This document provides an overview of journalistic writing. It defines journalistic writing and distinguishes it from other text types. The purposes and structure of journalistic writing are explained. Specifically, it notes that journalistic writing aims to give readers information in an objective manner by relying on facts. The standard structure is the inverted pyramid, where the most important information is at the top. Key features of journalistic texts like catchy headlines and leading paragraphs with the 5Ws are also outlined. Sample exercises are provided for students to practice journalistic writing.

1. Lesson 2
Journalistic Writing

2. Learning
Competencies
1
Distinguish between and
among informative,
journalistic, and literary
writing (EN9WC-Ia-8,
EN9WC-Ib-8, and EN9WC-Ic-
8)
2
Examine sample texts
representative of each
type (EN9WC-Id-8.1).

3. Objectives
● determine and explain the purpose and
features of journalistic texts; and
● explain the structure and organization of
journalistic texts.

4. Essential Question
What distinguishes a journalistic text from
other text types?

5. Warm Up
In groups of seven members each, bring a newspaper (daily
broadsheet) and cut out the following: the headline news,
one major feature in the features section, the main editorial,
and the main sports news.
Paste them on a manila paper, labeling each part properly.

6. Warm Up
Guide Questions:
● Was your group able to identify and cut out all the
required sections of the newspaper?
● Did you encounter any difficulties doing the task? If
so, specify and explain.

7. What is informative writing?
What are its purpose and structure? What
are its features?’
Review
.

8. Learn about It!
Journalistic writing
● a style of writing used to report news stories in
newspapers, even in television broadcasts, on radio, or
on the Internet
● written in short sentences and paragraphs and
quickly gets to the point

9. Learn about It!
Purposes of Journalistic Writing
● gives readers information
● can also entertain
● can be persuasive without choosing sides,
maintaining the balance between two opposing ideas

10. Learn about It!
In order for journalistic writing to be effective, it has to
present information in an objective manner. Journalistic
writing relies on facts and evidence, rather than on
opinion or emotional appeals.

11. Learn about It!
Structure of a Journalistic Text

12. Learn about It!
Other journalistic articles such as feature articles and
opinion/editorial articles do not necessarily subscribe to
the inverted pyramid, as features can be more flexible to
suit the interests of the reader.

13. Learn about It!

14. Learn about It!
Features of Journalistic Texts
1. A journalistic text has a catchy headline to grab the
reader's’ attention.
2. A journalistic text starts with a lead. This paragraph
contains the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)
and identifies the basic information the readers should
know.
3. The main body of journalistic text is written in
paragraphs.

15. Learn about It!
4. The body of a journalistic text should include direct or
indirect quotes to support the facts it presents.
5. A journalistic text is written in third person and avoids
personal opinion and bias.
6. Since journalistic reports happen in the past, they are
generally written in the past tense.

16. Learn about It!
7. Pictures with captions are often included in the text
as support.
8. Journalistic texts should answer the following
questions: What is the latest? What is happening to the
people involved now?

17. Learn about It!
Hundreds Gather in the Shores of Manila Bay
MANILA, Philippines - Despite the local government’s ban on
swimming in the polluted waters of Manila Bay and the unceasing
efforts of both public and private organizations and volunteers to clean
up the shoreline, hundreds of people still continue to flock to the
shores and bay area.
The Department of Health also warned the public against swimming in
the bay, disclosing that although the water seemed to be clean, it was
still not safe to bathe in.

18. Learn about It!
Many Filipinos commended the first stage of the Manila Bay
rehabilitation when photos of a garbage-free coastline went
viral.
This development was brought about by the cleanup drive last
January 27. Various groups composed of government workers
and volunteers took part in this initiative.

19. Writing Prompts
Write a journalistic text about each of the following topics.
1. If you had a column in the country’s leading broadsheet,
what would you write about? Explain your answer and write
a short example.
2. Which would you prefer to write: a news headline or an
editorial? Provide an explanation and write a short example
of your choice.
3. Choose a current national issue or event and write a
journalistic text about it. Make sure to cite your sources.

20. Writing Prompts
Criteria Beginning
(1 point)
Developing
(2 points)
Accomplished
(3 points)
Score
Content/
Substance
More than one of the
works submitted lack
an explanation. The
examples were
inappropriate and lack
important details
about the topic.
One of the works
submitted lacks an
explanation. The
examples are
appropriate and
contain some details
about the topic.
An explanation is
given for each of the
prompts. The
examples are
appropriate and
contain important
and accurate details
about the topic.
Organization The inverted pyramid
structure is not used
for news stories. The
articles lack either the
introduction or
conclusion or both.
The inverted pyramid
structure is used for
one news article. The
articles have an
introduction, body,
and conclusion.
The inverted
pyramid structure is
used whenever
appropriate. All the
articles have a
distinct
introduction, body,
and conclusion.

21. Writing Prompts
Criteria Beginning
(1 point)
Developing
(2 points)
Accomplished
(3 points)
Score
Unity The ideas do not flow
smoothly from one
to another; several
ideas are unrelated
to the topic.
The ideas flow
smoothly from one
to another, but an
idea or two are not
related to the topic.
The sentences
flow smoothly
from one to
another. The ideas
are all related to
the topic.
Language
(spelling,
mechanics,
grammar, and
word choice)
There are 7 or more
language errors
throughout the
submitted articles.
There are 4–6
language errors
throughout the
submitted articles.
There are 0–3
language errors
throughout the
submitted articles.
Score:

22. Values Integration
As a young student, how would you use
journalistic writing if you have the opportunity to
share information that can change the way people
look at other people, places, and the whole Filipino
community?

23. Synthesis
1. Form two groups. The teacher will randomly assign which
group is “in” and which one is “out.”
2. Each member of the “in” group will write a news report
about anything inside the school. The “out” group will write
a news report about anything found outside the school.

24. Synthesis
3. As a wrap up, answer the following questions:
How did you feel about the activity? What were the challenges
involved in writing your own journalistic text?

25. Assignment
Look for a news report about a single current event in three
major newspapers in circulation here in the Philippines.
a. Using the inverted pyramid structure, analyze how
they presented the news article by examining how
each newspaper outlined the details of the event or
issue. Determine similarities and differences.
b. Write your own news article about the same issue or
current event.