Writing Tips For News

Stories
Before students sit down to write their stories, it's important they have a basic
understanding of how to properly structure and organize their work. Creating an
outline prior to beginning the actual writing process will allow students to resolve
their ideas. It also allows teachers to assist students in areas they may have trouble
with.

Caption Writing

Captions are the copy underneath a photograph that explains what is going on in the
picture. They should also make clear how that picture relates to the story. Captions
should be no more than about 50 words long. A caption should tell what is going on
in a picture. Have students answer all questions that may come to mind: Who is
that? What are they doing? When and where are they doing it

Story Structure

First Paragraph
Students should begin with the most interesting thing they learned when
researching their stories. Have them set the stage for their readers. They
should use details to describe what’s going on, where the story is taking place,
and what the person is doing, looks like, and saying.
Second and Third Paragraphs
The second paragraph is one of two things: a nut graph or a quote. A quote
usually works best. The quote should build on the information in the first
paragraph.
The third graph is a “nut” graph. (Some journalists call it a billboard). This
paragraph tells why this story is important to the reader. It should include the
where and when. Here’s an example:
Jane Student, 11, was recently accepted by Scholastic News to be part of
the 2005-2006 Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
"I nearly flipped when I got the acceptance letter," Jane said. "I have
always been interested in politics."
Jane is one of 15 students chosen by
Jane is one of 15 students chosen by Scholastic to cover news stories
over the next year. Scholastic Student Reporters have covered
presidential campaigns, sports events, and breaking news stories.
 Reporters are chosen by Scholastic magazine editors based on the
quality of their applications.
The Rest of the Story
The next three to four paragraphs, which will complete the story, fill in other
information. These graphs should include at least one more quote, which
usually goes at the end. The end quote should sum up the point of the story. In
the above example, a quote from one of the Editors would be a good follow up
to the nut graph.
“Jane’s application stood out because of the quality of her writing and her
enthusiasm for the project,” John D. Editor said.
The rest of the story would be about how many were chosen, some examples
of who else got the job, and what their first assignments were.
The Kicker
The kicker is the last paragraph of the story. It usually sums up the point of the
story. It should also refer back to the first paragraph, which ties everything up
nicely for the reader.
In the above example, you could end with a quote from Jane, or information
about what Jane will be doing next as a Kid Reporter.

Writing Don't's

• Don't start a sentence with the person and/or title of a person or agency. Put
the action first (what is actually happening), then tell who or what is doing it.
(As noted in the example above, there is an exception to the rule. In that story,
the story is about Jane Student’s appointment. Her name and identifier are
short and sweet, so they don’t distract or bore).
Bad: The head of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington,
D.C., Kenneth Johnson today announced that he will be the first man to
walk on Mars.
Good: To be the first person to walk on Mars, Kenneth Johnson will have
to learn how to live for days in a space suit. As the head of blah, blah,
blah, he will have plenty of opportunity.
• Never start a lead (the first paragraph in your story) with a day, date, or time,
especially if that day, date, or time is NOT the current day, date, or time. It
makes your story look old.
Bad: On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Good: America’s involvement in World War II began with the sound of
airplane engines. When Japanese fighter planes swooped down on
unsuspecting Americans in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941,
U.S. citizens went to war.
• Avoid too many conjunctive sentences (sentences tied together with “and”).
Break any long sentences into two or three sentences. Also avoid starting
 sentences with “But” or “And.” Anytime a student writes a sentence starting
with “But” or “And,” have him or her take those words out and see if the
sentence doesn’t work just as well. Most times it does. If not, have them rework
the sentence.
• Don't start a sentence with “There are,” “There is,” “There was,” or “There
were.” Write all sentences as Subject, Verb, Object sentences. The sentence is
sharper and the idea is clearer. “There are" many vague sentences and most
of them start with “There are.”

