Read the following essays and tell which you think is the news story:

The siren of the Manila fire department trucks one night attracted a thong of
spectators, among them Lady Lee, an 8 -year-old second grader; Eric Fructuso, 17, a
high schooler: <rs. ZoraidaSanchez, a housewife; and Mark Anthony FErnandez, editor
of a high school paper.
At school, the next day, Lady Lee's teacher asked the pupils to write about
something interesting they had seen. Lady Lee wrote painstalkingly:
"I saw a fire. It was a big red fire. It burned a house. There were many people
around. Some men put water on the fire."
Eric likewise took advantage of the fire as a topic for him composition assignment:
"Fearful scarlet tongues arise to the star-studded heaven and licked greedily at
the doomed edifice while the stout-hearted firefighters risked their all to quench
the terrible conflagration."
Mrs. Sanchez, too, mentioned the fire in a letter she scribbled to a friend:
"You know, Mare, there was a fire in our community. I think it cost the owner, a
great deal of money. The date was August 8. Ausgust is the eighth month. So I bet
in the jueteng, 08-08, tompiang."
But Mark Anthony, the editor, wrote his piece this way:
"A fire of undetermined origin razed to the ground a two-storey apartment owned by
Atty. Richard Padilla of 15 Bulacan St., Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, last night.
Four trucks from the Gagalangin Fire Station subdued the fire within an hour. The
damage estimated by the police at P500,000 was covered by insurance."

Now, which of the four essays is news as far s structure is concerned? Lady Lee
wrote with childish simplicity; Eric with enthusiastic vividness and lavish
phraseology; Mrs. Sanchez with friendly approach. But Mark Anthony combining
simplicity, vividness and dignity, achieved clarity and compactness, the outstnding
qualities of a newspaper style.
A glance at the four specimens will show that simplicity alone means a bare
skeleton of facts: vividness alone, a shining mass of embroidered raiment; dignity
alone, a dull and drab patter; while a combination of the three produces copy,
simple, enough for Mr. Averafe Reader to understand.

NARRATIVE vs NEWS

Suppose a blind man is walking along a dark street on a rainy night with his dog.
The man slips on a stone and falls unconscious to the mud. As it is very cool and
no one comes along to help, the dog lies down on the master's body to protect him
from the rain and to keep him warm.
Hours pass and the rain falls continously over the unconscious man and his faithful
dog. A ploce patrol passes by and spots the blind man. The blind man is rushed to
the hospital for emergency treatment. He is pronounced in good condition and is
expected to live. But his dog, suffering from extreme cold, dies.
A short-story writer would tell his tale in a manner similar to how it actually
occurred. This first scene would probably show the two walking along the street.
Then, the man would fall and the dog would protect him. Finally, the two would be
discovered.
In other words, the short-story writer would probably organize the story in the
same way as it happened, in time, from the beginning to the end or climax. He would
begin with minor facts and build his story following the pyramid structure.
First would come the introduction and the minor facts. Then as the story begins to
build, the writer would more important facts until he reaches the climax. He would
withhold the most imporatnt information until the end of the story.

NEWS REPORT

But the news reported does not organize his stories in the same way. Because
newspaper readers want the more important information first, the news reporter
begins with the climax. Then as he discloses the most important information, he
works away from the climax to the lesser facts followingthe inverted pyramid
structure.

Example

Dogs Saves Blind Master

Lead - Most important facts

A four-year old dog saved the life of his blind master Thursday night, but the
animal's loyalty cost the dog its life.
In serious condition today, in Doctor's Hospital is Ramon Garcia, 61, a broom
maker. Garcia of 15 Lico st., Padacan, Manila was found early this morning
unconcious on a sidewalk near the Aglipayan Church.

Less impotant facts

Police theorized that Garcia was knocked unconscious when he fell, his head hitting
a stone. Potpot, his dog, apparently tried to shield its master from the cold and
the rain by draping itself over the fallen man.
When discovered this morning by the Police Patrol, Garcia was still unconscious.
The dog lay near, dead.
Relatives of Garcia, who is a bachelor, told authorities that he usually took
nightly strolls at about 11 p.m. with his dog.

Minor facts
According to doctors, only the warmth from the dog's body saved Garcia from certain
death.
Garcia told police that he remembers nothing of the incident. A wallet containg
P500 was still in Garcia's pocket leading police to rule out robbery.

