Sports writing focuses on reporting on athletic competitions and events in a lively manner by describing the physical action, score/outcome, comparison of competing teams, significance of results, weather conditions, crowd celebrations, individual star players, and spectacular plays. Writers often use metaphorical language to describe games and plays, comparing athletic competitions to battles with words like "fought hard" and "prevailed." Effective sports writing also provides statistics and quotes to support the narrative from a fair and unbiased perspective.

1. Sports Writing
“Put your head in the game.”

2. Sports

3. male readers
read
sports stories

4. knowledge
of sports

5. rules
team
strategy
player record
The manner of reporting athletic
events varies with the sport. One
thing is certain: SPORTS
WRITING is livelier because the
writer deals with physical motion
and action.
knowledge
of sports
know various sports
how sports are played

6. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

7. Score or outcome

8. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

9. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

10. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

11. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

12. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

13. Score or outcome
Comparison of the
teams
Significance of the
results
Weather condition
Crowd and celebration
Individual stars
Spectacular plays

14. Sportswriters often write about athletic
competitions as if they were wars or crusades.

15. In other words…
they use a
metaphor to
describe the
action.

16. If it sounds as if
these words are
describing a
battle, that's
because they are
meant to.

17. Quest Dominated
Fought hard Prevailed
Attacked Chased down
Neutralized Advanced
Heroic Warriors
Metaphorically Speaking...
Here are some common
words and phrases that you
might read in a newspaper
sports section:

18. 1. Be MINOR
ENTHUSIAST
S.
Know about
BASKETBALL,
BASEBALL, and all the
games you’re going to
write about.
2. Write for the
average reader.
Write simply with no
unusual and technical
terms.

19. 3. Use the
active voice
Say “Jordan tossed
the ball,” not “The
ball was tossed by
Jordan”
4. Write with
vigor
Use strong verbs but not
necessarily “murderous”
verbs like trample,
torpedo, trounce, whip,
polish, murder.

20. 5. Be fair Don’t take sides.
Don’t be a home
booster
6. Support your
story with
quotes
Get additional
facts from players,
coaches, and
spectators..

21. 7. Describe the
players
Make readers see
what you have seen.
8. Be on the constant
lookout for unusual
incidents and angles.

22. 9. Be careful with
the statistics you
use for box
scores, league
standings, hitting
averages.

23. 10. Never use ten
words when
seven will do.
Study and analyze the
techniques of
outstanding sports
writers.
11. Read the BEST
sports writing in
the dailies.