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Michael Pilipovich. Chapter 4: Writing the News Story. Overview. Provide headline, the summary, and the full story. Effective writing and reporting is used in all medias. Parts: 1. Learning what is and isn’t news. 2. Gathering the information. 3. Organizing notes and developing the story.
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Michael Pilipovich Chapter 4: Writing the News Story
Overview • Provide headline, the summary, and the full story. • Effective writing and reporting is used in all medias. • Parts: • 1. Learning what is and isn’t news. • 2. Gathering the information. • 3. Organizing notes and developing the story.
Inverted Pyramid Form • Writing through descending order. • Most important facts first to draw audience. • Next paragraphs explain what was said in detail. • These include five W’s and H.
Cont’d • Focus statement to draw readers. • Follow with 5 W’s and H. • These “flesh out” what was stated in intro. • Give quotes because straight facts are boring. • Length is important • Three or under sentences • The longer, the worse • Bottom of pyramid still has facts, just not as interesting. • Ex. Obituary
Modified Inverted Pyramid • Often used to recap something. • Short paragraphs. • New paragraphs for quotes. • New facts at the end.
Words • Make sure the story coheres and has flow. • Use pronouns and adjectives to add coherence. • Ex. This, that, these, those • Use transition words to tie paragraphs together. • Then, now, shortly, afterward, later, etc…
Attribution and Quotes • Giving who said something is essential to credibility and professionalism. • Controversial info should be direct quoted. • Fact, fact, quote, fact, quote • Stay away from giving even slightest opinion. • Ex. Game was successful vs. coach’s word. • Editorializing is giving personal potion. • Watch adjectives.
Becoming a Better News Writer • Always be fair and balanced. • Make a good use of words. • Begin with interesting fact. • Use direct words. • Conflagration vs. fire • Concept vs. idea
Cont’d • Tight writing • Reached an agreement vs. agreed • Held a meeting vs. met • Put in an appearance vs. appeared • Use exact verbs and action voice verbs • What the common man understands. • Make nouns precise • Dog vs. bulldog • Book vs. bible • Injury vs. broken hand
Clichés & Slang • Use clichés wisely. • Always quote them. • A way to identify with the reader and make a connection. • Don’t use slang unless it is in a quote.