Types of News Stories

As the reader goes on reading, he observes the different ways the news storieshave
been written. This is so because there are different types of news, and each type
is treated differently.
News may fall under any of the following types according to:
A. Scope or Origin
1. Local news - report of events that takes place within the immediate locality
2. Foreign news - news that takes place outside the country
3. Dateline news - Many news stories come from other places. These stories
include the name of the city or province or country where the news event occured
and sometimes the date on which the story happened. This notation is called a
dateline. The dateline preced the story.

B. Chronology or Sequence
1. Advance or Anticipated - news published before its occurrence, sometimes
called dope or prognostication. The reporter foretells events expected to occur at
a time in the future.
2. Spot news - news that is gathered and reported on the spot. It deals with
unscheduled information demanding immediate publication. The reporter himself was
an eye-witness to the event that took place.
3. Coverage news - news written from given beat or assignment. Both spot news
and coverage news are good examples of first-hand reporting.
4. Follow-up news - a sequel to a previous story. Having a new lead of its own,
it is a second, third or subsequent chapter of a series.

C. Treatment
1. Fact story - This is a plain exposition setting forth a single situation or a
series of closely-related facts that inform. It is written in the inverted pyramid
design.
2. Action story - A narrative of actions involving not mere simple facts, but
also of dramatic events, description of person and events, perhaps testimony of
witnesses, as well as explanatory data. Sports games, competitions and war reports
are examples of action stories.
3. Speech or Quote story - Anews story usually written from a public address,
talks, speeches, statements and letters, and to some extent, interviews. All are
based on recorded information, either written or spoken, and transcribed the
reporter in the form of news.

D. Content
1. Routine story - reported events that occur year in and year out like
enrolment, Christmas, election, graduation and anniversary stories.
2. Police reports - stories of events wherein the police, the military or
government authorities have to step in, like accident, fire, calamity (earthquake,
landslide, flood, volcano erruption) stories, especially, when people are killed or
injured, and property is destroyed.
3. Science news* - stories about science.
4. Development Communication - stories on development,a dvancement and progress.
5. Sports news - stories on sports and athletics.

E. Structure
1. Straight news - news that consists of facts given straight without
embelishment. It's main aim is to inform. It uses the summary lead and is written
following the inverted pyramid structures.
2. News feature - (Featurized news distinguished from a feature article) It is
news, not a feature article. It is also based on facts, but it entertains more than
it informs. It usually uses the suspended interest structure like the narrative,
thus cannot meet the cut-off test like in straight news. The writer may give his
impression, may describe and narrate, but without reporting to biased opinion:
i.e., without editorializing like in an editorial.

F. Advanced News
Investigative, Interpretative (Interpretive), Depthnews

G. Minor Forms
1. Newsbrief - a short ite of news interest, written like a brief, telegraphic
message, giving mainly the result with details.
2. News bulletin - It is similar to the lead of a staright news story. Its aim
is just to give the gist of the news.
3. News-featurette - This is short-news feature usually used as fillers, e.g.,
"Quirks in the news."
4. Sidebar - A news item or a feature placed side by side its mother story to
which it is related but under a headline of its own.
5. Flash - A message giving a first brief news of an event. It is usually boxed.

WRITING THE LEAD

EVERY NEWS STORY begins with an introduction called the lead (pronounced as led).
This may be a single word, a phrase, a clause, a brief sentence, an entire
paragraph or a series of paragraphs.
The main functions of the lead, aside from introducing the news story, are to tell
the story in a capsule form and to answer right away the questions the reader would
naturally ask.
A good lead answers all the important questions of the reader, indicates the
attendant circumstances if they are all important, and arouses the readers'
interest to continue reading the story.
Kinds of Lead

1. Conventional or Summary Lead -This kind of lead is used in straight news, it

answers right away all or any of the six Ws and two Hs, it may be one of the
following:

WHO LEAD. Used when the person involved is more prominent than what he does and
what had happened to him.
Example: President Rodrigo Duterte addressed on April 20, the PMA graduates in
Baguio City.

WHAT LEAD. Used when the event or what took place is more important than the
person involved in the story.
Example: The NSAT will be given Nov. 24 to all graduating High School students
desiring to enroll in four-year college course.

WHERE LEAD. Used when the place is unique and no prominent person is involved in
the story.
Example: The Philippines will be the site of the next Miss Universe Contest.

