QUARTER 1

WEEK 1
Lesson 1: Advanced Writing for Print (Investigative, In Depth, Composite News)

INTRODUCTION
This lesson will lead you to understand and explore advanced news writing. At the end
of this lesson, you are expected to:

● Write different types of news (composite, in-depth, and investigative) based on any recent
happenings in school or community. (SPJ8NEW-Ia-3)

A.

TASK 1. Fill-in Puzzle

Let us see if you can still remember the types of journalistic writing. Read the clues
below and fill in the correct answer.

Across
2. An author writes in a personal style about events experiences and issues
4. Relays facts, events and information in a straightforward and unbiased manner
5. Partly opinion and partly fact based
Down
1. Aims to uncover the truth about a specific subject, person, or event
3. Aims to provide a detailed description of a place, person, idea or organization
TASK 2: Analyze It!
Read the headlines. Can you identify what kind of news are these? Choose your answer from the box
below.
Sports feature Investigative Column Review Science
feature

1. ___________________________________

2.
____________________________________

3.
_________________________________

4.
__________________________________

5. __________________________________

B.

TASK 3. What is it?

News is noteworthy information about current events printed in newspapers or broadcasted by

the media. News can be composite, in-depth or investigative.
Investigative news aims discover and uncover the truth about a certain subject, person, or event
such as but not limited to serious crimes, corruption or corporate wrongdoing. (Wikipedia)
In-depth news intends to dig far below the surface. It does intensive research and rigorous
investigation into an issue. In-depth news covers and explores one aspect of a story, more often than
not, focusing on elements of HOW and WHY. It goes beyond simple facts and include background
information.
Both in depth and investigative news demand a lot of research. Many news writers follow the
Wall Street Journal writing model.
 On the other hand, investigative news story is longer and consumes more time than in depth
news. In depth stories come AFTER the news break whereas an investigative story may come as a result
of a TIP and BEFORE the news break of.
Composite news is a combination of two or more news topics put together for the sake of
coherence and space. It is composed of units, each one made of fresh spot news. All the features in a
comprehensive lead must be included in the order of their importance. Next step is to explain and
elaborate in the body each feature in the order in which they are in the lead in order to put the less
important details to less important position. Nevertheless, each unit of facts although covered
separately must be handled as a unified story.

TASK 4. Break It
You have read the distinguishing characteristics of investigative, in depth and composite news. Now, it’s
your time to put what you understood into writing. Write at least one characteristic of each news
writing type.

INVESTIGATIVE NEWS
_______________________________________

IN DEPTH NEWS
______________________________________

COMPOSITE NEWS _____________________________________

TASK 5. Read me

TASK 6. Follow up!

Have you read the news? Now answer the questions below.

1. What kind of news story is this?

____________________________________________________

2. What are the characteristics of this news story?

______________________________________________________________________________
C.

TASK 7. Try this!

Work with a group. Since many in depth and investigative news stories adapt the Wall Street Journal
Formula, you will have the chance to try it first- hand. Think about an interesting story in your
community that you would like to work on.

WALL STREET JOURNAL FORMULA STORY

HEADLINE: _________________________________________________

Information to be gathered Prewriting

The soft lead: Can have one or multiple, short
paragraphs
(Describe the main person in your story Use
present tense.)

The nut graf: can have one or more short

paragraphs
(Identify what your story is all about and why
your audience should continue reading it)

The body: consists of multiple paragraphs that

alternate between types of information below
• Information about the issue from your
research. • Information you learned from sources
you interviewed. • Interesting quotes from you

The circle kicker: one or multiple, short

paragraphs • Return to the person identified in
your soft lead.
TASK 8. True or False

Read the statements below. Check the corresponding box, choose TRUE if you think the statement is
correct and FALSE if you think the statement is incorrect.

Statements TRUE FALSE

1. Investigative news writing is more time-consuming than in-depth new writing

2. Composite news is composed of units, each one made of fresh and past news

3. In-depth stories come after the news break.

4. Composite news story covers one aspect of a story often focusing on elements of
how and why.

5. In depth and investigative does not demand a lot of research.

D.

TASK 9. Compare and Contrast

Give at least 2 features of each journalistic writing type.

Investigative News In Depth News Composite News

TASK 10. What’s in the News!

Work with your group. Choose one from the three news writing type (investigative, in depth, composite)
and try to write your own news story. You can use your drafts on TASK 7.

______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

E.

TASK 11. My Reflection

1. What journalistic writing type do you like the most? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. If given the chance to write an in depth news, what topic would you choose? Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

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