Writing Do's

• Write with descriptive Nouns and Verbs. Avoid the “to be” verbs of is, are,
was, were.
For example:
Please do not annoy, torment, pester, plague, molest, worry, badger,
harry, harass, heckle, persecute, irk, bully, rag, vex, disquiet, grate,
beset, bother, tease, nettle, tantalize, or ruffle the animals. -THE SAN
DIEGO ZOO
From Strunk and White:
Write with nouns and verbs, not with adjectives and adverbs. The
adjective hasn’t been built that can pull a week or inaccurate noun out of
a tight place … In general … it is nouns and verbs, not their assistants,
that give to good writing its toughness and color. -Page 71, Third
Edition, The Elements of Style
• Active voice, not passive: Make sure a sentence has a subject doing the
action whenever possible. Subject, Verb, Object.
Bad: The ball was hit by Jack.
Good: Jack hit the ball.
Teaching Students How
to Teaching Students
How to Conduct
Journalistic Research
Conduct Journalistic
Research
Research tips for newcomers to journalism
Grades
3–5, 6–8
FROM The key to good reporting is good research. That’s why every reporter starts a
story by reading as much as possible about a particular subject. Before putting pen
to paper, a reporter must do research.
Being a journalist is like being a detective. Reporting is collecting information. You
can’t write a news story until you have collected all of the facts from reliable sources.
When researching facts, make sure to back them up with multiple sources.
Follow these steps and start turning research into news.
Visit the library to gather information about your topic. No detail is too small, no
story too great. Take good notes! Investigate
Look for background information on current events and unfolding news in
newspapers like:

 The New York Times

 The Los Angeles Times
 The Washington Post
 The Boston Globe
 The Chicago Tribune
 USA Today

Other national news sources include:

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Preserving Southern Voices

Teresa Fang June 7th, 2019
Teresa with William Ferris, who recently won two Grammy Awards for his box set, Voices of
Mississippi

William R. Ferris has been documenting African American music and folklore in the
South since the 1960s. He has written and edited several books and documentaries
on Southern culture and is recognized as a leading scholar in the field.
In February, Ferris won two Grammy Awards for Voices of Mississippi: Artists and
Musicians Documented by William Ferris. The box set, which includes videos and
essays, won for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes.
Ferris, who is the founding director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at
the University of Mississippi, is now a professor emeritus at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. I recently visited him there to learn more about his passion
for recording music and stories.
James “Son Ford” Thomas, a blues musician, performs at Yale University in 1974.
GENERATIONAL STRUGGLES
Born in 1942, Ferris grew up on a farm in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He worked in the
fields with his four siblings and their African American neighbors. During his high
school years, Ferris would take snapshots of local residents and record gospel
hymns sung at church.
“I have wonderful memories of quiet moments talking to people on the farm who told
me how they faced violence and survived,” Ferris said. “These were both beautiful
and sad stories. The importance of recording is to preserve.”
After earning a Ph.D. in folklore from the University of Pennsylvania, Ferris taught at
Yale University. While there, he invited such legends as James “Son Ford” Thomas
and B.B. King to perform for students. Thomas was a storyteller, sculptor, and blues
musician. King, also known as “The King of the Blues,” introduced a blues style that
influenced later musicians.
“African American music stands out,” Ferris said. “Many people were brought to this
country as slaves, and their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren
have been haunted by violence, racism, and prejudice. Their music reflects that
struggle [through the] generations.”

William Ferris (center) at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California, in
February
 “MUSIC IS PASSED ON”
Ferris continues to share music that he collected decades ago because, he said, “it’s
timeless. I don’t think the date the songs were recorded in any way diminishes their
value. If anything, they’re more important now than ever.”
Musical styles gradually change over time, Ferris said. He has seen an evolution
from blues and folklore to rock, rap, and hip hop. But he hopes that his box set will
inspire future generations, too.
Beyond the historical value of the music he has collected, Ferris also loves sharing it
with others. “It’s not work,” he said. “It’s something I enjoy, and I feel like I’m
preserving a little capsule of time. That capsule can be passed on to the next
generation, and people all over the world can hear it even if they don’t have the box
set. It’s all over the internet now, carrying all those voices. To me, that’s a miracle.”