WHEN LEAD. Rarely used as the reader presumes the story to be timely. However,
this lead is useful when speaking of deadlines, holidays, and important dates.
Example: Today, almost to the hour, Revolutionary Government was proclaimed by
former President Joseph Estrada.

WHY LEAD. Used when the reason is more prominent or unique than what had
happens.
Example: Because of poverty, around a hundred students dropped out from school
last year. This was learned from PNU president Nilo L. Rosas.

HOW LEAD. Used when the manner, mode, means, or method of achieving the story is
unnatural in way.
Example: By appealing to the school board, the Manila Science High School was
able to construct a three story concrete building.

WHENCE LEAD. History of the News

HENCE LEAD. Future of the News

2. Grammatical Beginning Lead

There are times when the lead is introduced by a kind of grammatical form which is
usually a phrase or a clause used to emphasize a feature. Here, the important W’s
are found in the main clause, not in the introductory or subordinate clause which
is just a modifying feature

Prepositional Phrase Lead. Phrase is introduced by a preposition.

Example: With brooms and other cleaning equipment, boy scouts from the Manila
Public High Schools cleaned the City Markets in consonance with Mayor Lito
Atienza’s CLEAN and Beautification Drive.

Infinitive Phrase Lead. It begins with the sign of the infinitive to plus the
main verb.
Example: To encourage tourism, balikbayans are given a warm welcome by their
fellow Filipinos.

Participial Phrase Lead. It is introduced by the present and past participle of

the verb.
Example: šHoping to cop first place, the PNU wood-pushers honed up for the chess
championship games. (Present Participle). Dressed like a priests, robbers were able
to enter the bank. (Past Participle)

Gerund Phrase Lead. It is introduced by a gerund (a verbal noun ending in ing).

Example: Winning the development communication trophy, during the national press
conference was Araullo High School’s best achievement of the year.

Clause Lead. The lead begins with a clause which may either be independent or
subordinate, or may either be a noun or an adjectival or adverbial clause.
Example: Because September 9 was Osmena Day all lessons dealt with the life of
the late president Sergio Osmena Sr. (Subordinate, adverbial)

3. Novelty Leads.
Some kinds of leads are best used in writing news features. They are written in
such a way that they attract the attention or carry out a definite purpose. Among
these kinds of novelty leads are: Astonisher lead. Contrast lead. Parody lead.
Epigram lead. Punch lead. Picture lead. One-word lead Background lead. Quotation
lead. Descriptive lead. Question lead.

Astonisher Lead. Uses an interjection or an exclamatory sentence.

Example: Champion of District 1! Better look your best this week!

Contrast Lead. Describes two extremes or opposites for emphasis. The sharper the
contrast, the more effective the lead will be.
Example: Four months before the beautification and cleanup drive, zone 15 in
Tondo, Manila was the dirtiest district. Three months after, it won first place in
the CLEAN contest sponsored by the Department of Community and Local Government.

Epigram Lead. Opens by quoting a common expression, verse, or epigram, at least

familiar in the locality.
Example: Like father, like son. Ramon Garcia Jr. graduated Valedictorian this
year Ten years ago, his father, Mr. Ramon Garcia Sr. also topped his class and
delivered his valedictory address on the same pulpit where the young Garcia
delivered his.

Picture Lead. Describes a person, a place, or an event and at the same time,
creating a mental picture of the subject matter in the mind of the reader.
Example: The new principal although only on his early thirties, is already
silver-haired. He seldom talks, but when he does, he talks with sense.

Background Lead. Similar to the picture lead, except that it describes the
setting which is more important than that of the event or the person involved.
Example: The PNU campus was turned into a miniature carnival ground on September
1 during the 104th F-Day Celebration of the University. Decorated with buntings and
multi-colored lights, the quadrangle was a grand setting for a barrio fiesta.

Descriptive Lead. Used when comparatively few descriptive words can vividly
formulate an imagery.
Example: Dressed in white Polo Barong, and with Diploma in their hands, 1,500
graduates marched down the stage to the tune of Osmena High March.

Parody Lead. Consist of a Parody of a well-known song, poems or lines.

Example: Water, water everywhere, but no water to drink. This was what the food
victims found in their dismay.

Punch Lead. A short, forceful word or expression. It is rarely used.

Example: Victory Day! Magsaysay High School celebrated on March 18 its fifth
Victory in the city-wide journalism contest.

One Word Lead.

 Example: March! Thus, ordered Hi-Y president Lina Jr of Osmena High School to
start the “Walk for Health” fund raising drive.

