The Bigger Picture: Elements of Feature Writing

by Ivor Shapiro

A combination manual and reader, this book offers a comprehensive overview of practical skills complemented by full-length examples of some of the best work in the genre, including pieces by Malcolm Gladwell, Stephanie Nolen, and John Vaillant. The chapters are written by a team of seasoned journalists and educators, and the readings have been carefully chosen to help illustrate a specific skill or approach. This book will inform and inspire feature writers at every level.

Genres: Writing, Journalism

324 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2008

Reviews

[Davina Busted · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection of long form articles and instructional essays on feature writing. Topics include pitching, researching, interviewing, and building structure. The articles that accompany each chapter are great reads (especially Malcolm Gladwell's "The Ketchup Conundrum" - at turns bittersweet, informative, and theatrical), and they help to illustrate the chapter's lessons. I've returned to The Bigger Picture many times to re-read and dissect articles, to reacquaint myself with aspects of structure, and to find comfort and solace in what happens to be one of my favourite pastimes: reading writers writing about writing (so meta). This is a real gem. Highly recommended.