elements of sports writing

1. ELEMENTS OF SPORTS WRITING

2. 1. WRITING
-the way a piece is written is the
most important aspect.

3. 2. INTERESTING TOPICS OR STORIES
-THIS IS A SUBJECTIVE CATEGORY

4. IS IT INTERESTING?

5. 4. GOOD QUOTES/INTERVIEWS
-EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF
SPORTS ARTICLES

6. 5. IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE
-IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A
SPORTS WRITER KNOWS AND
DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE SPORTS
HE IS WRITING ABOUT

7. 6. BASICS OF JOURNALISM
-WHAT
- WHEN
-WHY
-WHO
-WHERE
-HOW

9. THE SPORTS LEAD

10. -IT IS NORMALLY A ONE SENTENCE
SUMMARY OF THE ESSENTIAL W’s
AND H.
-IT NORMALLY USES THE WHO AND
HOW AS THE LEAD EMPHASIS

11. SUMMARY LEAD
-the who and the how will be the lead
emphasis.

12. EXAMPLE
Alvin Gecko’s second-half scoring
binge led the Pensacola Goshawks to a
come-from-behind 94-93 victory over
the Saufley Mole Chickens in
Wednesday night’s basketball opener
at Tallship Field House.

13. What is the lead emphasis?
Who- Alvin Gecko
How- his scoring binge

14. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
LEAD
- a type of lead that emphasizes
background information or locker
room quotes to attract the readers.