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Taking Care of Trees

Aiden Zelrick January 9th, 2019

Aiden with Rick Howells, an arborist for the Shade Tree Commission in Allentown, Pennsylvania

What is an arborist? What does an arborist do? Rick Howells can answer those
questions.
Howells is the arborist for the Shade Tree Commission in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
He manages the care of all of the trees in the city, including the trees that line the
streets.
“Those trees weren’t just put there,” Howells said. “They were part of the city
planning.”
Trees bring many benefits to a town or city, Howells explained. They increase
property values and cool streets and yards in the summer. They benefit the
atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to
climate change.
In cities, trees provide a home for birds, bees, and squirrels. They also offer a
calming effect on the community. That is one reason there is less crime in tree-lined
areas.

“A PASSION”
Howells has been taking care of trees for several years. Before joining the Shade
Tree Commission, he was a tree service technician. The job is an important one.
Trees must be pruned and trimmed and, if they are diseased, removed so that they
don’t pose a risk to the community.
 “It’s challenging work,” Howells said. “You have to know types of knots for the ropes
and different kinds of rigging.” Rigging equipment, which consists of ropes and
hardware, is attached to trees so that they can be trim and cut safely.
To work as an arborist, you must be certified by the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA). The ISA is an international nonprofit headquartered in
Champaign, Illinois.
To Howells, taking care of trees isn’t just a job. It’s also a passion. He loves trees
and what they bring to a community. If you take good care of a tree, he said,
everything around it becomes beautiful, too. He hopes that more people will see the
beauty of trees and become aware of the many benefits they provide.
Photo courtesy of the author

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Helping Others See the Light

Josh Stiefel June 22nd, 2018
Virginia Jacko, president and CEO of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, with her guide dog, Eve

Virginia Jacko is blind, but she hasn’t let that stop her from doing what she loves.
Jacko is president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired, an organization that is dedicated to helping blind people
navigate their everyday lives. Jacko has increased Miami Lighthouse’s membership
from fewer than 500 in 2004 to more than 18,000 today.
Miami Lighthouse’s mission is to provide eye health services, adult education and
job readiness, and music and arts programs for children who are blind or visually
impaired.
“When I lost my eyesight,” Jacko says, “I moved to Miami because Miami Lighthouse
was the first private agency in the country to rehabilitate blind adults so that they
could get everyday jobs that aren’t specifically for those who are blind. I wanted to
learn the skills necessary to live independently while being blind.”
At first, Jacko attended a program at Miami Lighthouse every day for three months.
She enjoyed it so much that she became a volunteer at the organization. She went
 on to become a board member, treasurer of the board, and, finally, president and
CEO.

“WE’RE ALL THE SAME”

“I may not have sight,” Jacko explains, “but I found another kind of vision, one of
helping the blind community.”
Still, Jacko faced obstacles at the outset. “A huge problem,” she says, “was carrying
out my vision while being blind. A blind engineer developed a software program
called JAWS, which allows the user to talk to a computer instead of typing on a
keyboard.”
Under Jacko’s leadership, Miami Lighthouse has created several innovative
programs, including one that helps parents raise blind children. Another program,
inclusive pre-kindergarten, pairs sighted and blind children in the same classroom.
The results have been fascinating. Jacko received a letter from the parent of a
sighted student in the program, who said that her son had asked her what it means
to be blind. The parent answered that he went to school with blind children
“No I’m not,” the boy answered. “We are all the same.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” Jacko says. “Total inclusion of the blind is Miami
Lighthouse’s ultimate goal.”
Photo courtesy of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

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Supergirl

Josh Stiefel December 15th, 2017

What does it take to be the best at what you do? Powerlifter Naomi Kutin found out.

