I feel that the best examples of feature writing can be found in magazines. It's not just because you are free to splatter photographs of the subject all over, or even use funky layouts. It is mostly because you are free to speak of and describe the subject.
Coldplay has been on the cover of a lot of music-based magazines. So I thought that it would be interesting to compare feature articles between Rolling Stone Magazine and SPIN Magazine. And what I found out made me feel a little confused about style.
In Rolling Stone, Brian Hiatt had some description of the environment and of the musicians. But the general format of the interview was the question, followed by an unquoted paragraph of the band's response.
In SPIN Magazine, Michael Joseph Gross relied on description; while at the same time incorporating quotes from the band.
So now I am stuck!
Which style is the best style? Does it even matter? What grabs the reader? Are the straight answers from a question most important? Do people really care about full detailed descriptions?
I'm just hoping that I will get to learn soon enough...
1 comment:
Well Yes! What is cool is that you started analyzing the differences and realized there is no one rule about "best" or "coolest" Remember, (hear this in your head for the rest of your life since it applies to everything in life!) Remember how I said those "est" endings are to be avoided in everything? As a writer and reporter, you have to find what the RIGHT way is for you and your publication, not a subjective best! I love this post because I think is such a great moment, where i can (come close) to teaching!
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