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THE POTENTIAL OF WEB-ONLY FEATURE STORIES

This article presents a case study that examines formal, stylistic and functional characteristics of the Web-only special features of three Spanish quality newspaper sites. The research, conducted in the framework of the author's doctoral dissertation, employs a mixed methodology based on an analysis of their links and their hypertextual structure, as well as on interviews with the editors concerned. The results show an extensive use of the technique of non-linear and multimedia writing, as well as specific narrative patterns that require further creative skills. These findings make it possible to understand why this type of production is today one of the main values in the informative and business strategy of the most popular online media. From a less pragmatic point of view, the case studies confirm the potential of this type of microsite for developing stories in depth, which supposes an enriching of the traditional genre of the feature or special report. The article discusses the implication of these findings for reporting practice and the need for further research about the impact of the Internet on the principles of journalism genres.