Quotation Lead. Consist of speaker’s direct words which are very striking and
which are usually quoted from speech, a public address, or an interview.
Example: “The youth in the New Republic have become partners of the government
in its struggle for progress and advancement,” thus spoke PNU Director Rene Romero
to some 400 student delegates to the 2006 Hi-Y-Y-Teens Leadership Training Seminar
held on December 26-30 at the Edilberto Dagot Hall.

Question Lead. An answer to a question which is the basis of the news story.
Example: Who will reign as Miss Intramural’s this year? This will be known on
August 8 after the final screening to be held at the PNU Gym and Performing Arts
Center.

Exercise
DIRECTIONS: Tell what kind of lead is used in the following:
1. Supt. Erlinda Lolarga was the guest speaker during the investiture of boy scouts
held Jan. 15 at Carlos P. Garcia High School
2. They shall not win!
This was announced by Roxas High School basketball coach Gery Misajon when he
spoke to his team before they left for the games.
3. He used to be a mechanic. Now, he is president of a university.
4. Who do you think will be elected Miss High School? This, everyone wants to know
as Torres High School Day fast approaches.
5. To upgrade the teaching of Journalism, the PNULS Torchbearer bought 20 volumes
of journalism books recently.
6. Dressed in caps and gowns, and with diplomas in their hands, the graduate sang
their farewell song to their alma mater.
7. "This year is indeed Roxas High School Year!"
Thus spoke Asst. Principal Adela Mejorada as she received from DCS Asst. Supt.
the trophy won by the school in the National Weightlifting Tournament.
8. There was food and fun galore!
The student body of Recto High School held an excursion in La Mesa Dam last
Sunday.
9. Having written the best essay in Animal Week, Arlyn Limcolioc of Laurel High
School received the DCS gold medal from Principal Dominador Wingsing,
10. Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.

Exercise
DIRECTIONS: Find facts on the following leads:

1. On Saturday, April 30, the moon will pass directly in front of the sun causing a
total eclipse for half an hour. (WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?)
2. To raise funds for the construction of five more classrooms, the Parent-Teacher
Association will sponsor a beauty contest Saturday night at the school social hall.
(WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?)
3. Sen. Alberto Romulo today, appealed for the immediate concurrence by the Lower
House of a Senate-approved bill to repeal all automatic appropriations for foreign
debt payment. (WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?)
4. Because of the succesful visit of the Philippine President to the United States
and Canada recently, the Department of Trade and Industry is revising upward the
investment and export targets for the said countries. (WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY?
HOW?)
5. The imposition of a rwal estate bonanza was proposed Nov. 21 to raise additional
revenues for the government by increasing the price of petroleum products. (WHO?
WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?)
Exercise: Writing Summary Leads
DIRECTIONS: Write summary leads on the following facts which are given at random.
Start by answering right away the W and H which you think is more prominent.

1. - The party will be held at the PNU COnference Hall, June 16.
- It will be held in honor of Dr. Alfonso O. Santiago who will retire on May 16.
- Doctor Santiago is Dean of the School of Languages and Linguistics.
- Atty. Lilia S. Garcia, vice president for Administrative Affairs, will be the
guest speaker.
- The PNU Faculty Association is sponsoring the party.

2. - reforestation drive
- held at the foot of Mt. Arayat in Pampanga
- last April 16
- Local boy scouts participated in the tree-palnting activities
- They were headed by Scout Master Isauro Garcia

3. - Seven students of Araullo High School helped promote civic projects and
welfare services.
- They were cited Aug. 10 by the Manila YMCA.
- The program was held at the Youth Center Auditorium, YMCA Building on Aroceros
st.
- The activity is an annual affair of the YMCA of Manila.

4. - seminar on population education

- third of a series
- being currently held this year in Abad Santos High School
- reason: in observance of World Population Year
- held Oct. 29 at the school scoial hall

5. - a week-long conference
- theme: "Discipline as a Way of Life"
- Baguio City, Dec. 17-21
- some 300 Hi-Yers from Manila public and private high schools
- The delegates cincluded today the week-long conference
- The seminar was sponsored by the Division of City Schools, Manila with the
cooperation of the YMCA of Manila

Exercise: Writing Questions Leads

DIRECTIONS: Write quotation leads based on the following facts which are given at
random. Don't forget your newspeg after the quotation. YOu may place this at the
second paragraph if you desire.
1. Who: Dr. Gloria S. Salandanan, President, Philippine Normal University
What: Induction of newly-elected officers of College Advisers Association
Where: PNU Conference Hall
When: Sept. 5
Quoate (message): "I commend your objectives in moulding the youth towards a
true balanced development of the midn, body, and spirit."
"But this kind of youth development is of no consequence if it
is not dedicated to God, humanity, family, and to yourself."

