NEWS WRITING

REPORTED BY: ROSHEL P. ORAIZ

A. WHAT IS NEWS WRITING?

- It is a prose style used for reporting in newspapers, radio

and television. When writing journalistically, one has to take
into account not only one’s audience, but also the tone in
which the piece is delivered, as well as the ABC’s of new
news writing: Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity.
ELEMENTS OF NEWS
1. Timeliness

- is the key principle in journalism, where news items are fresh,

new and significant to readers. It is indicated by using words like
“today” or “yesterday” and present tense in headlines. News can
also be the development of an old event, presented with a new
angle or latest development to make it relevant.
2. Popularity

- plays a significant role in determining what make news.

Prominent individuals, notable places and popular events are
newsworthy due to their position, achievement, significants or
involvement of well-known personalities. Activities involving the
president of a country, even if routine, can be considered
newsworthy and featured on the front page.
3. Nearness

- both physical and emotional, plays a role in determining what

news is interesting and important to readers. Events that happen
closest to readers or directly involve them are most interesting.
However, nearness is not only physical but can also be
emotional, such as news about Filipinos in America being of
interest to people in the Philippines due to family ties.
4. Conflict

- whether physical or mental, often make news. This can include

wars, rebellion, crimes, chaos, competitions and even writing
contests. Sometimes, events can have multiple elements, such
as “word war” between prominent personalities on a significant
issue, which reflects conflict, popularity and significance.
5. Significance

- events, persons, places or things that hold value and

importance are inherently interesting to readers. Whether it’s a
warning about an approaching typhoon, news of an impending
war, price increases, bandit activity, or new tax measures, if it is
worth knowing, it becomes news. The purpose of informing
people about significant events is to serve the public, helping
them prepared and equipped to face challenges and difficulties in
life.
6. Unusualness

- anything out of the ordinary or deviating from the usual attracts

attention and interest from readers. Unique, rare, odd, or bizarre
events are captivating and make for interesting news.
7. Emotions

- news that evokes strong emotions, not just intellectual curiosity,

also captures readers’ interest. Stories about the poor, street
children, disabled individuals, and those affected by illnesses like
AIDS appeal to readers’ emotions. Human interest situations
elicit various feelings and can inspire readers to take action or
show compassion. Dramatic events like suicides, coups,
massacres or hunger strikes tap into people’s emotions and are
considered newsworthy.
8. Gender

- newspapers cater to different groups based on gender, as men

or women, and those in between have varying interests and
activities. News is created when there is a disruption of
traditional gender roles, such as women entering male-
dominated fields like space exploration, male domains like
cuisine or laundry.
9. Progress

- reports o progress in various aspects of life, such as physical,

mental, economic, emotional or social, are considered good
news. Newspaper cover both positive and negative events since
people learn from both. However, it is unfortunate that same local
papers prioritize “bad news” over “good news”. The introduction
of development communication in the Philippines is positive
news. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have
practiced development journalism, utilizing press freedom to
support economic growth and government programs aimed at
improving people’s quality of life.
10. Change

- news is made by changes that impact the majority or specific

groups of people. This includes changes in administration,
policies, names of popular places or events, weather
fluctuations, exchange rates, partnerships, schedules and other
significant changes that can lead to significant events. Some
changes are unexpected, while others are anticipated.
11. Names and numbers

- news often includes figures, statistics, numbers, and lists of

names. Many names attract readers’ attention, while numbers
are essential in reports on election results, game scores, exam
ratings, passing percentage, beauty pageant results, fatalities or
casualties in disasters, accidents, and conflicts, prices of goods
and services, salary increases, and other events involving
figures. Reportes rely on name and numbers to provide
comprehensive news coverage.
 THE PYRAMID
STRUCTURE IN NEWS
WRITING
TYPES OF NEWS

REPORTED BY: JOANNA MAE ONG-OY

1. Hard News: Hard news is a news item which states plain,
simple facts as it has happened. It usually answers the basic
questions of 5W's and H.

 Who
 What
 When
 Where
 Why
 How
 When reporting on major public events, government actions,
international events, and other significant topics, a standard
technique called the inverted pyramid style is commonly used in
print media. This style prioritizes placing the most important
information at the beginning of the story, while less important
details are included later. In broadcast media, less important
information may be omitted. The hard news writing style is
typically used for topics such as economic and social affairs,
crime, science and technology, and the environment.
 2. Soft News: Soft news covers a wide range of topics and
includes features, editorials, and articles. It focuses on human
interest and often includes opinions and reactions alongside the
facts. Soft news aims to engage readers or viewers by
presenting information in an engaging and creative manner,
appealing to their emotions and leaving a lasting impression.
TYPES OF NEWS LEAD
1. Conventional or Summary Lead
2. The Grammatical- Beginning Lead
3. Unorthodox lead or novelty lead.
 1. Conventional or Summary Lead - Answers the five W's and
one H (What, Who, Where, When, Why, and How). It presents
the most important information in the first and second
paragraphs, following the inverted triangle format. Used in
straight news, it summarizes the essential details.
 KINDS OF
CONVENTIONAL OR
SUMMARY LEAD
 1. What Lead - Focuses on the event itself as the most
important angle of the news.

