News Writing

JOEMAR L. FURIGAY
Las Piñas City Science High School
What is news?

• Is any oral or written report of an event that happened, is

happening, will happen in the North, East, West and South
(NEWS) that is of interest to the reader and which should
be reported (Soriano et al, 2012)

• Must be factual, but not all facts are news

News elements

• PROMINENCE
➢Persons, places, things and situations which are familiar
to or of importance to the reader.

• PROXIMITY
➢Refers to the nearness of the events to the readers
News elements

• IMMEDIACY
➢Refers to the timeliness of the event; emphasizes the
newest angle of the story

• ODDITY
➢Any unusual or deviation from the normal course of
events
News elements

• HUMAN INTEREST
➢Various human responses such as the innate desire for
food, clothing, shelter, etc.

• CONFLICT
➢Deals with any disagreement between man and his
fellowman, man and nature, and man and himself.
News elements

• NAMES
➢Involves newsworthy people like those who passed
board exams, who won during elections, etc.

• NUMBERS & STATISTICS

➢Results of sweepstakes, raffle draws, peso-dollar
equivalence, vital statistics of celebrities .
News elements

• ROMANCE & ADVENTURE

➢Love and adventure stories, especially among
celebrities and prominent people.

• SIGNIFICANCE
➢Refers not only to the importance of the event to the
readers but also on how it will affect them.
News elements

• CHANGE & DEVELOPMENT

➢Any progress like putting up of new schools, buildings,
roads, bridges, etc.

• ANIMALS
➢Stories about animals with talents, extraordinary
deeds, etc.
News elements

• CALAMITY
➢Casualties caused by earthquakes, typhoons and other
natural disasters.
What are the qualities of news?

Accurate
• Factual accuracy means that statement,
name, date, age, address or quotation cited
in the story is true.

• There can be serious legal consequences if

you are careless about accuracy
What are the qualities of news?

Complete and Balanced

• A news story should contain important details of a
news event.

• This does not mean reporting every detail but

rather selecting important details as a result of
informed judgment.
What are the qualities of news?

Objective
• A news story should not have the personal opinions
of the reporter.

• The report should present both sides.

• Avoid opinionated statements unless the reporter

attributes it to its source.
What are the qualities of news?

Objective
• Your job is to report, not comment.
• Put quote marks around the words involved.
• Use some common adjectives sparingly.
• Strictly no adverbs of manner.

(Until you have a recognized reputation or some

expertise, no comments or opinions, please.)
What are the qualities of news?

Simple and Clear

• Sentences should be short. Simple words should be
preferred to unfamiliar words.

• Remember KISS.

• Readability Formula: One sentence=one idea, one

paragraph
What is angling?

• It is the process of placing the most important

data at the beginning of the lead to make it
more interesting to the reader.

• The writer should evaluate and weigh the

gravity of the data to decide what kind of
summary lead to use in writing a straight news
What is angling?

• These days, the writer is expected to put the best

W or H forward. How do we know which is the best
W or H?

• The news values clue us in. For instance, if a story

is newsworthy because it involves a prominent
person, opt for a “who” lead; if the story is
significant to a lot of people, use a “what” lead.
What is angling?

• These days, the writer is expected to put the best

W or H forward. How do we know which is the best
W or H?

• The news values clue us in. For instance, if a story

is newsworthy because it involves a prominent
person, opt for a “who” lead; if the story is
significant to a lot of people, use a “what” lead.
Let’s read this news story.

A young Forest Glen girl escaped unharmed today

when she was chased through the woods by three
angry bears.
The girl, 10-year-old Goldi Locks, was resting at
her Primrose Street home this afternoon recovering
from her ordeal.
Ms Locks told reporters she had gone for a walk
in the woods, but had become very tired and hungry.
Let’s read this news story.

She said she found a cottage in the woods and

went to sleep in an upstairs bedroom.
Some time later she was wakened by three
angry bears who began threatening her.
She said she escaped by jumping out a first
floor window.
Let’s read this news story.

However, Ms Locks said the bears had pursued

her and she had just managed to reach the edge of
the woods in time.
“I will never go into the woods alone again,” Ms
Locks said.
A spokesperson for the Forest Glen Wildlife
Conservation Group said the bears were there first
and people should treat wild animals with caution
and respect.
What are the possible angles?

Angle 1:
A 10-year-old girl escaped unharmed
yesterday when she was chased through the
woods by three savage bears.
What are the possible angles?