2. Who: Dr. Crisanto RIvera, Torch adviser, Philippine Normal University

What: National Workshop on Campus Journalism
Where: LSC Auditorium
When: Nov. 18
Quoate (Core of his speech): "Although the traditional role of the press is to
inform, to educate, to interpret, and to entertain, the fast changing world has
added another one, its community and educational role.
"The more the student editors know about their
school and community, the more professional, journalistically speaking, their
school papers will become."

3. Who: Judel A. Roman, new chief editor of The Torchbearer, school paper of the
Philippine Normal University Laboratory School
What: First meeting of the editorial staff
Where: Journalism Room
When: July 15
Quote (Contention): "First, let's subject the student press to critical self-
examination to become an effective instrument for development and change. High
School papers find themselves under ceaseless and ruthless pressure. They are urged
to be either conservative, liberal or radical."

4. Who: Fr. Jose Ruiz, parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
What: Araw ng Maynila celebration at the School Social Hall
Where: Lakandula High School
When: Friday, June 24
Quote (Homily): "In this era of fast social change, through our prayers when we
clasp our hands together, despair has no room."

5. Who: Mrs. Gloria Gonzales, school nurse

What: Random checkup of some sickly-looking students
Where: School clinic, Osmeña High School
When: Aug. 4-5
Quote (Contention): "Ignorance, not poverty, causes malnutrition in the child.
Many parents believe that when they stuff their children with any kind of food,
they already fed them."

Exercise: Identifying News Values

DIRECTIONS: As a beginning reporter, you need to recognize the news is more closely
related to your readers. You can relate news to several factors which can help you
in judging its importance.
You are now preparing your first issue of your school paper.
Followingare facts you have gathered. If you think a news factor is present in the
item, put check (/) on the blank under Column A; but if you think a news factor is
missing, put an (X) mark. Then on the blank under Column B, write the word or words
that make the item not newsworthy.

1. The school's swimming team lost in the practice competition held three days ago.
2. Your school will perform at Cultural Center of the Philippines Sunday night.
3. The national government will subsidize the expenses for all journalism seminars,
conferences, and contests in pursuance of R.A. 7079 entitled "Campus Journalism Act
of 1991."
4. The president of the Student Council of your school won state scholarship.
5. Journalism students in a nearby school will meet tomorrow.
6. The head of the English Department of your school has been promoted as
principal.
7. The superintendent of your Division celebrates her birthday.
8. Your journalism class will hold an excursion to Tagaytay City next week.
9. DECS approved a ten percent increase in tuition fee.
10. Your school paper copped eleventh place in newspaper contest at the NSSPC.

Exercise: Evaluating the News

Newspaper editors usually try to print most important news on the first page. As we
have already learned, the story that is givem the largest headline is called the
top story or banner story. But how does an editor decide which story is most
important and deserves to be the top story? He must rely on his judgement. Now do
Exercises A and B.
A. DIRECTIONS: You are preparing the front page of your school paper. Grade and
number the following stories according to importance.
1. Your school paper places third in the regional group contest.
2. The pricnipal will speak before teh student body to explain reasons for closing
the clinic.
3. The editorial staff will visit Agoo, La Union to see the "dancing sun"
4. The Vice President of the Philippines will be the guest speaker in your
forthcoming Foundation Day.
5. The superintended to your Division will have a social trip to Japan.
6. The Parent-Teachers Association approved the construction of ten more
classrooms.
7. Your mathematics teacher eloped with the security guard.
8. Your school will host the Division Athletic Meet.
9. A community member donates P50,000 for the renovation of the library.
10. The social science class visited a farm in the community where n old man has
raised squash as big basins and 50 fat hogs in his backyard.

B. DIRECTIONS: Grade the following headlines as to priority.

1. Principal celebrates wedding anniversary.
2. Local staffers attend press confab.
3. Values Education, theme of SSG seminar.
4. DECS secretary FOundation Day speaker.
5. School tops regional Science Quiz.
6. Journalism class holds excursion.
7. English teacher promoted department head
8. Assistant Principal retires
9. 7 dismissed teachers back to work
10. 20 NPA's surrender.