Example:
The new grading system at Batanes State College will be
implemented next semester, following approval by the Board of
Trustees at the Commission on Higher Education Central Office.
 2. Who Lead - Highlights the person involved as the most
significant angle of the news.

Example:
The members of the Board of Trustees of Batanes State College
approved the new grading system at the Commission on Higher
Education Central Office.
 3. Where Lead - Emphasizes the location where the event takes
place as the most significant aspect of the news.

Example:
The new grading system at Batanes State College was approved
by the Board of Trustees at the Commission on Higher Education
Central Office, set to be implemented next semester.
4. When Lead - Rarely used, it emphasizes the time element as
the most important aspect of the news, suggesting urgency and
immediacy.

Example:
Yesterday, the Board of Trustees of Batanes State College
approved the new grading system at the Commission on Higher
Education Central Office, set to take effect next semester.
 5. Why Lead - Focuses on the cause of the event as the most
effective angle of the story.

Example:
To meet the standards of ASEAN integration, the Board of
Trustees of Batanes State College approved the new grading
system yesterday, set to take effect next semester.
 6. How Lead - Highlights the process or manner in which the
event happened as the most important aspect of the news.

Example:
The new grading system was approved by the members of the
Board of Trustees of Batanes State College through a
THE GRAMMATICAL-
BEGINNING LEAD
1. Prepositional Phrase Lead - Introduced by a preposition,
emphasizing a feature.

Example:
With the approval of resolution numbered 37 by the Board of
Trustees of Batangas State College yesterday, the new grading
system will take effect next semester.
2. Infinitive Phrase Lead - Starts with the preposition "to"
followed by the main verb.

Example:
To meet the demands of ASEAN integration, the Board of
Trustees of Batangas State College approved the new grading
system at the Commission on Higher Education Central Office
yesterday.
3. Participial Phrase Lead - Signaled by the present or past
participle of the verb, acting as a modifier.

Example:
Recording a 7-5 margin vote, the Board of Trustees of Batangas
State College approved the new grading system at the
Commission on Higher Education Central Office yesterday.
4. Gerundial Phrase Lead: Introduced by a gerund, which acts as
a noun.

Example: Synchronizing with the standards of ASEAN integration

was the primary aim of the Board of Trustees in approving the
new grading system at the Commission on Higher Education
Central Office yesterday.
5. Clause Lead: Begins with a clause, which can be independent
or subordinate, and may function as a noun, adjective, or
adverbial clause.

Example: To synchronize with ASEAN integration standards, the

Board of Trustees of Batangas State College approved the new
grading system at the Commission on Higher Education Central
Office yesterday. (Subordinate, adverbial).
UNORTHODOX LEAD OR
NOVELTY LEAD
1. Prepositional Phrase Lead - Introduced by a preposition,
emphasizing a feature.

Example:
With the approval of resolution numbered 37 by the Board of
Trustees of Batangas State College yesterday, the new grading
system will take effect next semester.
2. Infinitive Phrase Lead - Starts with the preposition "to"
followed by the main verb.

Example:
To meet the demands of ASEAN integration, the Board of
Trustees of Batangas State College approved the new grading
system at the Commission on Higher Education Central Office
yesterday.
3. Participial Phrase Lead - Signaled by the present or past
participle of the verb, acting as a modifier.

Example:
Recording a 7-5 margin vote, the Board of Trustees of Batangas
State College approved the new grading system at the
Commission on Higher Education Central Office yesterday.
4. Gerundial Phrase Lead - Introduced by a gerund, which acts
as a noun.

Example:
Synchronizing with the standards of ASEAN integration was the
primary aim of the Board of Trustees in approving the new
grading system of Batangas State College yesterday.
5. Clause Lead: Begins with a clause, which can be independent
or subordinate, and may function as a noun, adjective, or
adverbial clause.

Example: To synchronize with ASEAN integration standards, the

Board of Trustees of Batangas State College approved the new
grading system at the Commission on Higher Education Central
Office yesterday. (Subordinate, adverbial).
KINDS OF NOVELTY
LEAD
1. Narrative Lead - Engages the reader by relating them to a
character or situation in the story.

Example:
On the fifth of June 2015, Herodes Barabas, 34, experienced the
longest hour of his life during an entrance interview at Aklan
State University for the instructor I position.
2. Descriptive Lead - Creates a vivid mental picture of the
subject, commonly used in personality sketches and travelogues.

Example:
Palawan, a paradise of breathtaking grandeur, receives endless
praises from tourists who marvel at its seascapes, landscapes,
and cerulean waves that grace its shores. The cool and pristine
breeze completes the enchant
3. Quoted Statement Lead - Highlights a statement from a well-
known personality or celebrity, often used in school settings to
emphasize the message of a guest speaker.

