NEWS WRITING - CAMPUS JOURNALISM

What is NEWS?
Is new information or current events

What to know?
Angle (Anggulo) - It talks about what the writer wants to highlight in the article.
“Look for the perfect angle”. What is newsworthy?

THE INVERTED PYRAMID

- PINAKAMAHALAGA / LEAD

- SUPPORTING DATA

- INFO THAT LEAST SUPPORT THE DATA

 Answer before explanations

 Summaries before details
 Conclusions before discussions
 General statement before specifies

5W’s and 1H
 Who
 What
 When
 Where
 Why
 How

LEAD
- Is the opening sentence or paragraph.
- Determine which of the five W’s and H is the most important to your story,
and then place those element in the lead.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR A GOOD LEAD?

1. Keep it short, 35 words or less are preferred
2. Get to the point
3. Answer the ‘So what’
EXAMPLE #1
(Incomplete lead)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P192 million for its
community seed bank (CSB) and seed production program.

(Correct lead)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P192 million for its
community seed bank (CSB) and seed production program to enable farmers
to produce their own requirement of certified seeds every cropping season.

EXAMPLE #2
(Incomplete lead)
Sinuportahan ng kagawaran ng Edukasyon at Lokal na Pamahalaan ng
Tanza ang kampanya ng Department of Health laban sa dengue.

(Correct lead)
Bilang tugon sa pagsugpo ng lumalalang kaso ng dengue sa bansa,
sinuportahan ng kagawaran ng Edukasyon at Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Tanza
ang kampanya ng Department of Health laban sa dengue.

4. A lead paragraph limited to one sentence is preferred.

5. Avoid starting lead with “When” or “Where” unless the time or place is
unusual. Most leads start with “Who” or “What”.

BODY
- States the supporting data

1. Keep paragraphs short

2. Paragraphs limited to one to two sentences are preferred. But one
sentence is enough.
3. Each paragraph should contain only one idea.

BODY
1 Paragraph
1 Sentence
1 Idea

POINTERS TO REMEMBER:
 Be accurate
 Be objective. Writer is detached from the report/event
 Look for the unusual (new angle).
 Eliminate the word “that” whenever possible.

EXAMPLE:
Meanwhile, Alcala said they may seek additional budget from the Department
of Budget (DBM) to meet its palay procurement targets for this year.

 For past events, report it happened “Friday”. Not “last Friday.” Eliminate
the word “last”. For future events, report it will happen “Monday” Not “Next
Monday”, eliminate the word next.
 Avoid the contractions (he’d. they’d)
 Use third person (She,he,its,her,hers,him,his,they,them,their,theirs) in
news stories.
 Use active voice - Some does something
 Passive voice - Something is done by someone
 Avoid using the same word twice in a sentence, use synonym.

HEADLINE
- Use present tense

BODY
- Use past tense
 TECHNICAL GUIDES IN EDITORIAL WRITING

WRITING YOUR TITLE

 Maximum of 4 words. Avoid a sentence - like structure for your title.
 Your title should already give an OPINION particularly on your stand
Examples:
 BETRAYED TRUST
 DACERA SLAY: CASE CLOSED?
 GAHAMAN SA POSISYON
 DALE SA PUBLIC TRIAL

FIRST PARAGRAPH
 At least 3 sentences
 Include the NEWSPEG

NEWSPEG
 is a news story that forms the basis of opinion/justification
 It could be written at the first or second sentence.
 The other two sentences should be an opinion about the NEWSPEG
 Dito nanggagaling ang iyong opinyon, pwede mo siya ilagay depende sa
istilo ng iyong pagsulat.

EXAMPLE:
While the government scrambles to contain the deadly corona virus despite
imposing a strict nationwide lock downs at the onset of the pandemic and
time-to-time closing of the country’s borders, the escalating issue regarding
the decision of the current administration to choose a less effective and more
expensive vaccine coming from China becomes a major headache for most
Filipino which the government continues to ignore (NEWSPEG). It is truly
disappointing that the negligence and incompetence of most of the higher
public officials continue to become ‘a normal’ in the Philippines’ political
setting. And that is more burdensome knowing how immense the effect would
be once this Sinovac vaccine which is reported by several countries to have
only 50% efficacy rate proves to be ineffective.

SECOND PARAGRAPH
 At least 3-4 sentences
 Write your strong evidence here from the newspeg.
 Then add your opinions based on that evidences.

EXAMPLE:
Recently, Brazil, which was badly hit by this virus, found that China’s Sinovac
was only 50.4% effective based on their clinical trials conducted by the
researchers. Comparing to Pfizer’s and Moderna’s 95% efficacy and Oxford’s
70% Sinovac vaccine creates more speculations and anxiety rather than
satisfaction and cure (EVIDENCE). And these are signs of how people
becomes suspicious of the said vaccine not only because of its low percent
efficacy but the failure of assuring the people of any further complications.
Instead of alleviating the pain caused by the infectious of Covid-19, it will just
worsen the mental and psychological imbalance on them and of the people
who feared that something might happen to them when this vaccine is
injected to their body (OPINION).

