MDIA5006 – News Features
A2 ‘Critical Analysis’ Format Instructions

▪ Task: Select two award-winning feature stories from the List of Features for A2
provided on Moodle (see: ‘Reading List’)
▪ Word Count: 1,200 words (+/- 10%)
▪ Weighting: 35%
▪ Tone: Academic; APA referencing style
▪ Due Date: Friday, 11 April 2025 by 11:59pm (Week 8)
▪ Submit as Word File in Moodle
1. Introduction (100-150 words)
• Briefly introduce the two feature stories:
o Title, author, publication, date
o Main themes and topics
• Explain the purpose of your analysis (For example if your chosen feature stories
focus on human rights and social issues, then your purpose statement should read
something like this: “By analysing their writing style, structure, sources, news values,
and emotional impact in this essay, I aim to highlight how different journalistic
techniques shape readers’ understanding of complex social issues”.)
• Provide a thesis statement outlining the key aspects of comparison (For example if
your chosen feature stories focus on human rights and war, then your thesis
statement should read something like this: “This analysis will compare the feature
stories’ narrative techniques, use of evidence, and overall effectiveness in conveying
the human impact of war and displacement”.)
2. Summary of each feature story (200-250 words)
• Summarise feature story 1
• Summarise feature story 2
• Focus on the central arguments, structure, and key points in both feature stories.
3. Comparative analysis (650-700 words)
• Effectiveness as a feature:
o Why are the stories successful as features?
o How do the authors engage the audience? Formal/informal? Descriptive or
narrative-driven?
• Audience:
o Who are the target audience for both feature stories?
• Genre considerations:
o What genre do both your chosen feature stories fall into, and why were
these genres chosen to tell this story?
o How does the genre shape the storytelling?
• Structural analysis:
o How is the story structured? (e.g., chronological, anecdotal, thematic, etc.)
o What elements of the features’ structure contribute to or hinder its
effectiveness? Consider aspects such as lede/lead, transitions between
research and interview, and overall narrative flow.
• Stylistic elements:
o What stylistic choices stand out in the feature stories?
o How do these contribute to tone, engagement, and storytelling in both
feature stories?
• Use of interviews and sources:
o What sources are used? (e.g., interviews, data, personal experiences)
o How do interviews and sources shape both the feature stories?
o What role do they play in the stories’ credibility and emotional impact?
o How credible and well-researched is the reporting?
• Audio-visuals:
o How do images, videos, or infographics enhance the storytelling?
o Do they provide context, evoke emotions, or clarify key points?
o Analyse their effectiveness in complementing the narrative.
• Theoretical support:
o Your analysis must be supported by at least four (4) academic readings
from the course.
4. Conclusion (150-200 words)
• Summarise key insights from the comparison.
• Discuss what makes a strong feature article based on the analysis.
• Reflect on which article was more effective and why.


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