Example:
"You have to spread your wings and fly!" emphasized Dr. Malou
H. Wang, the guest of honor and commencement speaker at
Mindanao State College last April 5.
4. Question Lead - Thought-provoking question that captures the
reader's interest and leads them to find the answer in the article.

Example:
When was the last time you told your mother you loved her? For
Maria Mantis, 35, the opportunity is lost as her mother lies
heedless inside her coffin.
5. Teaser: Short, witty device that arouses curiosity without
revealing the nature of the story, often using riddles.

Example: Which comes first, the hen or the egg? The egg
couldn't be made without the hen, but where does the hen come
from?
6. Punch Lead - Striking one-sentence lead that delivers impact.

Example:
Hungry farmers in Kidapawan asked for food, but were fed with
bullets by law enforcers.
7. Astonisher Lead - Uses an exclamatory sentence to evoke
strong emotional value in the reader.

Example:
Unbeatable, indeed! The Blue Titans have maintained their
supremacy, leaving all foes kneeling before their royalty throne at
the Intramural awarding ceremonies.
8. One Word Lead - Captures reader interest using a significant
word.

Example:
Boom! Residents in Basco, Batanes scattered as a restaurant
exploded on April 1, 2016, around 9:15 in the morning.
9. Parody Lead - Parodies a well-known quotation, song, poem,
book, or movie title.

Example:
"There was never an us!" Ms. Sug Poe echoed Sarah
Geronimo's famous movie line when asked about sharing stocks
in Paquino Airline Company.
10. Background Lead - Describes an event where the
background overshadows the individuals involved, often using
stories about carnivals, festivals, dances, etc.

Example:
With glittering bantings and a throng of rainbows, Gattaran,
Cagayan celebrated the Agsalukag Festival on April 13, 2016.
11. Freak Lead - Uses typographical effects to enhance appeal
and catch the reader's attention.

Example:
Wanted: Loyal Filipino Teachers. The Commission on Higher
Education made this appeal amidst the exodus of Filipino
teachers abroad.
12. Contrast Lead - Highlights opposites and extremes.

Example:
Last year, she campaigned for Maygur Yang as the student body
president. Today, Maria Malou Wang, head of Students
Performing Arts, calls for Yang's resignation.
13. Staccato Lead - Consists of a series of words and phrases
punctuated by periods, commas, or dashes.

Example:
Neglected
THE LTQLTQT FORMAT
IN NEWSWRITING

REPORTED BY: DOMINIC M. TARAC

BASIC RULES IN
NEWSWRITING
Use the inverted Pyramid

- This is how you organize your story. That means that most
fundamental, important information (the “based” of the pyramid)
goes up at the top, and information that is less crucial goes
further down in the story. To figure out what your basis is, think
about the five W’s: (Who, What, When, Where and Why)
Use Lead

- This is the iniviting entry point to your story. Think of it as the

introduction, the establishing shot that tells people what the story
is about using the most significant piece of information. Think
about what will grab people’s attention right at the start. Ideally,
keep the lead to one or two clear and concise sentences.
Nut Graf (or Graph)

- This is a critical paragraph that supports the lead with facts.

You’ve used the biggest piece of information up top- the nut guf
backs up that statement with details and moves the story along.
Attribution

- Anything that’s not a verifiable fact, like qoutes or opinion

statements, must be attributed to someone in the story- don’t just
let them hang out unsupported.
Identification

- When introducing a person in your story, use their full name

and title on first reference, but afterward refer to them by their
last name.

Example: “My students are some of the best and brightest,” said
Jane Doe, an economics professor.
Later in the story: “I can’t imagine a better place to conduct
research. “ Doe said.
Citing External Sources

- If another publication has featured one of your programs,

professors or students and you’d like to use a quote or
information from their piece, always attribute the name of the
publication and include a link to the article in question. Limit how
much his- keep it to no more than three qoutes or pieces of
information in any given story or news.
Keep it Simple

- Think about how you would explain it to anyone who’s not

intimately familiar with the story subject. If you absolutely must
use jargon or technical descriptions that wouldn’t be familiar to a
casual reader, add an explanation that breaks it down for those
who might need it.
Use Short Paragraphs

- This helps break up the information to make it easier to read. A

paragraph shouln’t be longer than 2-3 sentences all centered on
the same idea.
Headlines

- We like ‘em snappy! This follows the same guidelines as lead,

where you want to display the most compelling information you
have. Try to keep them on the shorter side (a good guideline
stays under 100 characters) and play with the format: use a
compelling qoute, a two-sentence headline, even a playful pun or
turn of phrase.
Use AP Style

- Follow the Associated Press Stylebook for formatting,

punctuation and style. There are a few Cal Poly-specific
exceptions, which you can find in our style guide.
THANK YOU