Writing a News Report

John F. Ross
Smart Start
 Purpose and Audience
• To report on an event for the readers of a
newspaper

Length
•It is expected that the writer will use the
entire lined space provided for your written
work
 Time Management: 20 Minutes
First Ten Minutes
Getting Ready
•Read photograph and headline: decide on the event.
•Make up the event (main idea) seen in photograph: create
details
•Be CREATIVE
•Make a list of that answers the following: Who, What,
Where, When, Why, and How
•Include direct and indirect quotes (3)
•Concluding detail
 Second Ten Minutes
Get it on Paper
•Write an opening paragraph that deals with Who,
What, Where, and When of event. Identify key
people, basic facts, and gives readers an idea of
what is to come.
•Write the body of your news report that explain
the how and why of the event and may consist of
two or three short paragraphs.
•Use logical sequence of events
•Write a conclusion
•Review and correct
 Plan
• Read the headline and picture and decide
on event
• Ask yourself: What happened?
• Jot down answers to the following
questions: Who? What? Where? When?
Why? and How?
• Create a list of participant
 Write
• Opening paragraph briefly tells the reader
what happened
• The body explains what happened, who
was involved, where the event took place,
and why was it important
• Use direct and indirect quotations
• Use third person
• Write a conclusion: strong ending