Naomi Kutin is not a superhero, but she is as close as you can get. Naomi, 16, is a
champion powerlifter who has earned world records for her weight class.
Powerlifting is a sport comprised of three components: the squat, bench press, and
deadlift. Naomi, who lives in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, has broken five world records in
the squat for women in the 97-pound weight class. She also has broken records in
the deadlift.
Naomi can squat 320 pounds, bench press 130 pounds, and deadlift 365
pounds. Supergirl, a documentary about her, will air on PBS on December 18 and
21.
I recently spoke with Naomi by phone. Here are highlights from our conversation:
What made you want to start powerlifting?
When I was eight years old, I was in a karate class. One day, my dad came to see
me, and he saw that I was doing push-ups really well, better than the boys. I also
was doing well in things that indicate strength. He has been powerlifting for over 30
years and practices in our basement, where we have a gym.
My dad saw that powerlifting was something I could potentially be good at, so he
asked me if I wanted to try it. I started working out in our basement and still do so
with him as my coach.
Naomi at a film festival on Long Island

What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced with powerlifting?
I’ve had a couple of injuries, and it took a few months to recover. I had to lower the
weights a lot, and that was frustrating. I also get a lot of cyberbullying for what I do.
People think that it’s terrible and I shouldn’t do it. That got kind of discouraging and
made me not want to powerlift. But then I realized that’s ridiculous, and I shouldn’t
stop because people online are telling me to.
What motivates you?
I noticed that people saw my lifting and were inspired by it. I enjoy making those
people happy.
There is a new documentary about you called Supergirl. Can you tell us about
it?
Jessica Auritt, the director, is Jewish, like me. After hearing about a Jewish
powerlifter, Jessica thought that it would make for a fascinating movie.
How do you balance school and powerlifting?
It’s a challenge, but I prioritize school over powerlifting. At the end of the day,
powerlifting is a hobby. If I have to do my homework, and I also have to do a
workout, I do my homework first.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject is definitely history.
Do you have Olympic aspirations?
No. In the Olympics, you have to lift the weight over your head, and I don’t practice
or compete like that.
What do your friends think of your powerlifting?
My friends are super supportive of my accomplishments, and they love seeing me
compete.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I really like photography, and I’ve won a couple of photo competitions.
What do you want to do when you’re older?
I’d like to make a career out of powerlifting, but that’s not so practical. I want to keep
powerlifting no matter what I do, and I want to keep that as a part of my life. I’d really
like to be a psychologist because the way people think interests me.
Do you have any advice for our readers?
Don’t be afraid to try a new hobby or do new things. I was scared when I started
powerlifting because I wasn’t sure how people would react. But going out of my
comfort zone turned out to be an amazing decision.
Top photo by Lance Goyke; bottom photo courtesy of Naomi Kutin

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Aladdin Returns to the Big Screen

Annika Petras May 23rd, 2019

Mena Massoud stars as Aladdin in Disney’s live-action remake of the beloved classic, which is
directed by Guy Ritchie.

On May 24, viewers can experience a magical journey firsthand in Aladdin. The new
version of the animated 1992 Disney classic is live-action and includes new music
and characters. Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud, and Nasim Pedrad star in
the film, which is directed by Guy Ritchie.
At a recent press conference for Aladdin in Beverly Hills, California, the actors and
director shared their enthusiasm for the new film. “I’m especially proud of the
representation and the ethnically-diverse casting,” said Massoud, who plays Aladdin.
“I’m excited for little boys and girls to go see people who look like them on-screen.”
Smith, who plays Genie, talked about the fun he had working on his first Disney film.
“There’s something in these stories that wakes up the inner child in you and forces it
to come alive,” he said. “It just started waking up that fun, silly, childlike part of me.”
Annika catches up with Will Smith at the press event for Aladdin in Beverly Hills, California.

INTRODUCING “SPEECHLESS”
Like many others in the cast, Pedrad was a fan of the animated version
of Aladdinwhen she was growing up. Her character, Dalia, was added to the new
film. She is the friend and handmaid of Princess Jasmine, who is played by Scott.
Pedrad loved being able to “create something from scratch and watch that intersect
with the story that people know and love,” she said.
Classic songs from the original, including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like
Me,” are given a fresh interpretation, and new songs have been added. Scott, in the
role of Princess Jasmine, introduces a powerful song called “Speechless.” When
asked about the song’s message, she said: “It doesn’t matter who you are, what you
look like, or your gender. Nothing matters. Speaking out against injustice matters,
not just standing and being a spectator.”
 For his part, Ritchie enjoyed directing the film. “It was the most fun and creative
process I’ve ever been through,” he said. He hopes that viewers will leave the movie
with a sense of optimism.