Various Types of News Structure

There are different kinds of news structures. The most common among them are
diagrammed and explained as follows.

1. Straight News Story

a. The summary lead answers the most important W’s depending on which of the W’s
is the most prominent among them.
b. The body consists of the elaboration of the W’s and the H.

Example:
The Torres Goldies ripped the Laurel Greenies last week at the Torres High
School oval because of better team work, 65-60. (Lead)
The Torres team was composed of Antonio Oropeza, captain; Rogelio Romero,
forward; Seki Santos, and Dioscoro Reyes, guards. (Elaboration of the WHO)
The game was held in the evening of Sept. 10 in connection with the celebration
of Barangay Day. The Greenies’ defeat was the first they suffered in the current
invitational games. (Elaboration of WHEN and WHO)
The Goldies played smoothly. They did not shoot for the basket until they were
near it. The cheering squads kept the players’ morale high. (Elaboration of the
HOW)

2. News Feature Story

News- feature should not be confused with feature articles (features) which are
sometimes called special features and printed in the features sections of the
newspapers or in magazines.
Human interest and news-feature stories are classified as news since both are
gathered and written daily by reporters as their regular assignments. Furthermore,
both emphasize the element of timeliness or immediacy which distinguishes news from
the other types of reading, although they differ in important respects from the
straight news story.

Example:
The Yuletide season danced into the school campus in a riot of multicolored
lights and X’mas decors hung upon everywhere and every way.
However, the Christmas celebration reached its climax when the traditional
lantern parade participated in by the students, teachers, parents, community and
barangay members was held.
To make the occasion more symbolic and relevant, each unit carried its own
placard for identification while the members carried lanterns, torches and whatever
motif they wanted to depict such as the Nativity, the visit of the Magi, and the
Hegira.
The objectives of The College such as the CLEAN and beautification drives were
also portrayed.

Since 1987
The revival of the lantern parade started in December, 1987 when the school also
revived the holding the duplo and the comedic.
Since then, the lantern parade has been held annually. However, it was only this
year that the parade was most colorful in consonance with the City Mayor’s aim to
revive and preserve beautiful Filipino culture.

3. Fact Story
This is a plain exposition of a simple situation or of a series of closely
related events which conform to the inverted pyramid design more closely than any
other kinds of news. The component parts are the series of fact that may be likened
to rectangles of diminishing length arranged one after the other in order of their
importance.
The key to proper arrangement consists solely in judging the relative value of
the data at hand and in grouping them in their respective order.

Example:
Kabataang Barangay leaders in Zone 15, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila met at Osmena
High School and launched “Operation Ugnayan.” The project aimed to curb community
problems caused by juvenile delinquents, and to reactivate community projects
started by the City Council but which had slackened due to lack of leadership.
Present in the youth meeting were school administrators, teachers, and adult
Barangay leaders acting as advisers. (Lead Facts)
Report reaching the KB concerning drunk outsiders, dope pushers, extortionists
and vandals molesting students spurred the youth Barangay officers to meet and to
offer solution to the problems.
School officials confirmed to the youth leaders the truth of the reports.
(Secondary facts)
Kabataang Barangay chairman Reynaldo Malonzo suggested the organization of
rondas to curb the theft, robbery, holdup, and bag snatching operations that have
surfaced in the community.
Principal Mabini S. Gonzales lauded the youth leaders. She asked them to help
solve the deteriorating peace and order condition in the community.
“You are their peers,” she said, “and you understand their problems better.”
(Fact III)
Besides tackling the peace and order problems, the youth leaders also mapped
out plans to reactivate the different campaigns launched by the MMC such as the
Green Revolution, food production, and the CLEAN and beautification drives.
KB 176 chairman Carolina Zamora suggested a house-to-house campaign to induce
the residents to get involved in the various community projects. She also batted
for the holding of sports activities “to divert the youth’s attention from
mischief.” (Fact IV)
4. Action Story
This is a narrative involving not merely simple facts, but dramatic actions-
incidents, description of persons, perhaps testimonies of witnesses, as well as
explanatory data.
In writing this kind of story, first write a summarizing lead in any appropriate
form. Relate the most important details in narrative or chronological form. Tell
the story again, giving more details. But be careful not to begin the chronological
order just after the beginning. Give sufficient attention to the elaboration of
important information, background and interpretation. Each unit must be closely
interlocked.

