GEOG 300: Globalization and Diversity

An article written to inform readers about recent events. The author reportsand attempts to deepen understanding of recent events—for example, by providing background information and other kinds of additional context.

Compared with news articles, feature articles are often more creative or exploratory and less focused on efficient delivery of essential information.

For example, while a news article may detail the most recent revelations about a politician’s extramarital affair, a feature article may offer in-depth reporting on a single aspect of the revelations, or the revelations may function as a “news peg” for the feature article’s more general exploration of infidelity.

Other types of news content that are generally categorized as “feature” writing include how-to-do-it articles (for example, how to shop for a new phone) and profiles (for example, an article about a movie actor starring in a recently-released film).

An opinion article by a staff columnist or guest columnist. (If a guest columnist, the writer’s credentials will almost always be identified.)

An evaluation of a book, movie, album, live performance, etc.

A website with information of various depth and quality, such as a .org or .edu website. This information will either be credited to a specific author or the organization as a whole.

An article published by an academic journal that communicates original research findings and/or analysis for other researchers.

Check out the AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

Fact-check claims by following up on original research or looking for information from professional fact-checkers like Snopes, Verify This, or Politifact.