Lets talk about news writing

CUFWRT301A: Write content for a range of media

News WritingLet’s talk about …

Today’s objective

To identify the key writing techniques used in new stories.

The three golden rules…

There are three golden rules to news writing. Keep it:

Short

Sweet

To the point

Keeping it short

600 words and underNews stories are usually between 100 and 600 words, depending on the importance and placement of the story.

For example:A news short might be around 100 words.A front page story will be closer to 600.

Keeping it short

Why do we keep it short?

Information, fastNews writing is structured to give as much information as quickly as possible.

News is designed to inform a wide audienceRemember that your news story is going to be read by people of different ages, backgrounds and reading levels. Writing in a short and simple style helps everyone understand the news of the day.

Keeping it short

Use simple wordsIn news writing we always try and use the simplest word available.

For example:“I find that writing with loud music is an impediment towriting clearly”.

A better way to write this sentence would be:

“I find that writing with loud music prevents me fromwriting clearly”.

Keeping it short

Avoid long sentencesKeep your sentences as short as you can. It makes it easier for the reader to understand what you are trying to say.

For example:This session provides the basic techniques of news writing, which is part of a VET course that also aims to improve writing skills.

A better way to write this sentence would be:

This session covers the basic news writing techniques. It also aims to improve writing skills.

Keeping it sweet

Strong openingsThe opening of a news story—called a ‘lead’—is the primary way journalists draw the reader into their story, and is often the most important part.

A good lead should do several things: - give readers the main points of the story - get readers interested in reading the story - accomplish both in as few words as possible.

Keeping it sweet

Use active! sentencesWhen writing a news story we want to grab people’s attention. One simple way to do this is to use active sentences.

Active sentences are more subtle than other ways of grabbing attention, but they are also infinitely more important.

Understanding active sentences is the sign of a good news writer.

Keeping it sweet

Passive vs active—what is an active sentence?Active sentences are also known as subject-verb-object. Simply put, the subject should start a sentence whenever possible.

For example:Active Passive

She read the book. The book was read by her.

Keeping it sweet

Passive

All of the pie was eaten by the boys.

The toy was broken by Sarah.

The performance was really appreciated by me.

Active

The boys ate all the pie.

Sarah broke the toy.

I liked the performance.

More examples:

Keeping it to the point

Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?A good news story provides answers to each of these questions.

Who: who is the story about? What: what is the story about? Where: where did the event occur? When: when did it occur? Why: why did this happen? How: how did this happen?

Keeping it to the point

For example:Let’s say you’re writing a story about a man who was injured when he fell off a ladder. Here are your five W’s and H:

Who: the man What: fell off a ladder while painting Where: at his house When: yesterday Why: the ladder was rickety How: the rickety ladder broke

Keeping it to the point

So your lead might go something like this:

A man was injured yesterday when he fell off a rickety

ladder that collapsed while he was painting his house.

That sums up the main points of the story in just 20 words, which is all you need for the lead.

Short, sweet and to the point!

Wrap up

In writing a news story we need to keep it…

Short:under 600 wordswith simple languagefree from long sentences

Sweet:starting with a strong opening or lead

To the point:following the 5Ws and H

Recap: What we’ve previously looked at

Planning your story- how to generate ideas- identifying requirements- working to a deadline- working with relevant personnel

Sourcing information- government departments- press releases- expert opinion- interviews- the internet