Angle 2:
The relieved mother of a 10-year-old girl who
yesterday just managed to outrun three
fierce bears has warned parents not to let
their children play in the Taringa Woods.
What are the possible angles?

Angle 3:
Angry residents of Primrose Street have
called on the provincial government to cull the
bear population in the Taringa Woods.
What are the possible angles?

Angle 4:
Animal rights and conservation groups have
sprung to the defense of a group of bears
that chased a terrified girl through the
Taringa Woods yesterday afternoon.
What are the possible angles?

Angle 5:
Police are investigating claims that a
girl who was chased through the Taringa
Woods yesterday afternoon by three angry
bears had smashed some of their furniture
and taken food from their kitchen without
permission.
What are the possible angles?

Getting the “angle” right

is a matter of judgment:
news sense.
 Other tips in angling

•LOOK FOR: • Try to think like a working

•What is NEW, NOW, JUST journalist instead of like a
HAPPENED
student or teacher.
•What will likely happen NEXT
•What will happen SOON
• Recall the News Values and
•Who is immediately or will soon
look for them in the story
be affected by or involved in what before you.
happened or will happen
• Look for specifics, not
•What has changed either slightly generics.
or significantly
 Other tips in angling

•LOOK FOR: • Try to think like a working

•What is NEW, NOW, JUST journalist instead of like a
HAPPENED
student or teacher.
•What will likely happen NEXT
•What will happen SOON
• Recall the News Values and
•Who is immediately or will soon
look for them in the story
be affected by or involved in what before you.
happened or will happen
• Look for specifics, not
•What has changed either slightly generics.
or significantly
 Other tips in angling

•LOOK FOR: • Try to think like a working

•What is NEW, NOW, JUST journalist instead of like a
HAPPENED
student or teacher.
•What will likely happen NEXT
•What will happen SOON
• Recall the News Values and
•Who is immediately or will soon
look for them in the story
be affected by or involved in what before you.
happened or will happen
• Look for specifics, not
•What has changed either slightly generics.
or significantly
What are the types of lead?

The pyramid structure begins with the primary lead, a

short paragraph, which answers at least four of the
five Ws and one H at its most effective angle.

The next paragraph is the secondary lead, which

complements the main lead by answering those of
the five Ws and one H, which are left unanswered.
What are the types of lead?

The lead, or lede, is the opening sentence of a news

story. It may be a summary lead, which answers the
five Ws and one H, or a novelty lead, which attracts
the reader’s attention, arouses his curiosity, and
sustains his interest.

The novelty lead, however, is preferable only in

writing a news feature. In straight news, the
summary lead is strongly recommended.
What are the types of lead?

The lead, or lede, is the opening sentence of a news

story. It may be a summary lead, which answers the
five Ws and one H, or a novelty lead, which attracts
the reader’s attention, arouses his curiosity, and
sustains his interest.

The novelty lead, however, is preferable only in

writing a news feature. In straight news, the
summary lead is strongly recommended.
Example

⚫ Typical and plain. The Department of Education

reopened on Monday the application process for
senior high school (SHS) vouchers.

⚫ Better. The Department of Education on Monday

reopened the application process for senior high
school (SHS) vouchers for Grade 11 students
intending to enrol in private schools for the coming
school year.
Example

⚫ Much better. Incoming Grade 11 students seeking

to enrol in private schools can apply again for senior
high school (SHS) vouchers, the Department of
Education said on Monday.

⚫ Much, Much better. Incoming Grade 11 students

seeking to enrol in private schools can apply again
for senior high school (SHS) vouchers, the
Department of Education said on Monday, less than
two months before the next school year opens.
Example

⚫ Improved further. Incoming Grade 11 students seeking to

enrol in private schools can apply again for senior high school
vouchers, the Department of Education said on Monday, less
than two months before the next school year opens and SHS is
implemented in the country for the first time.

⚫ Much improved. Incoming Grade 11 students seeking to enrol

in private schools can apply again for senior high school
vouchers, the Education Department said on Monday, 53 days
before SHS is implemented nationwide for the first time.
How to write the body

• The second paragraph supports the thrust of the lead

• Back up the lead with an authoritative quote about

something specific or concrete

• Follow the hierarchy of facts of your lead when

presenting the details of the story in the body
How to write the body

• As much as possible, give your news a face of real live

person/s. Include quote/s from a person/s who will
feel the impact of the news. Not a fictitious person.
Real and alive.