Nassim Pedrad (left) with Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine. Pedrad plays Dalia, a character that was
created for the new version of the movie.

Top and bottom photos: Daniel Smith; middle photo courtesy of the author

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Helping Flood Victims in the Midwest

Brandon Peterson May 20th, 2019

Brandon outside a home in Valley, Nebraska, where the water came up five feet

In late March, storms and rapid temperature shifts in several Midwestern states led
to catastrophic flooding. For Nebraska, it was the worst disaster in the state’s history:
76 of 93 counties have had to apply for aid, with damage estimated at more than
$1.3 billion. In my home state of Iowa, 56 of 99 counties are receiving assistance for
repairs to homes, farms, and infrastructure.
Although it has been a devastating time for Midwestern farm counties, many
volunteers have pitched in despite the dangers. For volunteer Lynn Caniglia, the
feeling that comes from “helping families” is all the payment she needs.
Brandon talks with volunteer Lynn Caniglia about her efforts to help families in need.

HELPING TO REBUILD
Jeanie Goodhile raises disabled animals on her farm in Valley, Nebraska. The floods
ruined her land and killed all 15 of the alpacas she owned.
“When the water came, I had 20 minutes to save all of my animals,” Goodhile said.
“When I tried to get some of the donkeys and alpacas out of their pens, they wouldn’t
come out.”
Across the Midwest, three people and more than 2.3 million animals died in the
flooding. Goodhile is grateful for the first responders and volunteers who risked their
lives to save others.
A Christian nonprofit organization called Eight Days of Hope is among the groups
offering assistance. Volunteers from as far away as Ohio and North Carolina rescued
people who were stranded and are now providing supplies to those in need and
helping to rebuild.
A worker pulls up the floor in a home that sustained extensive water damage.

“I assess homes to see if they’re safe to live in after all of the [damage],” said
volunteer Steve Metcalph.
Several steps need to be taken to ensure that a house is safe and habitable after
flooding, said supervisor Stephen Coleman. Cleaning out a home and making
repairs after flood damage can be a long, complex process.
Roads, bridges, and highways in the Midwest were also damaged. Most of the
highways and roads have reopened, but nearly one million homes are still awaiting
clean-up.

Photos courtesy of the author

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How to write a great newspaper article

This page will teach you how to write a newspaper article (and make it great). Learn how to
format a newspaper article correctly, through examples, and learn how to cite or reference a
newspaper article for a school assignment.
Newspaper articles provide information on current events and issues, along with interpretation
and analysis. They also provide entertainment, and are a reference for television listings, sports
results, movie listings, community events and weather reports.
Newspapers use pictures and captivating headlines to draw in readers and hold their attention.
Writing a great article can require informative and persuasive language, including emotive words,
imagery, and rhetorical questions.
The following hints, tips and ideas will help you write a newspaper article for your local
newspaper, a school assignment or just for fun.

Newspaper articles provide information on current events and issues.

The Purpose of a Newspaper Article

A newspaper article provides information on newsworthy topics: that is, any event or issue of
importance to the majority of readers. It provides the reader with all the facts about this issue or
event, including who, what, where, when, why and how. It includes statements, comments and
opinions from experts or other people involved.

Format and Structure

The structure of a newspaper article is often compared to an inverted
triangle: the most important details are at the top of the article, and the
least important information placed at the end of the article. It is
important to keep each paragraph as independent as possible, to allow
paragraphs to be cut out in order to fit in pictures and advertisements.
The article is not written in chronological order. A newspaper article
includes the following (in order):
 Headline and by-line (reporter's name and picture).
 An opening paragraph (introduction) of about 25-40 words. It provides the most important and
interesting news first, while answering who, what, where, when (how and why are often
reserved for later).
  Further short paragraphs of about 30-40 words apiece. Each one has a main idea and a
different fact. They may also include quotes from people involved or experts.
 Details are given in order of importance, with the least important details at the end of the
article. This allows readers to skim over the start of the article to gain the essential facts before
deciding to read on.
 At the end of the article the facts and opinions may be summarised, detailing the issue or
event.

