The Department of Education’s Special Program in Journalism for Grade 5 learners provides a structured approach to understanding the fundamental differences between straight news and news features. This Module 4, titled Differentiating Straight News from a News Feature, serves as a guide for young journalists to recognize how information is packaged based on the intent of the writer and the needs of the reader. The material is part of an Alternative Delivery Mode designed to help students continue their studies at home with the assistance of facilitators or parents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Defining the core objectives and competencies
The module is built around a specific competency coded as SPJ5New-lle-11, which requires students to differentiate straight news from news feature stories. To achieve this, the curriculum identifies three primary learning outcomes:
- The identification of specific elements belonging to straight news and news feature stories
- The ability to distinguish between the two types based on their characteristics
- The application of these elements in writing a news feature or a straight news story
These goals ensure that student journalists do not just memorize definitions but learn how to apply different writing styles to the same sets of facts. This is demonstrated later in the module through two articles covering the same subject matter—the impact of El Niño on Philippine agriculture—but using completely different journalistic approaches.
Core characteristics of straight news
Straight news is described in the module using the analogy of a “speedy train” that rushes through essential information. Its primary purpose is to deliver facts as concisely and objectively as possible. It is designed for readers who are in a hurry and need immediate answers to the essential questions of a story: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Key attributes of straight news include:
- Urgency and practicality in its delivery of information
- A serious tone that stays to the point
- A focus on big events such as elections, natural disasters, or significant policy changes
- Reliance on official sources and quotes from key figures involved in the event
- A shorter length compared to feature stories, prioritizing clarity and brevity
The nature of news features
In contrast to the rapid pace of straight news, the module likens reading a news feature to having a “cozy chat” with a friend. In this format, the writer takes the time to explore a story more deeply, adding details and personal perspectives that might not be found in a basic report. News features aim to engage readers both emotionally and intellectually by providing context and human interest.
Characteristics of news features highlighted in the module include:
- The inclusion of colorful details, feelings, and sometimes humor
- An emphasis on making the story interesting and entertaining rather than just urgent
- Coverage of topics like the adventures of a local hero or the history of a mysterious place
- A wider range of sources, including personal stories, expert opinions, and background research
- A longer and more detailed format that allows for thorough exploration of the subject
Comparing elements of news delivery
The module provides a detailed comparison of seven elements that distinguish these two types of journalistic writing. This structured comparison helps students understand how the same event can be transformed by changing the writing style.
| Element | Straight News | News Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Deliver facts concisely and objectively | Provide deeper insights, human interest, and context |
| Structure | Inverted pyramid (most important info first) | Narrative structure (storytelling techniques) |
| Tone and Style | Neutral and objective, without bias | Creative and engaging, using descriptive language |
| Depth of Coverage | Basic overview of essential facts | Deeper exploration of angles and background |
| Audience Engagement | Readers seeking quick information | Readers seeking context and emotional connection |
| Use of Sources | Official sources and key figures | Personal stories, experts, and research |
| Length | Shorter and more to the point | Longer and more detailed |
Structural differences in news writing
The structure of a story determines how the reader consumes the information. Straight news follows the inverted pyramid structure, which places the most critical information at the very beginning of the article. Subsequent details follow in descending order of importance. This allows a reader to grasp the main point of the story even if they only read the first few sentences.
News features, however, often employ a narrative structure. This allows for storytelling techniques such as anecdotes, interviews, and descriptive scenes. Unlike the inverted pyramid, a news feature might have a lead designed specifically to draw the reader in, rather than just delivering the hard facts. This structure gives the writer the flexibility to explore different angles and provide a richer understanding of the issue at hand.
Case study analysis: El Niño and agriculture
The module presents two articles that provide a practical application of these concepts. Both articles discuss the effects of the El Niño climate pattern on Philippine agriculture in 2024, yet their execution differs significantly.
Article 1: The straight news approach
Article 1, titled “El Niño feared stifling PH agri output in 2024,” focuses on data and official projections. It begins with a clear dateline (MANILA, Philippines) and immediately presents the core issue: the prolonged dry spell may pull down agriculture production despite improved output in late 2023. It cites Michael Ricafort, a chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., as a primary source. The article provides specific numbers, such as:
- The agriculture sector improved by 0.7 percent in the final quarter of 2023
- The overall value of agriculture reached P493.73 billion, up from P490.06 billion
- Poultry production expanded by 7.8 percent to P67.65 billion
- Rice import volumes could be reduced to 3.5 MMT from 3.8 MMT
- The fisheries subsector contracted by 5.2 percent to P63.97 billion
The writing is direct, using headers like “Rice production” to organize the technical data and attribution like “the PSA said” or “Ricafort said in a text message.”
Article 2: The news feature approach
Article 2, titled “The Tale of Philippine Agriculture Amidst El Niño’s Fury,” uses the same statistics but frames them within a narrative. It opens with descriptive imagery of “emerald rice paddies” and “vibrant hues of vegetable fields.” Instead of leading with an economist’s text message, it introduces a human element: Juanito Cruz, a farmer described as a “weathered soul whose calloused hands bear the scars of a lifetime spent toiling in the fields.”
While this article eventually includes the same 0.7 percent uptick and the 7.8 percent poultry expansion, it uses these facts to support a story of “resilience and uncertainty.” It describes the poultry success as a “beacon of success” and uses sensory details like the “clucking of chickens and the crowing of roosters” to contrast with the “foreboding clouds.” This approach aims to make the reader feel the “fragility of life” and the “enduring spirit of resilience” in the Filipino soul.
Practical application for student journalists
To reinforce these concepts, the module requires students to classify various topics. This exercise helps students recognize which format is appropriate for different types of information. For instance, the module identifies the following as straight news topics:
- Local election result announcements
- Updates on natural disasters or severe weather
- School closures due to emergencies
- The opening of a new school or public market
- Traffic accidents or road closures
Conversely, the following topics are better suited for news feature stories:
- The history and significance of a community landmark
- Human-interest stories about families overcoming adversity
- In-depth explorations of cultural festivals
- Profiles of remarkable community members or volunteers
- Reports on the long-term effects of pollution on a local waterway
Assessment and student development
The assessment portion of the module tests the student’s ability to recall these distinctions. For example, students must identify that the primary purpose of straight news is to deliver facts concisely, whereas the feature aims to provide deeper insight and context. The assessment also reinforces that straight news relies on official sources and key figures, while features incorporate a wider range of sources for a more nuanced understanding.
In the final “Additional Activity,” students are tasked with writing their own story on a topic of their choice. They can select from topics such as youth environmental activism, the school’s community garden initiative, or the entrepreneurial potential of Tuguegaraoeños. This step moves the student from passive identification to active creation, ensuring they can employ the neutral, objective tone of a straight news report or the creative, engaging style of a feature.
Insight on pedagogical utility
This module demonstrates that journalism education at the Grade 5 level is not just about writing but about information management. By teaching students to distinguish between a basic overview and an in-depth analysis, the curriculum helps them understand how to prioritize information for different audiences. The use of identical data sets across two different writing styles serves as a practical lesson in how the presentation of facts can change the reader’s perception and engagement without compromising the truth of the information.
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