• Close or end the article with a substantive quote and

with information on what is expected to happen next
about the story subject.
How to write the body

⚫ People-focused. Emphasis on the people

whose lives will be affected or changed. They
are the real VIPs. Give your story a real
person's face.

⚫ The usual VIPs are for paragraph 3 or 4 in the

body of the story as supporting details.
How to write the body

⚫ Mention the VIP in the lead or in the 2nd

paragraph if that VIP is your source or
attribution.

⚫ Always address this point: Why does your

news matter to the people?
News is NOT…

• The signing of the memorandum of agreement

• The inauguration of a building
• The conduct of a seminar
• The launch of a program/project
• The visit to a project site
News is NOT…

• The meeting of two or more people

• The introduction of a new product
• The issuance of a new directive, order,
memorandum
• The award that you received
News is …

• Not Just the EVENT

NEWS is what that event MEANS TO AND HOW IT
AFFECTS PEOPLE.
• Not just the PEOPLE
NEWS is how and why those people MATTER TO
OTHER PEOPLE.
News is …

• Not just the ISSUE

NEWS is how and why that issue IS AFFECTING
THE LIVES OF PEOPLE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.
• Not just the situation
NEWS is how and why that situation INVOLVES
MANY PEOPLE AND CHANGES PEOPLES' LIVES.
Other tips in writing the body

SOURCES
Unless information is widely accepted, or is
common knowledge, it should be sourced.
Material that is controversial, debatable, open to
question or a matter of opinion, should always
be sourced.
Facts and figures (unless common knowledge)
should be sourced.
Other tips in writing the body

LOGIC
Expand the key point of the lead. (If it does not
do that, either the second par is wrong or the
lead is wrong.)

Develop or connect the important elements of

each par.
Other tips in writing the body

Par 1: Retailers have reported record Christmas

sales.

Par 2: Shops will be open until midnight on

Christmas eve.

(Here, neither the elements in the first par is

developed in the second.)
Other tips in writing the body

Par 1: Retailers have reported record Christmas

sales.

Par 2: Retail Trades Association general secretary

Norma Fleming said several department stores
and major shopping centers had recorded
December turnover figures well in excess of
budget expectations.
Other tips in writing the body

BACKGROUND
A young Forest Glen girl escaped unharmed today when she was
chased through the woods by three angry bears.

This is the second such incident in a week.

(Background can be needed as early as the second par. Indeed, it can

be even part of he lead.)

In the second such incident in a week, a Forest Glen child has been
chased through the woods by three angry bears.
Other tips in writing the body

ATTRIBUTION
1. organization, title, first name and surname
followed by indirect quote first
2. direct quote followed by the appropriate
honorific (Mr/Ms/Dr/Prof) and surname with “said”
3. direct quote followed by personal pronoun
(he/she) with “said”
4. direct quote, no attribution
5. honorific and surname followed by indirect quote
Other tips in writing the body

Communities in the north of the state have been warned to

expect a severe storm season this summer.

Bureau of Meteorology ( ) senior forecaster ( )

Geoff Smith ( ) said yesterday
tropical sea temperatures were the warmest they had been
for a decade and that was a danger sign. ( )

“Cyclones are distinct possibility too,” ( ) Mr Smith

( ) said.
Other tips in writing the body

“Sea temperatures off the coast of the United States have

been very warm this year and they have had a terrible
huriccane season,” ( ) he ( ) said.

“We need to be ready in case it happens here.” ( )

Mr Smith ( ) said a 24-hour cyclone watch

had been in place for a month and although there had been
no alerts so far this season, no one should be complacent.
( )
 Straight News Structure
Lead:
• Who is affected • 2nd par – Details of WHO
QUOTE 1
• What happened • 3rd par – Details of WHAT
• Why did it happen • 4th par – Details of WHY
• How it happened • 5th par – Details of HOW
• ===============
• 6th par – Details of WHERE
• Where it happened
• 7th par – Details of WHEN
• When it happened QUOTE 2
• Source/attribution
• 8th par – Other details from
the Source
WHO, WHAT, WHY, HOW
MAY BE INTERCHANGED
DEPENDING ON
10 PARAGRAPHS
THEIR RANKING TOTAL
IMPORTANCE
 Accident Story Structure

Common news articles:

-fire
-hostage-takings
-vehicular accidents
-“-napping” incidents
-ambush/shooting incidents
-rape/suicide
-robbery/theft/hold up/snatching
-raid/bust operations
-salvage victims
-demolition jobs
-brawls/rallies
Accident Story Structure

