The Profile Article: A Feature Article with a Twist

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you. (Luke 1:3, NLT)

A Word For Writers

A profile article is a feature article that focuses on an individual person.

But a profile is not a straight-up biography or news update. Instead, a profile pinpoints a special trait, characteristic, newsworthy accomplishment, or distinction in that individual.

It’s up to the writer to identify that unique twist.

The four gospel writers demonstrate this principle beautifully. Each of them – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – wrote an extended profile article on Jesus Christ. Yet each observed different things about Jesus. And each wrote from his life perspective. And each one is accurate.

• Matthew, a Levite, wrote to fellow Hebrews. He focused on Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah: “the King of the Jews.”
• Mark, a pastor and close friend of Peter, likely directed his account to Roman believers. His straightforward approach portrayed Jesus as a man of action: “the Servant.”
• Luke, a Gentile and a physician, wrote to a non-Jewish audience. He emphasized Jesus’ humanity and accessibility to all: “the Son of Man.”
• John, one of Jesus’ inner circle, wrote to a varied readership – those who had been disenfranchised by their own traditions. He portrayed Jesus as fully divine and fully human: “the Son of God.”

Luke explained it this way: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you” (Luke 1:3, NLT).

He articulated what writers still embrace today: a good profile article highlights a uniqueness about the subject as seen from the writer’s individual perspective. 

A Wise Word

Writers' perspectives can be different but accurate.

A Word To Pray

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving each of us a different perspective. As I write, show me the uniqueness to bring out in my subject. Let me highlight that distinction with accuracy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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