Writing News

Story
Journalism for
Grade 9 - STEP
What Is News Writing?
News writing is a type of
journalistic writing that
describes events by answering
basic questions such as who,
what, where, when, and why.
 News writing often requires some
investigation on the part of the writer,
which can include obtaining quotes or
data to make the article as accurate
and thorough as possible. This type of
writing is usually objective and
expository, reporting and explaining the
facts of an event rather than providing
an opinion or analysis.
 How Is News Written?
News stories are typically written using a
structure known as the “inverted
pyramid.” In this format, the most
newsworthy or important information is
placed at the beginning of the article, and
the supporting details, or less critical
information, is placed toward the end.
3 key elements of the
inverted pyramid
structure
 LEAD
Start with the most important
facts. In journalism, this usually
includes the 5 W’s and 1 H,
meaning you should answer the
questions of who, what, where,
when, why, and how.
 BODY
The “body” is what follows the
lead. It contains the crucial info,
including the “meat” or
controversy of your story,
evidence, background, quotes,
and other details that support,
dispute, or expand the topic.
 TAIL
The “tail” contains extra info that
might be interesting or related to
the main topic. It can also be a
concluding paragraph that
contains an assessment by the
journalist.
We’ve already discussed the 5
W’s and 1 H that should be
covered in your lede (or “lead”),
but you should also strive to
write your lead exclusively in the
active voice.
This means you should avoid all
forms of the verb “to be.”
(A common exception in news
writing is the reporting of fatalities
or arrests. In other words, it’s
okay to say someone was killed,
or was arrested.)
You also have several options when
it comes to starting your lead. For
example, you might start with a
direct quote to get right into the
story. Or, depending on the nature of
your article, you might find it more
fitting to start with an anecdote, a
scene-setting lead, or just a straight
news lead, where you stick to the
key facts.
 EXAMPLE
A fire broke out around 3:50 a.m.
on Sycamore Avenue Wednesday
morning, destroying 12 properties
and leaving 20 people without
homes. Police are investigating
the possibility of arson.
What: a fire that destroyed 12 homes
Who: 20 residents who were impacted
Where: Sycamore Avenue
When: Wednesday morning at 3:50
a.m.
Why: The motive is unknown, but
police are considering arson.
How: Also not clear, but arson is a
strong possibility.
Thirty-seven people were likely
killed in a fire that engulfed a
shopping mall in the southern
Philippine city of Davao, the local
vice mayor said on Sunday. A blaze
that ripped through a group of
fireworks shops in the Philippines
Wednesday killed a woman with
another person missing and 24
others hurt, officials said.