The Irish Times SchoolMag competition has returned for its third year. To help, this cut-out-and-keep column will keep you focused on key aspects of producing a school magazine. This week, Louise Holden has tips for writing feature articles

Many writers, even professionals, find it hard to work out what is required in a feature article. Some confuse it with news or, more regularly, with an opinion piece or extended letter to the editor. A feature lies somewhere in between.

Unlike in a news piece, the author's voice is distinct in a feature, and "colour" - vivid, often entertaining descriptions - conjecture and anecdote are part of the package. A feature also gives a writer the chance to explore some of the issues surrounding a theme. That theme should be newsworthy on some level, whether it relates directly to a news story or explores a perennial issue in a new way.

Adding value is important. If you are writing a feature about falling student numbers in your school, for example, you should contact the Department of Education and Science for information about second-level demographics around the country, interview a local politician about population changes in your area and talk to your principal about the future of the school.

An account of an experience can also make an interesting feature. If you live in Co Kildare, for example, you might be able to write about your family's encounter with the Ryder Cup.

News stories can kick off feature themes if you think creatively. Bertie Ahern's recent personal revelations could spark a piece on the effect of divorce and marital separation on teenagers or the etiquette of borrowing money from friends. And, as a writer for a school magazine, you'll be able to rely on some themes to appeal to your readers: relationships, new media, fashion and music, for example.

Last year's winning writers covered everything from atheism to skirts, but they all remembered some key points.

They made the focus of their articles clear from the beginning. Be ruthless when your edit your piece; delete any sentences that stray from the point or direct the piece in a wildly different direction; there is no room for waffle.

They wrote enticing openings. An arresting quote, a short, intriguing anecdote or a stark statistic can help to lure the reader into your piece.

They avoided cliches. It's easy to fill an article with unconvincing set-piece sentences, such as "It is an outrage in this day and age that . . ." Do you really feel outraged? Use your own voice and don't feel obliged to be overly dramatic.

They made their information accessible. If you have a lot of facts or figures to get across, try putting an information panel with your piece. It attracts the eye, breaks up the text and can make an interesting design feature. Try to think of design as you write. What pictures might go well with this piece? Have you mentioned a well-known person whose photograph could illustrate the article?

They used opinion very sparingly. Unless you are an expert on your subject, why would any reader care about your opinion on internet shopping or Middle East politics? You can pose interesting questions or call accepted orthodoxies into question, but don't bother your readers with a sermon.

The technical aspect of writing an accurate and fluid feature is an article of it's own, so come back next week to find out whats wrong with this sentence. For more tips, and to register for the contest, visit www.irishtimesschoolmag.ie. If you would like to see a topic covered in this column, e-mail lholden@irish-times