How to Write a Newspaper Article



NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ASSIGNMENT (Due ______________)

Imagine you are an Ibo newspaper reporter. You are assigned to write an article for the front page about a main event that has happened in the area recently. Choose an event from Ch. 13 onward.

For your article OUTLINE, include the following (all of these will also be in your final article):

✓ The name of your newspaper and its publication date (TFA takes place in the 1890s)

✓ A short headline that grabs the reader’s attention and states the most important news

✓ The main facts of what happened in order of importance (not chronological order)

✓ Relevant background information

✓ At least three quotations from people who witnessed the event or were affected by the event (these can be made up, but must be in character)

Format and Style Requirements OF FINAL ARTICLE:

✓ The article should be at least one page, including a picture.

✓ Typed, double spaced, 12 pt font, times new roman font

✓ Short paragraphs

✓ Two columns

✓ A picture and caption

✓ Do not use personal pronouns except within quotations (I, you, me, we, us).

✓ Have an objective tone and point of view. (Opinions can only be expressed through quotes.)

Rubric (Turn this in with your completed assignment—stapled to the back)

|Your Name: |Points |

|Focus: maintains focus on clear topic |10 | |

|Organization and Coherence: information organized in order of importance |10 | |

|Support and Elaboration: use of appropriate details, facts, quotes |10 | |

|Style: purpose, medium, awareness of audience (newspaper article) |10 | |

|Conventions: grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. |10 | |

|Points off for not following assignment directions (see checklist above): | | |

|TOTAL POINTS |50 | |

How to Write a Newspaper Article

© Mia Carter, Jul 30, 2008

There's a particular formula that should be utilized when writing a newspaper article, feature story or press release, thereby making for an interesting and easy read.

Wondering how to write that story, press release or announcement for your local newspaper? Follow these hints to writing a newspaper article - presented in the format of a news story, of course - and you'll be well on the way to effectively communicating through writing.

Components of a Newspaper Article

There’s a specific formula that newspaper journalists should follow when authoring a news story, and when done correctly, the writer can effectively educate and entertain readers from all walks of life. The “lead” of a news story, typically the first paragraph, should provide a clear and concise overview of the main point(s) (who, what, when, where, how and why), thereby conveying to the reader what he/or she will be learning about in the piece.

The content of a news story should be unbiased, and completely fact-based. Sources of the information should be clearly cited and integrated into the piece.

Sentences should be clear, concise and worded in a manner that is appropriate for the audience.

Another important concept to keep in mind when writing a news story is the pyramid format, developed in the early years of broadcasting when reception was often inconsistent. News reporters placed the most important facts at the beginning of the broadcast and additional information was mentioned in order of descending importance so that in the event that a listener’s reception was interrupted. Using the pyramid style of reporting ensured that the most important information would be disseminated first.

Today, the pyramid format serves to present the reader the most important facts first, drawing him in to read the remainder of the story. Facts should be mentioned in order of descending importance.

“Quotes can be a wonderful tool for a news writer, when used appropriately,” explained longtime journalist Doug Wood-Boyle, who has worked in the field for over a quarter century.

He added, “Quotations can clearly illustrate opposing opinions. They can also add a human feel to a story, while also providing the writer with an outlet to clearly illustrate a person’s thoughts or opinion on an issue. They’re also perfect when someone says something or illustrates a point more effectively than you, the reporter, can accomplish.”

Writing for the Newspaper Audience

Writers should also provide background information when writing about the latest in a series of stories on a particular subject. Provide background information on past proceedings and clearly outline the evolution of the story. Writers should always assume that the reader has no prior knowledge of the event, organization, etc. This same rule can also be applied when covering an event or when writing a story about an organization.

“My rule of thumb is this: Assume that the reader has never read your publication. Reporters should then fill-in any gaps in the information,” Wood-Boyle explained.

Complementary information, such as the history of an organization or event, should be prominently cited in a story, can be included at the end of the piece.

Preparing to Submit a News Article

Once the author has completed the actual writing process, there are several additional steps that should be taken to ensure that the piece is ready for publication. Facts cited in the story should be verified in order to ensure accuracy. Spelling and grammatical errors can serve as a distraction to the reader, so accuracy is key and all errors should corrected before a news story is submitted.

To aid in the revision process, news writers should be familiar with the journalistic writing style when authoring a piece. (Look at a newspaper for examples!)

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