Generate your reported feature draft
AI writes a complete 2,500-word feature article from your angle and three sources.
Generate your reported feature draft
River's Reported Feature Draft Writer generates complete 2,500-word journalism features based on your story angle and sources. You provide the angle and describe three main sources or reporting elements, and the AI writes a full draft with scene-setting lede, nut graf, body sections weaving sources together, and strong kicker. Whether you're writing for newspapers, magazines, or digital publications, you get professional feature drafts structured like real journalism.
Unlike blog post generators that create shallow listicles, we write in-depth reported features following journalism conventions. The AI understands feature structure (anecdotal lede, clear nut graf explaining significance, alternating between narrative and exposition, strategic quote placement, satisfying conclusion), writes in journalistic style with active voice and attribution, and creates flow that keeps readers engaged. You get drafts that read like professional long-form journalism, not content marketing.
This tool is perfect for long-form journalists drafting features from reporting, magazine writers on deadline, freelance reporters covering multiple stories, and journalism students learning feature structure. If you have your reporting done but struggle with the writing, or if you need to draft quickly and polish later, this tool helps. Use it when you know your angle and sources but need quality draft copy to work from.
What Makes Reported Features Strong
Reported features succeed when they combine compelling storytelling with substantive information. Strong features don't just report facts, they show readers why those facts matter through real people, vivid scenes, and revealing details. Weak features read like expanded news briefs (just facts and quotes). Strong features transport readers into the story through specific details, well-chosen anecdotes, and carefully placed quotes that advance the narrative. Readers should feel like they're experiencing the story, not just being told about it.
The best reported features follow time-tested structure. Open with a scene, character, or detail that hooks attention (not a generic topic sentence). Follow with a nut graf explaining what the story is about and why readers should care. Alternate between showing (scenes, quotes, examples) and telling (context, data, background). Use quotes strategically to reveal character, provide expert insight, or show emotion (not just to state obvious facts). Build toward a kicker that provides resolution or looks forward, connecting back to the opening when possible.
To improve feature quality, report more than you need. The best details come from spending time with subjects and asking follow-up questions. Avoid quote sandwiches where every paragraph is setup, quote, transition. Vary rhythm by using longer narrative sections punctuated by shorter quotes. Cut any paragraph that doesn't advance the story. Read your draft aloud to catch awkward phrasing and test flow. Every paragraph should earn its place by revealing something new or moving the story forward.
What You Get
Complete 2,500-word feature draft in journalistic style
Scene-setting lede and clear nut graf explaining significance
Well-structured narrative weaving together your three sources
Strategic quote integration and scene-based storytelling
Professional feature format ready to refine with reporting details
How It Works
- 1Enter angle and sourcesProvide your story angle and describe three main sources or reporting elements
- 2AI writes feature draftOur AI generates a complete 2,500-word feature in 5 to 8 minutes
- 3Review and copyRead through the complete draft and copy it
- 4Refine and fileAdd real quotes and specific details from your reporting, polish, and submit
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this replace actual reporting?
No. This helps you draft after you've done reporting. You still need to conduct interviews, gather information, collect quotes, and do the journalism. The AI takes your reporting (which you provide as inputs) and structures it into a well-written feature. Think of it as a drafting assistant, not a replacement for reporting. You do the journalism, it handles the initial writing.
Will the quotes be real or placeholder?
The AI creates quote-like content based on your source descriptions, but you must replace these with actual quotes from your interviews before publishing. Never publish fabricated quotes. Use the draft to see where quotes should go and what kind work best, then insert your real recorded quotes. The structure and flow are ready, you add authentic reporting.
How do I make this match my publication's style?
After generating, adjust length, tone, and structure to match your publication. Some want shorter paragraphs, others prefer longer. Some use more quotes, others rely on narrative. The draft provides professional feature structure. You adapt it to fit specific publication requirements. This is normal editing all journalists do before filing.
Can I use this for investigative pieces?
It works for standard features but investigative journalism requires careful attribution, legal review, and complex sourcing the AI can't handle. Use this only for initial drafting of investigative features. You'll need extensive revision, fact-checking, and likely legal review. For lighter human interest or explanatory features, the output is closer to publication-ready with standard editing.
What if I have more than three sources?
List your three most important sources or angles. You can add additional sources during revision. The AI needs limitation to create focused articles. Three major threads is enough for 2,500 words. More sources means either longer features (which you can expand during editing) or more complex stories needing human judgment about emphasis.
What is River?
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