- News reporting (hard news stories)
- Fature articles (story containing more than the spot news)
- Interpretive reporting (background and analyis)
- Reviews or Critique (judgement on quality of art work)
- Editorial Writing (analysis, arguments and opinions)
- Syndicated Columns (opinion and musing by good writers)
Writing hard news is different as the structure starts like an essay; introduction, argument, conclusion.
A news story is written in a logical manner; answering questions and giving details as it goes along.
Angles
Journalists call the anges different 'takes' on a story; the choices you as the reporter may have for your lead; as an angle.
Example:
Angle 1 - Two children were reunited with their fateher yesterday...
Angle 2 - A relieved father of two children...
Angle 3 - A new law against wicked stepmothers was passed yesterday...
The angle is determined by you and what the editor would like.
Linking words for focus:
Linking Words:
The arrows and coded words reveal how existing information introduces or connects with new information.
Every part is ‘attached’ or connected to the one preceding it.
All succeeding pars contain an element of the story the reader has already met.
Sourcing of Attribution:
The reporter needs to put this person's title position before their name when introducing them in the story unless the person is very, very well known.
If you have the form of attribution places before name of the oranization before the person's title, you do not use commas before and after the person's name.
Almost all stories contain a reference to someone saying something.
Even if you were a first-hand witness, you may still use another person’s words as an ‘expert.’
The person’s AUTHORITY to make the comments he/she made is very important.
The reporter needs to put this person’s title or position before their name when introducing them in the story unless the person is very, very well known.
If the form of attribution places the title of the person you are quoting ahead of the name of the organization the person represents, then you will need a comma before and after the name of the person.
e.g. President of the National Council of Trade Unions (NCTU), Sean Burnett, …
NCTU President Sean Burnett said...
Note: Second style is preferred by most because it saves space.
The second style is preffered by most news agencies.
“Resources were a touch higher overnight, but oil was a touch weaker, so they didn't get any help from oil stocks,"
CMC Markets dealer Josh Whiting said.NOTE: “said” comes AFTER the name or personal pronoun.
Indirect Speech
Indirect Speech also called ‘reported’ speechspeech that is summarised or paraphrased by the writerused without quotation marksmust keep the meaning of the original.
Indirect Speech Example:“I’d rather be in the hands of the RAAF than anyone else in a situation like that,” Mr. Smith said.
As Indirect speech:
Mr. Smith said he would rather be in the hands of the RAAF than anyone else in a situation like that.
Other Points:
Do not be afraid to repeat "said". Avoid other version such as "claimed", "expressed", "stressed".
Avoid using "according to".
Do not use Adverbs.
Don’t make your new writing colourful. Leave that to your novel.
“ I was not scared.” Mr. Smith said thoughtfully.
Some examples of adverbs:
emphatically, angrily, sympathetically, rudely, loudly, carefully, quickly, etc.
What tense to use?
As a rule, electronic media use present tense and printed media use past tense.
In some case, to convery immediacy, present perfect is used:
The government has warned that interest rates will...
Quotation marks - Use double quotes ("")
The closing of quote mark comes after the punctuation mark that indicates a stop or a pause.
Example:
“ Can it be true?” Mark said. (correct)The basics of a news lead...
“Can it be true”? Mark said. (wrong)
- Write simply. Simple words in the right combination can be powerfully evocative.
- First things first. News writing starts with a bang and then explains itself.
- Always attribute what you say to an authoritative voice.
- A good introduction is everything.
Do not start a lead with a qualifying clauseOther things to remember:
While on a routine patrol, a police officer discovered that burglars had pried open the back door of a liquor store on Collins Street and had stolen more than 100 cases of whisky last night.
Instead, write:
Burglars pried open the back door of aliquor store on Collins Street and stole more than 100 cases of whisky last night.
Don't forget the impact of the story.
Don't forget the local angle.
Don't forget the unusual information in your story.
Don't forget your audiences interest.
Strive for simplicity.
Don't forget to be objective.
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