Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The purpose of this second edition is the same as that of the original -- to provide a thorough look at the major forms of newspaper, magazine, and newsletter feature writing. It offers lists of tips, observations, and guidelines for effective writing as well as lists of sources and story ideas. A wide variety of perspectives and experiences of the author, other accomplished writers, editors, publishers, and professors is utilized to demonstrate the techniques presented.

This book emphasizes three primary aspects of feature writing: writing skills/basics; article types; and the collegiate and professional writing life. Each chapter contains excerpts and complete articles from some of the nation's leading newspapers, magazines, and newsletters as well as specialized publications that illustrate points made in the text. As a result, readers learn from the narrative, from the advice of professionals, and by example.

Significant changes have been made for this second edition including:

* an expanded third section featuring three chapters on freelance writing -- one discussing the quasi-professional environment at newspapers, magazines, and newsletters; another focusing on the writing and marketing aspects of free-lancing; and the last emphasizing key factors of the free-lance writer's professional life such as ethical, legal, and organizational matters;

* updated writing examples highlighting contemporary illustrations of quality work from the nation's most outstanding magazines and newspapers;

* a new in-depth focus on the growing need for quality newsletter feature writing -- a direct result of the expanding desktop publishing marketplace;

* contributions by the original group of professional editors and writers in the first edition updated and augmented with new material;

* new information on research tools for writers including additional discussion of on-line computer-based reference sources;

* new material relative to writing feature articles about the entertainment industry, in addition to reviewing and critiquing.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• About the Author (p. ix)
• Preface (p. xi)
• Acknowledgments (p. xiii)
• I The Basics (p. 1)
• 1 Feature Writing in the 21st Century (p. 3)
• 2 Finding a Good Feature Article Idea (p. 33)
• 3 Researching Feature Article Ideas (p. 60)
• 4 The Writing and Editing Process (p. 89)
• II Types Of Articles (p. 125)
• 5 Descriptive and Color Writing (p. 127)
• 6 The Human-interest Article (p. 148)
• 7 Profiles and Personality Sketches (p. 175)
• 8 Seasonal Features (p. 203)
• 9 Entertainment Features and Critical Writing (p. 225)
• 10 Aftermath, Follow-Up and Depth Series Articles (p. 271)
• 11 Travel Writing (p. 293)
• 12 Service Features (p. 329)
• 13 Personal Experience Articles (p. 355)
• 14 Writing Humor in Feature Articles (p. 377)
• 15 Writing Science and Technical Features (p. 408)
• III The Collegiate and Professional Writer (p. 447)
• 16 Writing Feature Articles on Campus (p. 449)
• 17 Freelance Writing and Marketing (p. 477)
• 18 Surviving in the Freelance Business (p. 511)
• Appendix A World Wide Web Resourcesfor Feature Writers (p. 534)
• Appendix B Guidelines for Contributors (p. 536)
• Appendix C Restaurant Review Letter of Agreement (p. 543)
• Appendix D Code of Ethics (p. 549)
• Appendix E Code of Ethicsand Fair Practices (p. 553)
• Appendix F Protecting Yourselfin the Magazine Recession (or Any Other Time!) (p. 559)
• References (p. 562)
• Index (p. 577|)