What is news?
It can be hard news (crime,politics or natural disasters) or
soft news (entertainment and animal stories.)
News is about people doing things e.g. a motorway accident.
Availability
There needs to be someone to interview or something to video or take pictures of.
Quotes are the life of a story.
Do people care about the story?
Is the story relevant to the papers audience? The Star thinks that Big Brother is good news for its readers whereas The Guardian ignores it.
Is the story current affairs? (bird flu, latest scores and road rage?)
Practical reasons
Is there space for the story?
Has the story been covered recently? hint: 3 year old stories can be republished by taking the idea if they are still relevant.
Stories should always be 100% TRUE. Facts must be checked and beyond doubts.
The story must have BALANCE by addressing opposing views.
News pyramid- how to write an article
TOP LINE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
AND SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN 20-25 WORDS!
It should include the latest and most interesting information.
It should try to cover WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN?
Par 2- elaboration of other information or quotes.
Par 3- chronology, more detail WHY?
Par 4- more detail, loose ends.
Key elements in a good news story
Its all about people- make this your top line.
DONT be passive, have an angle (for your audience, demographics)
DO NOT start the news story with a question- the audience want to be informed,
not to take part in a quiz.
Be objective- don't describe the news as good or bad just tell the story.
Use facts and avoid words like shocking or horrendous- let the audience decide on opinion.
NO OPINION
Quote people this is colour
Writing sentences
One idea per sentence.
Short sentences (pars) 20-25 words long.
Active not passive verbs- news is about doing things.
Get rid of every word that is not essential.
In news avoid a drop intro (delayed as doesn't tell you the details straight away.)
:) if you follow this, your article should turn out perfect!
1 comments:
Nicely posted
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