Example:

Even before the elected officers of the Supreme Hi-Y Club were inducted into
office, they had rolled up their sleeves and began implementing “Operation Linis,”
one of the campaigns launched by Mapa High School. (Lead incident told)
Armed with brooms, brushes, pails of water and soap, they gave the school a
fresh bath. Because of lack water due to electric power breakdown, the local Hi-
Yers fetched water from nearby houses. (More details retold)
The work was focused on the rain-soaked rooms, the stinking toilets, and the
writing on the walls. They also removed all eyesores like the broken chairs dumped
in the corridors and repaired all broken panes and doors. (More details retold)
After the work, the officers met in the office of the principal and decide to
work for the total development of students through a complete program of study,
cultural activity, sports, and physical development. (More details retold)

5. Speech report, quote, and interview stories

The arrangement of a speech report, a quote story, and of an interview are to a
great extent similar.
The quote story may be charted as alternating large and small rectangles of
diminishing sizes: summary, quote, summary, quote, summary arrangement. The
quotations may be direct, indirect, or a combination of both.
In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions may be helpful: 1)
Write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form, 2) Write the body of the story in
a summary-quote-summary arrangement.
The lead may be a summarizing statement- the gist of the speech, statement,
letter, or interview: or it may be the most important quotation in the story
written as a direct quote.

Examples:

QUOTE STORY

“Ignorance, not poverty causes malnutrition in the child.”

This was the contention of Mrs. Gloria Gonzales, school nurse after she had
made a check-up of some sickly-looking students, July 23. She found out that 40
percent of those examined were suffering from eye diseases caused by Vitamin A
deficiency in their diet.
“The students were not poor. The way they dressed and the way they talked of
their homes proved this,” the nurse said.
“Many parents believe that when they stuff their children with any kind of
food, they have already fed them,” she said. “They have a wrong concept that food
value is taken only from ham, eggs, cheese, milk, and salad. This is better
procured from fish, especially dilis, legumes, and vegetables which are relatively
cheap at this time when the value of the peso has shrunk,” she added.
The nurse also added that it was only a matter of knowing what food to eat and
how much was needed for proper nutrition.
Mrs. Gonzales lamented the fact that the diseases the students suffered from
were caused not by viruses but by ignorance. She said that they could have been
avoided had their mothers only known what kind of food they should have given to
their children.

SPEECH REPORT

“I commend your objectives in molding the youth towards a true balanced

development of the mind, body, and spirit.
“But his kind of duty development is of no consequence if it is not dictated to
God, humanity, family, and the self.”
This was the message of DCS Supt. Josefina R. Navarro when she talked to the
newly inducted officers of the Hi-Y board, Sept. 5 at the YMCA Forum Hall, Youth
Center, Manila.
Dr. Navarro advised the board members to exemplify their faith in the oath they
had just read.
“Consider every student a potential contribution to the country. There is no
such thing as a stupid student. Each one was created in the image of God. Remind
them, lead them by the hand, show them how, and guide them,” the superintended
said.
On the other hand, Dr. Navarro challenged the Hi-Y advisers present “to carry
on your task with dedication and to learn to accept the demands of society.”
“Your responsibility to the students, to the parents, to yourself, to the
country, and to God is very important,” she added.
Finally, Dr. Navarro, who participated in the candlelight ceremony, commended
the principals and other school officials who attended the program.
The newly inducted board member officers were Carlito Reyes, president;
Ceciliano Jose Cruz, vice president; Tita Palad, secretary; Fructuosa Castro,
treasurer; and Ariston Corpuz, auditor.

Do's and Don'ts in Writing a News Story

Finally, the reporter, after gathering his facts, writes his news story. In doing
this, he should:
1. Write the story immediately.
2. Play up the dominant points.
3. Be accurate and truthful.
4. Avoid opinions called editorializing; and use adjectives sparingly.
5. Avoid libelous, seditious and rebellious matter; prejuidice, and bad taste.
6. Give the source (attribution) of the news.
7. Write names in full when these are mentioned for the first time.
8. Identify the names mentioned.
9. Watch out for errors in fact, grammar, structure, and style.
10. Observe the guidelines for clear and effective writing (unity, coherence,
emphasis, brevity, clarity, etc.)

