Writing Newspaper Articles

1st Part


Main Points
Topic Sentence/5 W's
Hook


2nd Part


Additional esential iformation
-Starts to develop the story


3rd Point


Less important information
-Can be dropped
-May look into background


The headline, accurate and in the present tense
First sentence, 5 W's, no more than 22 words as a grabline
First Paragraph, make the reader curious, include a hook
Be accurate, facts should be correct
Avoid cliches
Search for special ingredient that makes your story stand out
Paragraphs throughout should consist of around 2 or 3 sentences
Use quotes (expert opinion or direct witness)
Keep language simple


Nine Golden Rules


1. KISS - Keep it short and simple
Local papers normally have shorter sentences of around 16-20 words
Keep to familiar simple vocabulary which the broadest audience can access


2. Reading for speed- sentences and headlines are short
Crossheads break the story down into bitesize pieces
Columbs are narrow and easy to read


3. Never use three words when one will do
You will rarely see the following phrases in newspapers:
In the near future
In the first instance
On the subject of
In the small hours
In consequence of


4. Don't repeat yourself
Don't use two words that mean the same thing, for example uniquely special, final outcome, important essentials


5. Use active verbs
E.g. Burgulars took the corgi, rather than the corgi was taken by the burgulars


6. PLay with language
Use puns, E.g. chippy gets a battering, Steve Davis arrived on 'cue'


7. Make the story personal
People sell papers, use pictures etc


8. Categorise people in the news
For example, grey haired pensioner, secret lover, mother of two, retired teacher, 65


9. Things to aviod
Cliches
Euphamisms
Being too chatty
Unneccessary use of foreign or American phrases