Newswriting Lecture for Journalism Seminar-Workshops

1. PRINCIPLES
OF NEWS WRITING
by: JOJI UBALDO CABATIC
Resource Person
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
basyo1981@gmail.com
09303626884/09977636003

2. WHAT IS NEWS?
-NEWS is current event based on facts
- News is defined as a timely factual report
of events, ideas or situations that are
interesting.
- News gives the reader information that will
impact them in some way. It usually flows
from most important to least important
detail.

3. FACTORS OF NEWS
In order to fully understand and clearly evaluate any
event, consider the following:
*TIMELINESS/IMMEDIACY – the value of news depends
upon the newness or the immediacy of the happening
*PROMINENCE – most of the readers are interested to
read more about people, places, celebrities and others
which are common and familiar
*PROXIMITY – the immediate concerns of the readers
come first in a scale of values

4. *ODDITY – journalists must always have the “nose for
news” for events which are indeed rare, unusual and
unique
*CONFLICT – intense conflict of different political
groups, organizations and the like, are essential in
catching the attention of readers
*SUSPENSE – the continuing suspense of day-to-day
news events will always attract the attention of readers
*SIGNIFICANCE – a news story is appealing to the
readers, irrespective of its point of origin, such as local,
community, national and international
.

5. 7 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A NEWS STORY
The 5 W's, an H and the "So What?" of News
-What?
- What is going on? What happened?
- key moments in the story and the forces that have
created the issue or alternately, fixed the problem.
-Who?
- this is to highlight any people who may be
involved in the story. Find the major players,
knowledgeable sources, stakeholders, etc.

6. - When?
- it is important to include a timeline of events
- At what point does the story begin and when does it
end? (For future articles on the issue, an accurate
timeline can be a useful tool.)
- Where?
- Where is the action?
- Consider what the location looks like, sounds like and
smells like as well as any surrounding locations that
might impact the story.
-A great news writer would be able to make the reader
"see" the location with minimal words.
-Why?
- "Why did this thing happen?“

7. - How?
-readers will want to gain insight into how the event
happened, how the story was revealed and how the
end has played out.
- So what?
- "Why should I care about this story?"
- Writers need to gain a firm grasp early in the
writing of the article about why their story matters.
For people to stick around and keep reading they
should know why this story relates to them, impacts
their life or is simply important for people to know
about.

8. WRITING THE LEAD
Craft a Lead that Will Hook Readers and Won't Let Go
Remember your “journalistic seven!” (5W’s & 1H, So what)
CHARACTERISTICS of GOOD LEAD
 It should be simple, brief, compact, vigorous and attractive
 Complete. Choose the most important question and put it
FIRST in your notes.
 Carry an individual touch. Avoid beginning with non-
essential details such as “last evening, etc.”

9.  A gunman shot four people inside a pharmacy in a
New York suburb Sunday morning, killing everyone
inside the store in what police said looked like a
robbery gone wrong.
Summary Lead
Go straight to the point.
It is by far the most widely used.
The Summary lead is the most basic news lead,
covering all of the essential elements. Simply
summarize the 5 W's of news reporting. Who, What,
Where, When and Why
KINDS OF LEAD

10. What Lead
 The NCAE will be administered to all graduating
students desiring to enroll in College.
Who Lead
 Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo addressed the
PMA graduates in Baguio City.
Where Lead
 The Philippines will be the site of the next Miss
Earth Contest.

11. Why Lead
 Because of poverty, around a hundred students
dropped out from school last year. This was
verbalized by Sec. Jesli A. Lapus.
When Lead
 August 1 is the deadline for filing application forms for
the SLU-CEE.
How Lead
 By appealing to the Local Government Unit, the
Capulaan National High School was able to
construct a three-storey concrete building.

12. Infinitive Phrase Lead
 To encourage tourism, balikbayans are given a
warm welcome by their fellow Filipinos.
Prepositional Phrase Lead
 With brooms and other cleaning equipment, boy
scouts from the San Mariano National High
School cleaned the barangay area in consonance
with Mayor Herminio Cabasag’s Clean and Green
Drive.

13. Gerundial Phrase Lead
 Winning the development communication trophy
during the Division Schools Press Conference was
San Mariano National High School’s best
achievement for the year.
Participial Phrase Lead
 Dressed like priests, robbers were able to enter
the bank.

14. Astonisher Lead
 Better look your best this week!
Clause Lead
 Because August is the month of the National
Language, students are encourage to speak
Filipino.

15. Epigram Lead
 Like father, like son.
Contrast Lead
 Four months before the Beautification and
Cleanliness Drive, Surgui First was the dirtiest
barangay.

