Republic of the Philippines

Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot

Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

Subject: Campus Journalism

Instructor: Darrel M. Ocampo
Reporter: Rona B. Ponayo
LECTURE GUIDE

I. Topic: Chapter 3: The News: A Backgrounder

II. Objectives:
1. Define news.
2. Enumerate the characteristics of news.
3. Differentiate the types of news stories.
4. Write short newspaper stories.
III. Outline/Discussion
A. Understanding News
According to Soriano et al. (2012), news is any oral or written report of an event
that happened, is happening, will happen in the North, East, West and South (NEWS).
Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out the news is
basically about an event, idea, or a reaction that is presented factually and simply in
written form to give the reader an idea of what is currently happening around him or her,
particularly on matters of interest to the community.
From the definition above, news can be coined by stating that it is a timely
reportage of events, regardless of time and manner, which are grounded on facts.
B. News in School Papers
News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of students like:
opening of a new college, inauguration of the new building, stories of success, conflicts
or suspense, school convocations and other programs, interviews of visiting personalities,
merging of two colleges, increasing tuition and other fees, etc.
C. Characteristics of a Good News
1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This element emphasizes the newest angle of the story. The more recent the event,
the more interesting it is to the reader. For instance, the changing of the grading

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 Republic of the Philippines
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot
Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

system which was announced yesterday is more appealing to a student other than the
Christmas party last December.
2. Conflict
This may involve physical or mental conflict. In campus context, competitions
like oratorical contests and quiz bee are newsworthy due to the mental conflicts
present.
3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it likewise means
nearness of interest and appeal. In the context of news writing in the campus or
school for students in Batanes what is happening to Batanes State University College
will be of more interest to them than what is happening to Western Mindanao State
University.
4. Accuracy
Accuracy primarily refers to the factualness of news as surveyor of the truth.
Newswriting is a journalistic skill therefore the content should be accurately reported.
5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the news. Hence a
writer should survey whatever is significant to the life of the target readers and write
about it. In the campus setting, topics that are highly significant includes new rules
imposed by the administration or the student government, amendments to policies,
upcoming big events, etc.
6. Prominence and Names
“The world is unfair,” so the adage goes. Popular names can effectuate situations
and their acts may be more interesting to others. For campus papers, prominent
personalities include the president of the student body, the principal, the student who
won in a national competition, etc.
7. Drama
This adds color to the story. The more the picturesque the background and the
more dramatic the actions are, the more appealing the story is to the reader. The

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 Republic of the Philippines
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot
Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

public certainly loves a good show. For instance you write a story of the student
leader who manages to graduate as magna cum laude despite in his five-year term as
the College Student Government President.
8. Oddity or Unusualness
This refers to the strange or unnatural events, objects, persons, and places. An odd
story is interesting not because of its news value but because of the human-interest
side of it. Looking into the campus situation, one may write about a forty-year old
student who has just graduated in college degree.
9. Romance and Adventure
“Love makes the world go round”, so a song says. Hence stories about love,
including adventure may ignite the taste of the reading public.
10. Progress
Attaining breakthroughs and achieving scientific discoveries are given much
attention by the readers. Looking into school situation, progress may in the form of a
newly constructed building and newly donated laboratory equipment from alumni.
11. Numbers
Many names would also make many readers. Numbers or figures are parts of
reports on a good number of newsworthy events. This is why numbers yield a very
strong impact on the readers.
D. Types of News Stories
1. According to Chronology or Sequence
a. Spot News- as the term suggests, this is a news story that gathers information as it
is broadcast at the same time. Hence it is unscheduled and demands immediate
publication. For instance, a student journalist happens to be standing at the gate
when a jeepney bumps an education student. He writes the story and publishes it
in the weekly newsletter of the college.
b. Coverage News- many interchange spot news and coverage news. Though both of
them are good avenues for firsthand information, the difference between the two

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 Republic of the Philippines
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot
Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

is that coverage news is written based on the given assignment to the reporter or
news writer.
c. Advance News- when a writer crafts news about an upcoming event, say, meeting
de avance of running student leaders, change of opening of classes for the next
academic year and announcements of new uniforms to take effect next semester,
he/she actually writes an advance news.
d. Follow-up News- while advance news is predictive, follow-up news looks into the
upshot to an event or situation.
2. According to Range and Reach
a. Local News- reports of events that take place within the immediate locality
b. National News- news that takes place within the country
c. Foreign News- news that takes place outside the country
d. Dateline News- news preceded by the date and place of origin or place where it
was written or filed
3. According to Construction
a. Straight News- consists of facts given straight without embellishment. It uses the
summary lead and is written using the inverted pyramid structure and it aims to
inform.
b. News Feature- featurized news distinguished from a feature article and based on
facts but entertains more than informs. In writing a news-feature, the writer may
give his impressions, describe and narrate, but without resorting to biased opinion,
without editorializing.
i. Single-Feature or One-Incident Story- deals with an isolated event to
which a single fact is featured in the lead and is explained further in the
succeeding paragraphs.
ii. The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story- it has several
facts included in the lead in order of importance.
c. Fact Story- a plan exposition setting forth a single situation or a series of closely
related facts that inform and it is written using inverted pyramid design.

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 Republic of the Philippines
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot
Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Second Semester SY 2019-2020

d. Action Story- involves not mere simple facts but also of dramatic events,
description of persons and events, testimony of witnesses, as well as explanatory
data.
e. Speech, Report, Quote, and Interview Stories- news story usually written from a
public address, talks, and speeches (speech); speeches, statements, and letters, and
to some extent interviews when reported (quote story); news report written from
an interview (interview story).
4. Minor News Forms
a. News Brief- this is a short item of news interest, written like a brief, telegraphic
message. It gives mainly the result with few details.
b. News Bulletin- it is similar to the lead of a straight news story. Its aim is just to
give the gist of the news.
c. News Featurette- this is a short news feature usually used a fillers say quirks in
the news.
d. Sidebar- it is 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.
e. Flash- this is a message giving first brief news of an event. It is usually boxed.

IV. References
Bulusan, F. (2016). Campus Journalism Within your reach. 776 Aurora Blvd.,cor.
Boston Street, Cubao Quezon City, Metro Manila: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

Prepared by:

RONA B. PONAYO

BSEd-3English

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