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Newswriting tips
This document provides newswriting tips for reporters, including keeping leads short (usually 35 words or fewer), varying sentence lengths, limiting paragraphs to 60 words or fewer, avoiding new information at the end of stories, using simple words, respecting people with disabilities, and preferring simple sentence structures. It encourages careful editing to eliminate unnecessary words and correct grammar and punctuation. Reporters are advised to ask for help and reference the AP Stylebook.
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Newswriting tips
- 1. Newswriting Tips Boring-but-important adviceevery reporter should memorize.
- 2. Writing Leads Keepleads short. Usually 35 words or fewer. Try to limit leads to one or two sentences. The first 5 – 10 words determine if the lead will be an attention getter. Remember, what happened makes a better story than the fact it did.
- 3. The Rest ofthe Story Vary your sentence lengths. Remember that short paragraphs encourage readers to continue reading. Limit paragraphs to: 60 words or fewer No more than 10 typeset lines, or One to three sentences.
- 4. The Rest ofthe Story Paragraphs should generally only contain one idea. Quotes stand alone as their own paragraphs. Do not start a quote ½ way through a paragraph. Avoid introducing new information at the end of a story. Carefully placed transitions guide the reader from one thought to another.
- 5. Editing and Style Eliminate words such as when asked and concluded. Omit the word that whenever possible. On first reference, use the person’s first and last name (and title if necessary). On second reference use last name only (no titles). Use spell-checker and the AP Stylebook. Ask for help!
- 6. Rules of Grammar KNOW THEM! Know the difference between: It’s/its; who’s/whose; their/there/they’re
- 7. Word Choices Eliminatelazy adverbs, let strong verbs do their jobs. Instead of the radio played loudly, use the radio blared. Eliminate lazy adjectives, let strong nouns do their jobs. Instead of gang members created a chaotic scene use gansters created chaos. Use simple words. Don’t send readers to the dictionary.
- 8. Word Choices Avoidwords that reinforce ethnic, racial, gender or ageist stereotypes. Avoid referring to someone’s ethnicity, race, gender or age unless it is essential for the story. Use he or she instead of he. Respect people with disabilities.
- 9. Punctuation When indoubt about using a comma, leave it out. Use an exclamation mark only after brief expletives. Fire! Run! Goal! If you ever catch yourself overusing a set of punctuation marks, force yourself to stop. Simple sentence structures are always the best.
- 10. Punctuation When indoubt about using a comma, leave it out. Use an exclamation mark only after brief expletives. Fire! Run! Goal! If you ever catch yourself overusing a set of punctuation marks, force yourself to stop. Simple sentence structures are always the best.