Example of a Newspaper Article

Make a Classroom Newspaper
"Just the Facts, Ma'am." Picture Dictionary

You can create your own newspaper. Students can be reporters, researching and
writing newspaper articles. Topics for articles can include interesting things that
have happened in the classroom or school, events that occurred in your town,
family milestones (did someone have a birthday recently, or win an award?), a
sports tournament, extreme weather, or an interesting local person! Before you
begin, read and analyze some newpaper articles to see how professional reporters
write.

You can put the articles of all the students in the classroom together to make your
own classroom newspaper! You can even add advertisements for made-up
products.

A newspaper is a daily or weekly publication that contains news articles, editorials,

and other items. Newspapers are printed on large sheets of inexpensive paper that
are folded. Ads (and to a much lesser extent, subscriptions) pay the costs of
operating a newspaper. Synonyms for newspaper are paper and rag (this is a
disparaging term).

The owner of a newspaper is called the publisher. The editor is in charge of the
content. Reporters research and write the articles. Most reporters specialize in an
area (like government, crime, or science) - this specialty is called the
reporter's beat.

In the USA, the freedom of the press is guaranteed by the first amendment to
the US Constitution.
Structure
of a
Newspaper
Article
Each
newspaper
article has a
title (called
the headlin
e) that is set
in large
type. The
writer of a
newspaper article is often not credited; if the author is mentioned, this credit is
called the author's byline.

The beginning of each newspaper article (the first paragraph) is called

the lead (one or two sentences long); the lead should summarize the main facts of
the article, telling the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, and why) and how. The first
paragraph should also contain a hook, something that grabs the reader's attention
and makes the reader want to read the rest of the article.

The nut graph is the paragraph that contains the core information about the story
and tells the reader why the story is important.

The remainder of the article contains supporting paragraphs that go into more
detail about the topic, often including quotes and interesting facts. The less
important information should appear later in the article, since the article may
be cropped (shortened) by the editor (the person who puts the newspaper
together) to make the article fit on the newspaper page.

The reporter's opinions should not appear in the article - only the facts. Use clear
and simple language. Keep the article short and to the point. Use active verbs (for
example: Man bites dog) and not passive verbs (for example: Dog bitten by man).

Each picture, graph or illustration should have a caption describing or explaining

it.

Structure of a Newspaper

 First section - with major news, world news and

sometimes, editorials (where the newspaper editors offer their opinions on
various topics - published with the op-eds -- opinions written by other
writers). The most important news articles are on the first page; the top half
of the first page is referred to as "above the fold."
  Local news section -with local news and weather.
 Sports section.
 Lifestyle section - often containing feature articles (non-news general
interest pieces, for example, an article on stamp collecting or visiting New
York City), entertainment, travel, fashion information, cooking, useful
household hints, advice columns, the comics, puzzles, and reviews of
movies and books.
 Classified ads section in which people and businesses advertise items for
sale and post job notices.
 Paid advertisements are scattered throughout the paper except on first
pages (the ads generate most of the revenue that keeps a newspaper in
business).

 Newspaper Glossary
Picture Dictionary

above the fold - The top half of the first page.

ads - Paid notices promoting items available for sale or lease or candidates for
office.

article - A written piece about a topic.

beat - The specialization of a reporter, for example, government, business, or
sports.

byline - The name of a reporter as credited near the top of a newspaper article.
caption - An explanation of a picture or illustration, usually placed under the
picture.

classified ads - Advertisements placed by people and businesses to let people

know about items for sale and available jobs.

cropped - shortened. Articles are oftened cropped by an editor so that they will
fit onto the newspaper page.

deadline - The time at which an article is due.

editor - The person in charge of the content of the paper.
editorials - Opinion articles, written by the publisher, editors, and columnists
of the paper.

feature article - Non-news general interest pieces, for example, an article on

stamp collecting.

five W's - Who, what, when, where, and why.

freedom of the press - In the USA, the freedom of the press is guaranteed
by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. In many countries around the
world, there is no freedom of the press.

headline - The title of an article; it is set in large, bold type.

hook - Something written early in an article that grabs the reader's attention and
makes the reader want to read the rest of the article..

interview - A conversation with a person in order to obtain information.

