How to Write a Great Newspaper Article

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Newspaper articles provide information on current events and

issues, along with interpretation and analysis. They also provide
entertainment, and are a reference for television listings, sports
results, movie listings, community events and weather reports.
Newspapers use pictures and captivating headlines to draw in
readers and hold their attention. Writing a great article can require informative and
persuasive language, including emotive words, imagery, and rhetorical questions.
The following hints, tips and ideas will help you write a newspaper article for your
local newspaper, a school assignment or just for fun.
Newspaper articles provide information on current events and issues.

The Purpose of a Newspaper Article

A newspaper article provides information on newsworthy topics: that is, any event or
issue of importance to the majority of readers. It provides the reader with all the facts
about this issue or event, including who, what, where, when, why and how. It
includes statements, comments and opinions from experts or other people involved.

Types of Newspaper Articles

Newsworthy topics will vary according to the newspaper's audience. A national
newspaper will report on national issues like finance, war and politics. On the other
hand, a local community newspaper reports on actions and events in the area. Local
newspapers tend to lean towards emotional stories; people are more interested in a
minor local event then a distant disaster.
A major news report is put on the front page with a big headline and a large picture.
These major stories will often have smaller related background stories, which will
sometimes run for several pages. Lesser stories are placed in the newspaper based
on their importance (more important news at the front) or placed based on category
(world news, sports, finance).
Newspaper articles should be objective, factual, accurate and balanced.

Format and Structure

The structure of a newspaper article is often compared to an inverted triangle: the most
important details are at the top of the article, and the least important information placed at the
end of the article. It is important to keep each paragraph as independent as possible, to allow
paragraphs to be cut out in order to fit in pictures and advertisements.
The article is not written in chronological order. A newspaper article includes the following (in
order):

● Headline and by-line (reporter's name and picture).

● An opening paragraph (introduction) of about 25-40 words. It provides the most important
and interesting news first, while answering who, what, where, when (how and why are often
reserved for later).

● Further short paragraphs of about 30-40 words apiece. Each one has a main idea and a
different fact. They may also include quotes from people involved or experts.

● Details are given in order of importance, with the least important details at the end of the
article. This allows readers to skim over the start of the article to gain the essential facts
before deciding to read on.

● At the end of the article the facts and opinions may be summarised, detailing the issue or
event.

Language Features: The Headline

Headlines convey information and attract attention using the following:

● Short phrases and incomplete sentences

● Figurative language

● Stereotypes

● Exaggeration

Language Features: The Body of the Article

The language in the body of the article uses the following features to inform, entertain and
persuade.

● Clear and concise

● In the third person

● Can use active or passive voice, depending on the focus and which is more engaging for
the reader.
 ● Factual and accurate.

● Includes quotes, comments, opinions, statements and observations, from people involved
or experts on the topic.

● Gives people labels so that the reader knows who they are straight away, for example: "the
Minister, Mr. Dash."

● Accurate and balanced (providing facts supporting both sides of the issue).

Using Visuals
Headlines use size, bold, capitals, different font styles, underlining and sometimes colour to
attract reader's attention to the newspaper article that follows. The importance of the article is
generally related to the size of the headline, with more important articles having bigger and
bolder headlines.

Photographs, illustrations, graphs, graphics and maps are used alongside newspaper articles to
help present complex information as well as add interest and colour.

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