- Main Points – topic sentence, 5Ws and a hook to keep the audience reading.
- Additional essential information – Starts to develop story.
- Less important information – can afford to drop
without losing stories meaning.
Background info or comparable
stories.
Basic writing skills
· Headline
· Accurate/and in the present tense
· First sentence – 5 Ws, No more than 22 words as a grab line.
· First paragraph – Made reader curious. Include a hook.
· Be Accurate – Facts should be correct.
· Avoid Clichés
· Search for special ingredients – makes your story stand out.
· Paragraphs throughout – should consist of only 2 or 3 sentences.
· Use quotes. (expert opinion or direct witness)
· Keep language simple.
9 golden rules.
1. KISS – Keep It Short and Simple.
Local papers normally have shorted sentences of between 16 – 20 words.
Keep to familiar vocabulary which the broadest audience can access.
2. Read For Speed
Sentences and headlines are short.
Cross heads break the story down into bite size pieces
Columns are narrow and easy to read.
3. Never Use 3 Words When one will do
You will rarely see the following phrases in newspapers.
“In the near future.” “In the first instance.” “On the subject of.” “In the small hours.” “In continence of.”
4. Don’t repeat yourself.
Don’t use two words which mean the same thing
e.g.” Uniquely special” “Final Outcome” “Important essentials”
5. Use active verbs.
e.g.” burglars took the corgi” rather than the “corgi was taken by the burglars.”
6. Play with language
Use puns – e.g. Chippy gets a battering. Steve Davis arrived on cue.
7. Make the story personal
People sell papers. – Pictures and stories
8. Categories people in the news.
E.g. grey hairs pensioner, secrete lover, mother of two, retires teachers 65.
9. Things to avoid
Clichés, euphemisms, being too chatty, unnecessary American phrase.
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