Reporters interview people to find out about the topic they are writing about.

interviewee - The person who is being interviewed.

interviewer - The person who is conducting the interview.
inverted
triangle
- A diagram
shaped like
an upside-
down
triangle that
notes the
content of a
newspaper
article,
listing the
most important items first.

lead (or lede) - The first paragraph of each newspaper article (the first
paragraph); the lead should summarize the main facts of the article, telling the 5
W's (who, what, when, where, and why) and how..
letters to the editor - Letters from readers - they appear in the letters to the
editor portion of the op-ed section of the newspaper.

news article - A piece that describes and explains a current news event.
newspaper - A newspaper is a daily or weekly publication
that contains news articles, editorials, and other items.
Newspapers are printed on large sheets of inexpensive paper
that are folded. Ads (and to a much lesser extent,
subscriptions) pay the costs of operating a newspaper.
Synonyms for newspaper are paper and rag (this is a
disparaging term).
nut graf - The paragraph that contains the core information
about the story and tells the reader why the story is important.
op-ed - The section of a newspaper opposite the editorial
section, where more opinions are stated (these are written by
writers other than the editors). Op/ed is short for "opposite the
editorial page."
publisher - The owner of a newspaper.
quote - The exact words of your subject (the interviewee).
rag - a disparaging slang term for a newspaper.
reporter - A person who researches and writes an article for a
newpaper.
scoop - A news story that no other reporter has discovered
yet!
sidebar - A story that accompanies a main story, perhaps
detailing a background event or a related topic.
supporting paragraphs - Paragraphs following the lead;
these paragraphs go into more detail about the topic, often
including quotes and interesting facts. The less important
information should appear later in the article, since the article
may be cropped (shortened) by the editor.
Newspaper Worksheets for writing newspaper articles and
for analyzing existing newspaper articles:

Language Features: The Headline

Headlines convey information and attract attention using the following:

 Short phrases and incomplete sentences

 Figurative language
 Stereotypes
 Exaggeration

Language Features: The Body of the Article

The language in the body of the article uses the following features to inform, entertain and
persuade.

 Clear and concise

 In the third person
 Can use active or passive voice, depending on the focus and which is more engaging for
the reader.
 Factual and accurate.
  Includes quotes, comments, opinions, statements and observations, from people involved
or experts on the topic.
 Gives people labels so that the reader knows who they are straight away, for example: "the
Minister, Mr. Dash."
 Avoids racist, sexist or religious slurs.
 Accurate and balanced (providing facts supporting both sides of the issue).

Using Visuals
Headlines use size, bold, capitals, different font styles, underlining and sometimes colour to
attract reader's attention to the newspaper article that follows. The importance of the article is
generally related the size of the headline, with more important articles having bigger and bolder
headlines.

Photographs, illustrations, graphs, graphics and maps are used alongside newspaper articles to
help present complex information as well as add interest and colour.

How To Cite and Reference A Newspaper Article

When you use a newspaper article as a source for an assignment or project, you need to
describe it so that readers themselves can find it. Below you will find several of the most common
ways to reference and cite a newspaper article. If there is one I have missed that you think needs
to be included, please let me know in the comment section!

If you are unsure which referencing method you are required to use, then ask your teacher or
check the relevant course information.

 MLA:
Newspaper Author. "Article Name." Name of Newspaper [City] Publication Date, Newspaper
Section (Sports, Weather, Editorial): Page Number of Article.

