The Art of News Writing

I. What is News?
-

a report of the recent event.

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
the communication of selected
information on current events which
is
presented
by print, broadcast, internet, or word
of mouth to a third party or mass
audience. (Wikipedia)

II. Determining News Worthiness

-

Timing
What is happening now?
Significance
How many was involved? Who
were affected?
Proximity
How near or far the event is?
(Distance) How close the story is
to the readers heart? (Social
Bond)
Prominence
How the prominent the person /
place is?
Human Interest
Can the people relate to the
story? Will the story made the
people think?

III. What is straight news?

-

Composed of the basic 5W and 1H

question item, usually found in the
lead.
Lead paragraph plays an important
role.
Usually brief.

Diagram 1 The
Flow of Ideas in
Straight News

V. Types of Lead
> Who,
Why, How

The opening part of a news article

The gist
starts with the feature of the story
which may either be the most
important or the most interesting fact
or both

What,

Where,

When,

VI. The Body

-

In Straight News, the body flows from

the most important to the least
important.

VII. You can quote a Person if

-

An authority in a field related to your

story.
In a position that would strengthen
your story.
Has a unique idea or point of view.

VIII. In quoting, you must

-

Avoid altering the message of the

speaker.
Keep the neutrality of the statement.
Writer can change the grammatical
error but not the diction.
Provide translation if necessary.

(Direct quote) + (Punctuation mark

or coma) (sources name) +(verb) +
(period)
Blah, blah, blah.... Blah, he said.

(Sources name) + (verb) + (colon)

(Direct Quote) +(Punctuation Mark)
He explained: Yada, yada, yada...
Yada!

IX. Pattern of a News Article

IV. Lead
-

should be as short as having 15 to 35

words in one paragraph
begins with specific, interest-rousing
words.
when possible, avoid beginning with
words phrases that start with a, an,
as, the, at a meeting, yesterday, last
night, last week, recently, according
to, it will be, there is, there are there
will be

Headline
Summary Lead
Bridge/ Supporting Lead
Facts and Details Supporting the
Lead
Quotes

XI. Additional
Writing
-

Tips

in

Journalistic

Spell out the entire name of person

or the group
Avoid abbreviations

Avoid Initials (groups name)

Spell out groups name first before
indicating initials.
Avoid short cut term for words or
group of words.
Spell out numbers one to nine.
Use figures for numbers 10 and
above.