“The Norcross Experiment”
By Candice Dyer and Rebecca Burns, Atlanta Magazine
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/features/2012/12/16/norcross-high-school/page/4
This long feature uses interviews from students, teachers, parents, and the principal to give readers an in-depth profile on Norcross High School. The article touches on unique programs such as the proactive STARS program (freshman tutoring to help them to become sophomores) and the Parent Resource Center.
This feature uses a variety of in-depth interviews to give an accurate snapshot of the high school. The story is divided into subsections, where a different individual (or group) becomes the primary focus. Each sub-section illustrates a different aspect of the school, which include: STARS, the Parent Resource Center, the principal’s office, the student leadership team, the cafeteria, a classroom, and the school bus stop.
I found the story structure and feature components to be quite compelling. The story weaves through the school halls and into classrooms and cafeteria. My only critique is the overall “overly-praising” feel of the story. There are very few quotes from current students, and therefore the adult sources seem to gloss over what may be going on beneath the surface.
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“Suds for Drugs”
By Ben Paynter, The New York Times Magazine
http://nymag.com/news/features/tide-detergent-drugs-2013-1/
This article reflects on the popular clothing detergent, Tide, and how the product has become a form of currency for drugs. The feature is structured quite differently from other feature I’ve read, particularly in that it’s composed like a chapter from a book. Paragraphs are longer and there are fewer direct quotes. There is also very little character development. I would categorize this feature story as an issue piece, based on a national trend that should be called attention to.
The story structure loosely follows Sergeant Aubrey Thomson’s investigation of the new Tide shoplifting trend. The author introduces the story with the problem: why is Tide being stolen from supermarkets on a large-scale level? The feature moves from the problem into a background of the “luxurious” Tide brand (with details on Proctor and Gamble) and its loyal followers. Readers soon learn about the cost-benefit of Tide for those who want to buy drugs. The author also explains the point-of-view of shopkeepers, who are afraid to lock up such a commonly bought item. The last few paragraphs disregard the drug-Tide paradox completely and focus on Tide’s successful branding.
I like this article a lot, particularly because of the unique story angle. This author found a very interesting trend and investigated many aspects of it: the stores, Tide branding, loyalists, trading for drugs, etc. While the author used longer book-like paragraphs, the writing stayed tight and interesting throughout the whole story.
Fascinating – who knew? Note how the reporter establishes “scope” high in the story, telling readers this is happening in this place, and this other place, etc., to defend labeling the phenomenon as a trend.