 APA:
Author (Name, Initial, Initial). (Year/Month/Day). Article Name. Name of Newspaper, Page
Number(s) of Article

 Harvard Referencing:
Name, Initial Year, 'Article Name', Newspaper Name, Day and Month, Page(s) of Article.

Developing writing skills

This lesson plan for teachers of teenage and adult students at Pre-
Intermediate level and above is based on the theme of news reports.
Students will develop their abilities to organise information and construct
it into a text.

Introduction

This lesson takes a process approach to developing writing skills. It is staged so that
students are guided through the processes of collecting information and deciding
how they will structure it within the text before they begin to write.
 Students are guided through the process of drafting, editing and redrafting the text
to produce a final copy.

There are also a number of suggested follow ups.

Topic

News reports

Age

Teenage/adult

Level

Pre-Intermediate and above

Timing

60-90 mins

Aims

 To develop students' abilities to organise information and construct it into a text

 To develop students' abilities to revise, redraft and improve their writing
 To develop students' abilities to construct questions

Materials

Lesson plan: guide for teacher on procedure.

Download lesson plan 87k pdf

Worksheets: worksheets which can be printed out for use in class. The worksheet
contains:

 Editor's checklist
 Report stencil for final copy

Download worksheets 66k pdf

Nik Peachey, teacher, trainer and materials writer.

The plans and worksheets are downloadable and in pdf format. If you have difficulty
downloading the materials see the download section of the Help page.

HOW TO WRITE A SCHOOL NEWS ARTICLE

News articles are designed to relate the news. The article is written to
inform readers. It is factual, meant to present information in a quick,
digestible form. The following elements of writing a newspaper article
are important, so heed them well.
RESEARCH AND FACT GATHERING
Perhaps the #1 rule of writing a newspaper article is that you are factual.
You do not want to make assumptions or fabricate information. Before
you can write your article, you must have as many of the facts as you can
gather. Here are some facts that you will need to find out:
 What? The specific event that took place.
 Who? The people involved.
 Where? Places.
 When? Date and time.
 Why? Reasons for the event taking place.
 How? Connecting the facts.
You will also need to gather as much detail as you can. This will involve:
 Interviewing people connected to the story.
 Gathering quotes from people (be exact…never paraphrase what they said). Cite names, unless
they specifically request to remain anonymous.
 Resolving conflicting facts from individuals.
 Researching public information (always cite your sources, so write them down).
Once you have all your facts, you can begin to write your article.
THE HEADLINE OR TITLE
For a news article, this is where you have most of your creativity. The
headline must grab the attention of the reader. It needs to be catchy,
emotion evoking, or creates curiosity. Be creative with it. In many
instances, you will spend more time trying to come up with the perfect
headline than you will in the actual writing.
THE ARTICLE BODY
The main news article itself is written from bottom down. In other words, the most important information
comes first and each paragraph gives less and less details. Whereas a novel, for example, starts you out
with little information and you must read to the end to get all of it.

In news article writing, however, you want to provide the key information right up front. You start with the
6 questions you should have already answered in your research:

 What?
 Who?
 Where?
 When?
 Why?
 How?
Your first two paragraphs need to answer all these questions. For example:

The Varsity football team beat Smith High School last Saturday, 21 to 7, in a rematch that vindicated
Coach John’s prediction of a win during Friday’s pep-rally. Our first home win this season at our very
own Jane Doe Field was a morale booster to the entire student body. Quarterback, Joe Baker completed
18 out of 24 passes to cement the win.
This was only a simple example, but almost all the questions are actually answered in the first two
sentences. From here you can add more inconsequential details, such as receiving yards, rushing yards, and
so forth. You will at some point include quotes from people such as the coach, the quarterback, a receiver,
a fan in the stands, and perhaps the principal. Although for quotes, you don’t want to include too many, but
having two or three is important. By the time you get to the end of the article, you are simply expanding
upon what the reader already knows from the first two paragraphs you wrote.

Don’t make your paragraphs long—two to three sentences each. Your word count will need to stay around
the 500 word count or less, generally speaking.