ELELMENTS OF NEWS WRITING
Purpose of a news story:
News stories appear in print newspapers and online news sources. Their function is
to inform readers about a new occurrence or event in simple, easily understood language.
They report on the most recent development of an issue, focusing on the 5 W’s and 1 H
(who, what, where, when, why, and how.)
Features of a news story:
1. They open with a lead.
News stories are organized in exactly the opposite order to a short story. A short
story begins with an introduction, gives developments along the way, and builds to
a climax. A news story works in reverse. Because newspaper readers want the
most important information first, a news story begins with the climax.
A short story works like this:
A news story follows the inverted triangle format like this:
2.
LEAD or CLIMAX
5 W’s and 1 H
Important Facts
Less Important Facts
(could be cut off)
The lead is the first paragraph of the news story. It gives away the climax – the most recent
and interesting development. It should include the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and
How of the story.
3. Simple, straightforward language
News stories must communicate information to a broad audience, so they must be
written in language that people of different educational levels can read.
Ex) Don’t write: “Romeo Montague was exceptionally melancholy when
Rosaline did not return his affections.”
Write: “Romeo Montague was very upset that Rosaline would not date
him.”
4. Short Paragraphs
Typically, news story paragraphs are one or two sentences long.
5. Quotes from sources interviewed
Give credit to the person you are quoting and identify their role/relationship to the
story (the first time you mention them.)
“I had always heard Romeo was a virtuous and well-govern’d youth,” said Lord
Capulet, father of Juliet.
6. Objectivity
When writing a news story, your job is to report on the facts only, not to give your
personal opinion or interpretation. If your opinion shows through the story is then
biased, which you want to avoid. Everything you write must be based on
observable facts or comments from sources.
Ex) Baised (bad): Juliet was far too hasty in her decision to marry Romeo.
(show writer’s opinion)
Objective (good): Juliet met Romeo at her parents’ party and agreed to
marry him the next day. (Let the facts speak for themselves.)
7. Other format rules:
Write in simple past tense (i.e. write as if the event happened yesterday;
“Romeo did….” “Juliet said…”)
The first time you mention someone, give their full name, no titles (Mr., Mrs.)
Every time after that, give only their last name.
Do not use “I”, “me”, “you” or “we.”
Spell out numbers one to nine; numbers 10 and up should be in numerals
Indicate the city where the story took place by beginning with WINNIPEG -
Hey, Nostradamus! News Story
Assignment: It is 1988 and you are a reporter working at a Vancouver newspaper.
You have been assigned to cover the shooting at Jason and Cheryl’s
high school. Your editor wants two pages of in-depth coverage,
including interviews with as many people tied to the event as
possible. Your story will be published the day after the shooting.
How to Proceed:
1. Write an outline that lists the 5 W’s and 1 H
2. Make a list of people you will interview (include both characters in the
novel and plausible characters you will make up; ie. the school’s principal,
etc.)
3. Make a list of specific details from the novel that you will include (the name
of the school, details about the students involved, etc.)
4. Write your lead
5. Write a first draft of your story (handwritten or typed) that follows the
chronology we went over in class:
i. lead
ii. further development of lead
iii. return to the very beginning
iv. work your way chronologically back to the present
v. end with additional information that could be cut
vi. intersperse quotes from sources throughout
Requirements:
1. Your outline as indicated above
2. A first draft (typed or handwritten) with evidence of peer revision
3. A final typed copy in column format (using Microsoft Publisher is recommended)
4. All guidelines and formatting rules listed in the “News Stories” handout have been
followed
5. Two or more photos with captions
6. Byline: your name as the reporter
7. Newspaper name and date
8. Fill any extra space with photos, enlarged quotes pulled from the story, or relevant
supplementary material (advertisements, etc.)
Hey, Nostradamus! News story
Criteria Description (above level) Mark
Story demonstrates thorough understanding
Comprehension of the novel 1 2 3 4
Lead clearly and effectively communicates
Lead the 5 W's and 1 H 1 2 3 4
Content Details
Specific and interesting details from the
1 2 3 4
novel are well-used to develop story
Quotes from relevant interviewed sources are
Source quotes skillfully integrated to develop story 1 2 3 4
No bias is detectable; news is communicated
Objectivity with sustained objectivity 1 2 3 4
Following the lead, news story is organized
Story Structure in an effective order that logically
communicates information 1 2 3 4
Organization
Paragraphs Short paragraphs are used to conform to
news style 1 2 3 4
Appropriately simple, straightforward
language is used to communicate
Writing style information 1 2 3 4
Language
Simple past tense used; numbers, names, and
Style titles formatted correctly, no personal
guidelines pronouns 1 2 3 4
Strong command of conventions of
language; spelling, grammar, punctuation,
Conventions capitalization 1 2 3 4
Mechanics/Formatting
Piece is formatted as a news story: columns,
Formatting newspaper title, byline, date, city 1 2 3 4
Photos Two photos with captions are included 1 2 3 4
Final story: /48
Outline: /3
Draft & revisions: /2
TOTAL: /53