takes pains to check over the facts carefully
before publication. He is not inclined to accept work a second time
from a writer who has once proved unreliable.
To interpret correctly the essential significance of data is as important
as to record them accurately. Readers want to know the meaning of
facts and figures, and it is the writer's mission to bring out this meaning.
A sympathetic understanding of the persons who figure in his article is
essential, not only to portray them accurately, but to give his story the
necessary "human interest." To observe accurately, to feel keenly, and
to interpret sympathetically and correctly whatever he undertakes to
write about, should be a writer's constant aim.
Ability to write well enough to make the average person see as clearly,
feel as keenly, and understand as well as he does himself the persons
and things that he is portraying and explaining, is obviously the sine
qua non of success. Ease, fluency, and originality of diction, either

natural or acquired, the writer must possess if his work is to have
distinction.
TRAINING FOR FEATURE WRITING. The ideal preparation for a
writer of special articles would include a four-year college course, at
least a year's work as a newspaper reporter, and practical experience in
some other occupation or profession in which the writer intends to
specialize in his writing. Although not all persons who desire to do
special feature work will be able to prepare themselves in this way,
most of them can obtain some part of this preliminary training.
A college course, although not absolutely essential for success, is
generally recognized to be of great value as a preparation for writing.
College training aims to develop the student's ability to observe
accurately, to think logically, and to express his ideas clearly and
effectively--all of which is vital to good special feature writing. In
addition, such a course gives a student a knowledge of many subjects
that he will find useful for his articles. A liberal education furnishes a
background that is invaluable for all kinds of literary work. Universities
also offer excellent opportunities for specialization. Intensive study in
some one field of knowledge, such as agriculture, banking and finance,
home economics, public health, social service, government and politics,
or one of the physical sciences, makes it possible for a writer to
specialize in his articles. In choosing a department in which to do
special work in college, a student may be guided by his own tastes and
interests, or he may select some field in which there is considerable
demand for well trained writers. The man or woman with a specialty
has a superior equipment for writing.
With the development of courses in journalism in many colleges and
universities has come the opportunity to obtain instruction and practice,
not