16. Background Lead
 The San Mariano National High School campus
turned into a miniature carnival ground during its
35th founding anniversary. Decorated with buntings
and multi-colored lights, the quadrangle was a
grand setting for barrio fiesta.
Picture Lead
 The new principal, although only in his early thirties
is already silver-haired. He seldom talks, but when
he does, he talks with sense.

17. Parody Lead
 Water, water everywhere, but no water to drink.
This was what the flood victims found to their
dismay.
Punch Lead
 Victory Day!
San Mariano National High School celebrated their
winning in the Division Math Olympiad.

18. Question Lead
Sometimes the question is in the facts of the
story.
 Will the new year bring religious
revival in the Philippines? This
question was asked by Dr. Conception
of the 1,000 pastors at the Annual
Evangelical Ministers Conference held
in PICC last night.

19. Descriptive lead
A descriptive lead describes how an event
happened rather than simply telling what the
event is about.
This is suitable in writing up special occasions.
 Buckingham Palace cleared its calendar and
filled with romantic ambiance as the royal
wedding of Prince William and long-time
girlfriend Kate Middleton, set for Friday, April 29
at London's historic Westminster Abbey.

20. Startling statement
The pope is dead!
Shortly after noon today, Pope
Charles XVII suffered a coronary
attack, as he was walking in the Vatican
grounds.

21. Quote Lead
If you use this type of lead, make
sure you see a worthwhile or striking
quote.
 “Manila time is whacking Miley Cyrus out.”
That was the first tweet about the city from the
American teenage pop star as she left Los Angeles
for her “Gypsy Heart” world tour. She reportedly
created a new account to keep her fans updated
about the tour.

22. Summary-quote lead
Use no quotation marks. Just state
or narrate what was said using the
quote.
 President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday that
there will be no oil price hike this month before the
Consumers Group Conference.

23. A Nueva Ecija delegate clinched the top place in
newswriting at the Regional Schools Press
Conference held July 12 in San Fernando,
Pampanga. (Blind Lead)
Jolas B. Zephyr, editor in chief of The
BCISian, campus paper of the Blessed Children
Integrated School bested some 75 division-level
winners. (Bridge)
Blind Lead and Bridge

24. A high school freshman was slightly injured
Sunday near the school in what police described
as a one-in-a-million freak accident. (Blind Lead)
Stephen G. Cruz, 12, was treated and
discharged from the Cabiao General Hospital
following the noon accident in which his bicycle
was hit twice by the same tricycle. (Bridge)
Blind Lead and Bridge

25. The Body
The details of the summary lead
One sentence, one paragraph format
Arranged from most important to the least important
Sentences are generally less than 25 words
Use transitional devices
Include quotes

26. -No matter what news value or interest a story may have, it must
conform to a particular format or style.
Inverted pyramid style is the form of MOST news stories
NEWS STRUCTURE
Advantage:
It condenses
information
efficiently, letting
readers understand
the basics of what
happened quickly
and easily.
Disadvantages: It
can get repetitive.
It might discourage
you from a more
creative lead.
It can get bogged
down with facts
and details.

27. Hourglass Model
Hourglass Model starts with a summary of the event and key facts
with transitions to a narrative or chronological format. This works best
for crime or disaster stories when you need to tell what happened from
beginning to end.

28. Transition/Quote Model
Transition - Quote (L-Q-T-Q) model is a modification of the inverted
pyramid that allows for more flexibility and is easy and better for
beginning journalists to use.

29. Quotes in News
Should be linked to the transition/lead before them. The
quote should elaborate on the transition.
 President Donald Trump will make a brief
appearance at the high school Thursday after
giving a speech at the County Expo Center.
“He is coming as a favor to me,” Principal Ike
Sumter said. “We worked together in Chicago as
community organizers. I hope he gets a chance to
speak to some seniors about what they can do for
their country.”

30. Quotes in News
Should not repeat the transition/lead before them
 President Barack Obama will make a brief
appearance at the high school Thursday
after giving a speech at the County Expo
Center.
“After speaking at the Expo Center, the
candidate will come to the high school for a
short appearance,” Principal Ike Sumter
said.

31. Quotes in News
Can be longer than one sentence.
Should have attribution after the first sentence of the
quote.
Attribution should be: Noun then verb.
Do not place two people’s direct quotes next to each
other without a transition.
Correct - senior Bob Rodriguez said.
Incorrect - said senior Bob Rodriguez.

