Sports News-

Writing
BY: MASOROT,
NORJANNAH AWAR
WHAT IS A SPORTS NEWS-
WRITING
 It is in the sports section of a
newspaper in which the sportswriter
reports the scenes of sports,
tournaments and games such as
athletics, football,
baseball, basketball, volleyball and
etc.
 The Styles of Sports
Writing
a sports news story consists of the
headline, lead and body. The difference lies,
however, in its use of precise, concise,
lively, attractive and informal language because
some critics refer to the sports
department as the toy department of
newspapers.’
 SPORTS COVERAGE
• One of the most important parts of student media
• Followed closely by students
• Followed closely by community
• Can be used by colleges to look at athletes for
scholarships and recruiting
 COVERING SPORTS LIKE A PRO:
• KNOW the sport
• Rules and guidelines
• Positions of players
• Basic timeline of a match or
game
 COVERING SPORTS LIKE A PRO:
• KNOW the people who involved in
the sport
• A little about their background
• How to spell and pronounce their
names
 COVERING SPORTS LIKE A PRO:
• KNOW the records
• Are they coming off of a winning or losing year?
• Are there individuals on-deck to break records
• KNOW the stats
• Individual and/or team
 TYPES OF SPORTS STORIES:
• Game stories
• Summarizes a game or a match
• Most predictable sports story you will ever
write
• USE the inverted pyramid
• Lead includes outcome and basics
• Nut graf will identify the game’s
defining moments
• Next, include a quote from player or
coach -- Look for the emotional
response
• End with what is next for the team
 TYPES OF SPORTS STORIES:
• Preview stories

• Previews an upcoming game or match

• How do the two teams match up

• What makes this game special

• Look for the most interesting short-term angle

• VERY timely