This document provides an overview of key concepts in news writing such as the components of a news article like the headline, lead, and inverted pyramid structure. It also discusses characteristics of a strong lead such as being concise, compelling, and answering the 5W's and H as well as different types of leads like the summary, quotation, question, and descriptive lead. The document concludes by explaining how to write a nut graph to provide context for a quotation lead.
2. • to introduce students to
the fundamentals of
news writing.
• to write a news article
3. Key Concepts in News Writing:
• News
• Headline
• Lead
• Inverted Pyramid
• Byline
• 5W's and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why,
How)
4. • News: News is current, factual, and relevant information.
• Headline: The title that summarizes the article.
• Lead: The opening paragraph that captures the reader's
attention.
• Inverted Pyramid: The structure that prioritizes information.
• Byline: The credit given to the article's author.
• 5W's and H: The questions—Who, What, Where, When, Why, and
How—that every news article should answer.
5. • Headline: This should be brief yet informative.
• Lead: It's the opening paragraph with the most
crucial information.
• Nut Graph: This provides context and expands on
the lead.
• Body: This is where you present additional details,
quotes, and supporting information.
• Conclusion: Lastly, the conclusion summarizes the
article.
8. A strong lead is
the heart of any
news article.
Characteristics of a
Strong News Lead:
It should be concise,
compelling, and
answer the 5W's
and H.
Types of Leads:
The summary lead,
quotation lead,
question and
descriptive lead.
9. A descriptive lead in news writing describes a person, place, or event
in vivid detail, focusing on setting the scene for the piece and using
language that taps into the five senses to paint a picture for the
reader. It can be used for both traditional news and feature stories
10. "If I get thrown out because of a
head butt, then this league has a
problem. It’s getting to where
you can’t touch anybody. You’ve
got to stand up for what you
believe in,’ said Dennis Rodman
of the San Antonio Spurs."
A quotation lead in news writing is a
direct quotation used in the first
paragraph of a news story. t is used
to grab the reader's attention and
add "life" to the story. Here are some
tips for writing a quotation lead:
• Choose a quotation that is
meaningful, interesting,
challenging, fascinating, hypnotic,
or curious
• The quotation should show the
character or personality of the
speaker
• Avoid summarizing the quote
before introducing it
• Use direct quotes to present the
opinions, emotions, and promises
of your sources
11. In this type of lead, the news
story's essential facts are
presented concisely and
straightforwardly. It answers the
basic questions: who, what,
where, when, why, and how.
"A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck
California on Tuesday, causing
widespread panic and damage. The
quake, which hit at 4:15 AM local time,
was centered in the Mojave Desert and
left many residents without power."
12. "What if you could travel back in
time? What if you could step into the
shoes of people who lived centuries
ago? In a groundbreaking new exhibit
at the National History Museum,
these questions are not just
hypothetical; they're becoming a
reality."
A question lead directly poses a question to the
reader, encouraging engagement and inviting them
to read further for the answer.
13. A straight lead delivers the key information right at the
beginning of the article, providing the most important details
upfront.
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0
struck the coastal region early this morning,
triggering widespread panic and causing
significant damage to infrastructure."
14.
15. The NBA's rules regarding physical contact have
become increasingly strict, according to Dennis
Rodman of the San Antonio Spurs. Rodman believes
that players should be able to stand up for themselves
and that the league has a problem if he gets thrown
out for a headbutt.
The nut graph contextualizes the quotation by
explaining the issue at hand, which is the NBA's rules
regarding physical contact. It also highlights Rodman's
opinion on the matter and why it is significant.
The nut graph for the quotation lead "‘If I get thrown out
because of a head butt, then this league has a problem. It’s
getting to where you can’t touch anybody. You’ve got to stand
up for what you believe in,’ said Dennis Rodman of the San
Antonio Spurs" could be above.....
16. Present additional details, quotes,
and supporting information.
Remember, clarity and coherence
are crucial.