THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
1. THE 5 W's AND THE H
Journalists are concerned with the 5 W's and the H questions.
Any good newspaper article will provide answers to all of these questions, and will do so in the introduction or first few lines.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
2. ANGLES:
From whose point of view are we seeing the story?
The policeman, the victim of the accident, the innocent
driver, the speeding driver, a witness, the ambulance-man, the doctor who treats them?
3. HEADLINE/CAPTION/ TITLE
Usually designed to grab attention. Employs puns, word plays, subverts syntax, colloquialism, ambiguity, vagueness, provocative comments, exclamations, questions, subverts famous sayings, shocks, alliteration, metaphors, personification, no articles and prepositions, clichés, idioms
4. INTRODUCTION (The Lead)
This is the first line of the article and generally contains all the important facts about the event. It does not have too many details, which will be filled in later.
5. INVERTED PYRAMID FORMAT
Newspaper articles must be written in the inverted pyramid format. This means the most important, most vital facts should be mentioned first, with the less important facts mentioned later in the article. The first paragraph must be more important than the second, and the second paragraph more important than the third and so on. When wondering what facts to write about next, ask, "What's the most important fact that I've yet to address?" This will give a newspaper article greater direction.
4. TIME/ CHRONOLOGY
In a newspaper article, the sequence of events will not follow the past, present, future pattern strictly like a story would. The writer is free to move about in time when reporting the events.
5. THE LANGUAGE OF NEWS STORIES
Concentrate on the main point of the news (WHAT)
Do not use more than 25-30 words per paragraph/ sentence.
ONE complex well-constructed sentence in each paragraph.
Use long, complex sentences
Use the active rather than the passive voice.
Be specific and clear.
Use simple language.
Facts are more important than your opinions. Don’t be judgemental.
Little metaphorical language, unless used by an eye-witness etc impersonal - written in the third person
uses direct speech at least once.
uses quotes by authority figures, doctors, witnesses, victims etc
background info to set this story in context / perspective
written mostly in the past tense.
uses simple, uncomplicated language.
uses cliches which the readers understand.
uses short rather than long words.
uses concrete rather than abstract vocabulary.
uses statistics and figures, depending on the subject.
focuses on facts rather than opinions.
uses few adjectives and adverbs, if any.
sometimes uses emotive and colourful vocabulary.
does not use slang or contractions, unless spoken by someone.
sentences are written in full.
imagery is seldom used, and only by a speaker.
6. CONCLUSION
Can be forward looking.
Make a prediction
A parting thought from the writer
A warning/ word of advice
Link to other similar/ related incidents
Next step in the process
Where to get more information
What to do if you experience a similar thing
A quotation
Some historical connection
7. THINKING CRITICALLY/ ANALYSING NEWS STORIES
What is the purpose of the article?
Which are the facts? The opinions?
Is it a fair story and balanced?
Does it take sides or support one side?
Is the language appropriate?
Are people insulted or hurt by it?
Are wild and unproved accusations made?
Is it believable? Is the writer trustworthy?
Are you trying to influence, educate, persuade, inform, entertain?
8. PROVIDE SUPPORT:
All claims and arguments need attribution. If you're making an assertion in the article, this must be attributed to someone. Ask yourself, "According to who?" If information in an article cannot be attributed to a reliable, appropriate source, it's not suitable for publication. This will avoid the publication of erroneous claims, rumors and hearsay.
9. No “big” words! Newspapers are written for a twelve-year-old's reading level, in order to accommodate readers of all backgrounds and abilities. Big, fancy wording is fine for academic writing or novels, but in newspapers, big, fancy words only confuse readers. Newspapers are inclusive and aim at the widest possible readership. They aim to make money!
10. Write for the layman. If a newspaper article discusses things that are not considered to be common knowledge, background information must be provided. When in doubt, spell it out for people.
11. Provide background information. When writing about the latest in a series of events, do not assume precursory knowledge. eg the Bain case. Assume the reader is picking up the newspaper for the very first time, with no prior knowledge about a situation.
12. Always present both sides of an argument, even if it's just in passing. It's vital that the opposite point of view is represented, or readers may mistakenly believe the primary view that's discussed is the only view.
13. When using quotations, be sure to capture the speaker's or writer's intention. Get the speaker to say something important, profound, worthwhile, and which supports the main idea of the article. Do not misrepresent a point of view by using quotations out of context or in a manner that the speaker did not intend.