32. Transitions in News
VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. Hold the story together. Link
the paragraphs together.
Can be fact, indirect quote or a partial quote.
FACT TRANSITION
Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain
will speak to seniors Friday about his experience as a
prisoner of war. (Lead)
“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment
when they hear Sen. McCain,” Principal Ike Sumter said.
“We are so excited that he agreed to come.” (Direct
Quote)
During the Vietnam War, Sen. McCain was a prisoner
of war for five years. (Fact Transition)

33. INDIRECT QUOTE TRANSITION
Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain
will speak to seniors Friday about his experience as a
prisoner of war. (Lead)
“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment
when they hear Sen. McCain,” Principal Ike Sumter said.
“We are so excited that he agreed to come.” (Direct Quote)
Sumter said he was moved after hearing Sen. McCain
speak about his imprisonment. (IQ Transition)

34. The Transition/Quote (T/Q) Formula
Sumter said he “had tears in his eyes” when he heard
Sen. McCain speak about his imprisonment.
“It is amazing what this man survived,” Sumter said.
“He was tortured daily, but every day he told his fellow
soldiers to hold their head high. Someone was coming for
them.”
Sen. McCain said the experience was a “living hell,”
but he never gave up hope.
“I knew I would make it back to American soil one
day,” he said. “Hope is always alive, and that was part of
my message as a presidential candidate, too.”

35. Use transitional words to help with the flow (as needed):
After all, Also, Finally, In addition, However, Otherwise, Then
 In addition to speaking about his experience as a
prisoner of war, McCain also plans to talk to students
about the importance of voting.

36.  Pay attention to the “Additional
Information.”
 Read the entire fact/data sheet.
 Review it again, looking for the newest
information. Underline that information.
GETTING STARTED…
 Highlight or underline the 5Ws and H
 Highlight or underline the most
important people interviewed. Highlight
or underline the most essential quotes.
 Scratch out ridiculous quotes.

37. GETTING STARTED…
Write the Lead.
One or two sentences indicating
all the essential elements of news
(5Ws and1H and/or So what)
Play with the words but GO
STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.

38. Who: NPAs passing off as gov’t soldiers
(communist guerrillas)
What: blocked a national highway and
shoot police and civilian
Where: Barangay Pasian,
Compostella Valley
When: Thursday

39. Communist guerrillas passing off
as government soldiers blocked a national
highway in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo,
Compostela Valley, and shot dead a
policeman and a civilian Thursday, police
said.

40. Write the body.
• Facts (important events, other persons
involved, etc)
•Quotations (from reliable person/s)
•Highlights of the event

41. Senior Supt. Aaron Aquino, Compostela
Valley police chief, said members of the New
People’s Army, wearing Army uniforms, set up a
roadblock on the Davao-Agusan Highway .
At least 50 guerrillas flagged down vehicles
and conducted searches, according to Aquino.
Among those flagged down was the
motorcycle carrying SPO3 Benjamin Langbid of
the Caraga regional police office who was on his
way to duty with an unidentified companion on
the motorcycle.
“The guerrillas shot dead Langbid and his
civilian companion, when Langbid resisted being
searched. Langbid was able to fire back, killing
one guerrilla,” Aquino said.

42. End.
•How did the story end?
•Least important details.
•If there are future undertakings (follow-up
actions) about the story, you may include
them.

43. Col. Roberto Domines, head of
the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, said a
civilian, who was also unidentified, was
also injured when the guerrillas fired at a
van when its driver sped past the NPA
roadblock.
Aquino said the attack lasted
less than 30 minutes and the guerrillas
fled with the body of their slain comrade.
He said the police suspected that
the roadblock was intended for Langbid.
-End

44. Checklist for News Stories
 Are the most important and recent facts first?
Is the story accurate? Are the sources fully identified?
Are the paragraphs short?
Is the sentence structure varied in the story?
Is the story neatly written so that it is easy to read?
Does your story has a nice flow? Did you use the
transition/quote formula?
Did you use active voice?

45. Pitfalls to Avoid
 Editorializing - Keep your opinion out of the story
 Using first and second person - Keep yourself out of the story.
Common error “our school”
 Missing the news peg
 Messy handwriting, poor grammar and spelling
 Too long paragraphs
 Misspelled names in the story
 Trying to use all of the information

46. What went wrong?
During the 2010-11 school year, our school has reported 22
fights so far. Last year, the school had 18 total fights.
“One of my friends got in a fight, but he didn’t start it. He was
defending himself,” said freshman Andy Opel.
In response to the escalating fights, the school district hired the
Teen Conflict Resolution Team to help students solve
disagreements through non-violent solutions.
After March 23, any student caught fighting on campus must
complete a TCRT non-violence workshop, in addition to normal
disciplinary actions.
“Students have to learn how to solve life’s problems without
violence, and this program will teach our students just that,” said
Mr. Brown.
“Now students will get suspended and be forced to attend this
program,” Opal said. “That’s just too much.”

47. POINTS TO REMEMBER!
 News articles are usually composed of 5-8 paragraphs.
 ONE SENTENCE-ONE PARAGRAPH.
 Go straight to the point!
 When writing on the same year, no need to right the year.
 Keep your opinion to yourself.
 Beware of libel case!
 No plagiarism.