Answers to the Questions

1. I think the effective way to use narrative and dialogue in feature stories is by doing three things. First, you have to know what it is that makes the story special. What scene in particular strikes out at you, and is the one you want to recreate? Knowing what would be a powerful impact on readers is the first step toward recreating the scene. Second, what words were used at that time that can add color or hook your reader? What really struck you as wow - when you heard someone say something? What made you raise your eyebrows? Third, I think the point of the story or scene has to be valid, and something that audiences can identify and relate to. Connection is the key element here, and picking a particular aspect of the whole story is what you need to expound on.

2. To include dialogue and narrative, we need a main point or idea, a plot, conflict, and characters. We need a central idea that makes sense to the reader, otherwise, they won't read it or find it interesting. With narrative, you are telling a story from a defined point of view, that relies on personal experience. If you don't have some background on what you are writing, no one will believe you. The three principles involved with narrative are crucial to the success of the story: recreating an incident, finding a generalization, and a strong emphasis on details. All of these need to be ensured with dialogue and narrative within the feature story.