Guidelines in Writing a News Story

There is no "absolute" rule in journalistic writing. There are only guidelines,
some of which are:
1. Give your lead sentence a "punch" to catch the interest of the readers.
2. Start wth the most important event or idea.
3. Use the rule of proximity and explain how the news will affect the people in
the locality or the students in the school.
4. If your story has something unusual or novel to tell, bank on that for the
lead. It's hot copy.
5. Make your sentences concise and clear so that they could be easily understood.
Long tedious sentences will likely "kill" the readers' interest. Besides, they
usually "lose" the readers along the way, News stories are not "pleasure" reading.
They have the basic function to inform.
6. Use simple words. Using highfalutin words does nit prove anything but pedantry
and literary pretentions. Even literary writers try as much as possible to use
simple words. If literary write-ups are loaded with the so-called high words, it's
because the writer cannot find word-substitutes without sacrificing some
"undertones" or literary effects. In journalism, there is no such thing as
undertones.
7. Never be afraid of breaking the rules if it will prove helpful in making a
good copy. The editors will understand it when they see there's no other way in
salvaging what would otherwise have been a bad copy.

Exercises: WRITING EXERCISE

A. Writing Straight News
DIRECTIONS: Write a straight (fact) news story based on the following details which
are given at random. Follow the inverted pyramid structure.
- program on Oct. 10 (this year), Monday, 3 p.m., Social Hall
- sponsored by Junior Assembly
- to honor Albert Francia, "Mambibigkas ng Taon," Jubaira Roga, "Mutya ng
Maynila," Alex Ross SOlivert, 2nd place in the "Timpalak Bigkasan"
- officers of the Junior Assembly; Judel Roman, president; Reineier Magnayon, vice
president; Shiela Camacho, secretary-treasurer; Mr. Rodrigo Duque, adviser.
- other program highlights: folk dance, III-1 girls, vocal solo, Jacel Kiram;
musical number, PNCLS rondalla

B. Writing Straight Action Story

DIRECTIONS: Write an action story based in the following facts given at random:
- Heavy rains, according to a military report-triggered the landslide.
- Seven unidentified bodies have been recovered and seven survivors taken to a
hospital for treatment, said Sgt. Angelito Bongosia, a deputy officer at the
Regional Unified Command in Davao City.
- About 100 people were buried in a landslide.
- Date: yesterday (supply the date)
- Second such disaster in a week.
- At gold mining site in Davao del Norte, in a Diat Village 30 kilometers north of
Pantukan
- The avalenche killed the gold miners and their families.
- Military scout rangers and volunteers from a local miner's association are
continuing searcg and rescue efforts, the report said.
- The landslide was the latest disaster at the gold mining site in Davao which has
attracted thousands of fortune hunters mostly farmers.
- Using picks and chisels, the miners who often bring along their families burrow
into the mountains and scoop up earth containing gold dust.
- They wash the gold in streams or rivers using wooden pans.

C. Writing Speech/Quote News

DIRECTIONS: Write a speech story based on the following facts. USe the direct
quotation lead.

What: Nutrition Program-Symposium

Sponsored by the Future Homemakers' Club of the PNU Laboratory School heldin
connection with the celebration of National Nutrition Month.
Theme: "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body"
Who: H.E. Department, sponsor of the essay and slogan contests
Mrs. Rosario Baltazar, head of the H.E. Department - introduced the guest
speaker. She said:
"Malnourished people lack energy and enthusiasm"
"They are those who seldom talk"
Mrs. Ofelia Bernardino, nutrition researcher, Nutrition Research Center of
the Philippines (Guest speaker). She said:
"Ignorance, not poverty is the cause of malnutrition among students."
"A family need not have much money to but nutritious food, but must have the
proper guidelines in choosing the right kind of food."
"Food nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins are not sufficiently taken
in by Filipino children."
"I am sad to say that low food production and over population are
contributing factors to the nutrition problems of our country." (her conclusion)
When: Oct. 25, 2019
Where: PNU Laboratory School Auditorium

D. Writing Police Reports

DIRECTIONS: Write a straight (fire) story based on the following facts: News is
factual, but for this writing exercise, supply the facts asked for.
- Fire broke iut in commercial district in Palayan City (Name the district)
- It happened at 6 p.m., April 5.
- The cause of the fire is undetermined
- Three persons were killed and five were reported injured. (Supply their names,
ages and professions or work, if any.)
- P2.5 M worth of property was damaged.