Lead:
Getting the lead right
1. What happened?
2. Who were involved?
3. Where it happened?
4. When it happened?
5. Why/How it happened?
 Accident Story Structure

Lead:
For example:
A 10-year-old boy shot himself dead
(who) (what)
after toying with a homemade .38-caliber revolver of
(how)
his security guard father in their house in the village of
(where)
Nagsabaran in Balaoan, La Union last Wednesday.
(when)
 Straight News Structure

• 2nd par – identify casualty, fatality, perpetrator

}
Lead: • 3rd par – give major details
Who died? • 4th par – -accounts of witnesses
Wounded? • 5th par – -police reports/investigations
Hurt? What? -interviews
• th
6 par –
Where? When?
th
-recovered pieces of evidence
• 7 par – -background of the story

}
• 8th par – give minor details
YOU MAY USE QUOTED • 9th par – -charges against the suspects
STATEMENTS IN • 10th par- -police action
GIVING THE DETAILS
-on-going events
 Accident Story Structure

Example:
A vacationing overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was shot dead while his
companion was wounded as they were attending the wake of a
neighbor in Barangay Barangobong on Sunday.
(lead)

Raymund Mata, 34, died from a gunshot on the head while Richard
Morales was rushed to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City
for treatment of a bullet wound in the neck.
(identify the casualty, fatality)
 Accident Story Structure

Example:
A witness named Luz Irlandez said the victims were trying to pacify a group
of quarreling men, which allegedly irked the suspect, identified as
Romulo Gajes.
(account of a witness)

Mata and Morales decided to leave the place, but Gajes reportedly pulled out
a gun and shot them.
(police report/investigation)
The suspect escaped after the killing.
(on-going event)
 Speech Story Structure

• 2nd par– details of the who, what, where, when

Lead: • 3rd par– details of why/how in connection to the lead
(indirect)
• 4th par– direct statement supporting par 3
• 5th par– indirect speech supporting the quoted statement

}
• 6th par – -Direct and indirect statements
• 7th par – presented alternately
THE HEADLINE SHOULD • 8th par – -Statements should support each other

} Give other minor details (e.g.

BE THE MOST STRIKING • 9th par –
STATEMENT WITH THE
SOURCE • 10th par- background) which are necessarily
quoted statements
 Speech Story Structure

For direct quotation as headline:

a. Nobody can stop me to run - Erap

b. Erap: Nobody can stop me to run

c. Nobody can stop me to run, Erap says

 Speech Story Structure

If verb is transitive and voice is active:

Principal tells scribes: Champions are not made overnight

If voice is passive:

Scribes told: Champions are not made overnight

 Speech Story Structure

Example

Head:

Duterte asks US: Return Balangiga bells

Quotation lead:

"Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the
Philippines. They are part of our national heritage."
 Speech Story Structure

Example
2nd par (details of who, what, where, when)

In a speech delivered to soldiers in Davao City last Friday, President

Rodrigo Duterte took that opportunity to ask the United States to return
the bells taken by American soldiers as war booty more than a hundred
years ago.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
3rd par (details of why/how in connection to the lead)

Duterte said there would be no discussion with high-ranking US

officials to buy arms and vehicles from the Philippines’ longtime ally
unless they return the said historic bells to the country.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
4th par (direct statement supporting the indirect statement)

“If they did not return the Balangiga bells, there is nothing to talk
about,” the President said.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
5th par (indirect statement related to the previous par)

He reiterated that the Philippines “would not forget” the massacre

committed by American soldiers against Filipinos fighters in Balangiga, a
town in Eastern Samar, over a century ago.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
6th par (direct statement supporting the previous par)

“Now you say, ‘Ah, Duterte, that was a long time ago.’ Why? Can the
passage of time cure an injustice? Just because it was 100 years [ago] so
it is erased? Then, the bells are there. And the memory still haunts
everybody here because it was taken with blood and lives of our
brothers and sisters,” said the President.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
7th par (minor detail, background info)

The President made this statement in response to a letter signed by

three US officials―Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Secretary of State
Michael Pompeo, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis―who all want to
meet Duterte to discuss the country’s military’s modernization program.
 Speech Story Structure

Example
8th par (minor detail, background info)

The Presi`dent read the letter out loud during the 12th anniversary
of the Davao-based Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command
anniversary.
Q and A