Tech Tips To Go

Technology Made Easier

Category - Media

Topic - Journalism

Issue - How to organize your ideas when writing a news story

Tiptoid -

News is about the truth.

In order to understand a news story, you must know all the facts. The first paragraph should tell us the who, what, when, where, why, how, and the main idea of the story, organized logically. A well organized news story is usually a well written and highly informative news story.

So, how do writers do what they do to get their facts organized? Here are some techniques.

Focus on your topic. A journalist must make the essence of the story clear from the start. Write a short, punchy, informative lead to attract readers.
Choose a title so people would be motivated to read on. Keep it short and make it zing. It's not always easy to come up with a title that grabs people's attention. As you're writing your draft, allow many titles to come to your mind so that you have options.
Use neutral language. Common everyday words will be understood by today's readers, so the facts of your story will communicate more clearly.
Use direct quotes to bring your story to life. When you give your sources the opportunity to “talk” to the reader, the impact of the story has been personalized. You have now drawn your readers to an emotional level. Remember, though, you must be accurate when using direct quotes.
Keep your sentences and paragraphs short. Avoid heavily descriptive details. When you have finished your draft, proofread it and remove any words which aren't completely necessary to the facts of the story.
Make sure your story is in chronological order.
Remain objective. Avoid words which might show judgment and opinion. Fairness is the reporter's goal. Remember, you are writing the news.
Write a strong summary to close our your news story. A good ending gives a "rounded out" feeling to a story, as if it sums up the whole article in one or two sentences.

Remember - when writing news, your goal is to communicate the truth. Be thorough, accurate and organized.

Glossary -

chronological order - arranged according to the sequence of occurrence

impact - a strong effect or influence

objective - not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased

quotes - to repeat or copy the words of (another), usually with acknowledgment of the source

Find Out More -

Talk to your English teacher.

Join the newspaper team.

Ask your community newspaper staff for insights.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series44.html

This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.

Submitted by - Shalma Begum and Hafsa Adaweh

Site Manager - Chris Ricci

January 2007