THIRD PARAGRAPH
 At least 3-4 sentences
 Add more opinions BUT with evidences

EXAMPLE:
Moreover, with the kind of decision making this current government is
showing, it is fair to say that turning down Sinovac will be a much better
choice and hope that soon, leaders would figure out why the people declined
to not be vaccinated. Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in
his press briefing that people should not be choosy of the vaccine
(EVIDENCE) however, he overlooked the clear that it is not about being picky
but the fact that the government could have chosen something better when all
the details regarding the vaccines are well-spread all over social media and
many health agencies like WHO in particular.

FOURTH PARAGRAPH
 At least 3-4 sentences
 You must contradict your previous opinions here by citing some facts or
reasons.
 But quickly revert to your original stand
 You may contradict your opinion by giving credible information or facts.
Oppose it from your first 3 paragraphs pero bumalik ka sa original mong
stand

EXAMPLE:
Nevertheless, the deal on the procurement of Sinovac vaccine was already
approved and in few weeks, the people has to decide (if they have a choice)
whether to accept or reject the vaccine offered by the government. As Roque
said, the Filipino should be just thankful and stop complaining but the mere
fact that this vaccine could pose more danger in our health is quite disturbing.
Not to mention the domino effect of Dengvaxia failure where people became
hesitant of taking any vaccine because of its controversy. (REVERTING TO
ORIGINAL STAND )

FIFTH PARAGRAPH
 At least 3-4 sentences
 Discuss your original stand here but mention more strong evidences

EXAMPLE:
Furthermore, what makes it more troubling is the fact that Sinovac’s price is
quite expensive compared to other companies offering the same covid-19
vaccine. Considering how the Philippine economy suffered because of the
closure of most businesses due to lockdowns, It is highly impractical for the
government to choose a vaccine that would cost more but the effect is unsure.
To note, Sinovac would cost a total amount of P3629 for two doses compared
to Astrazeneca’s P610 only and Pfizer’s P2379 (FACT/EVIDENCES). The
answer to the people’s resentment is pretty obvious from the figures itself and
it is so frustrating that the government could not see the glaring difference -
the efficacy and market place.

LAST PARAGRAPH
 At least 3-4 sentences
 Write your suggestions/solutions/recommendations
 Here on how to deal with the issue

EXAMPLE:
Hence, the country needs a solution that does not compromises the national
budget especially in this trying times where financial support is much needed
to recover from the economic downfall. The huge amount of money that would
and could have been saved out of procuring the Sinovac vaccine is
tantamount to trust and if the government could find a better way to solve the
easiest puzzle, this strong word could be given back to them. All these
leaders should do is to think practically coming from their heart and mind not
from surge of emotions
(SOLUTIONS/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS).

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
1. Use third person only (us,ours,tayo) if you are going to use pronouns or
better yet, avoid using them.
2. DO NOT USE first and second person (I,me,you,kami,ikaw,ako,etc)
3. DO NOT USE words that are not sure of its consequences
(Maybe,Perhaps,Baka,Raw,Daw, etc)
4. Focus on giving OPINIONS rather than giving information.
5. Always support your opinions with facts/evidences.
6. Use TRANSITIONAL DEVICES (Furthermore,Moreover,Hence,Subalit,Sa
kabilang dako,In addition to, and many more.

TAGALOG (EDITORYAL)

Nilalaman ng naturang bill ang pagpapakita ng transparency sa anumang

transaksyon kaya naman walang kawala ang sinumang magtatangka na
magsinungaling at magpakabihasa sa korapsyon. Magsislbing matibay na
ebidensya ito ng midya higit lalo ng campus journalism na maisiwalat ang
anumang anomalyang nangyayari sa bawat kinabibilangang institusyon
maging sa kanilang sariling mga paaralan. Sa tulong ng FOI ay makikita kung
saan iginugugol ng administrasyon ang badyet buwan-buwan katulad ng mga
pondong ibinibigay ng gobyerno, ang MOOE para sa mga pampublikong
paaralan. Ang liquidation report ay magsisilbing ebidensiya ng katiwalian lalo
na kapag malabo ang pagkakalahad ng mga pinagkakagastusan.

Sa kabilang dako, magsisimula naman ito ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng

kinauukulan at ng mga mamamahayag sapagkat bawat galaw ay magiging
gwardyado ng batas. Magdudulot ito ng hindi magandang kalidad ng serbisyo
dahil sa conflict na lilitaw lalo na kapag napatunayan talagang may
nangyayaring anomalya ang sinumang mamamahayag na nagbabantay dito.
Ngunit tatandaan na higit na malaki ang pakinabang ng FOI na ito upang
bantayan ang bawat galaw ng mga opisyal ng paaralan o ng isang
organisasyon lalo na sa tuwing may mga perang sangkot.

Bagama’t posible nga ang bangayan ngunit hindi ba’t mas maganddang isipin
na sa tulong ng batas na ito ay mapuputol na ang anumang katiwalian sa
isang organisasyon at mas marami pa ang makikinabang sapagkat tiyak na
ang bawat badyet ay mapupunta sa tamang paglalagyan. Ayon pa dito,
anumang impormasyong hihingin ng sinumang indibidwal ay kailangang
maibigay sa kanya at hindi pwedeng ipagkait maliban na lamang kung ito ay
makaaapekto sa pambansang seguridad. At sa tulong ng FOI, walang
magagawa ang kinauukulan kahit na ang administrasyon sa paaralan na
ibigay ang mga datos na hihingiin ng isang mamamahayag lalo na kung ang
layunin niya ay para sa kapakanan ng mga kapwa mag - aaral.