Journalism Writing

Basic Journalism Writing

History of Journalism

Writing LeadsWhat is a lead?

Where does a lead go?

How should a lead look?LeadsLead The first paragraph or first lines of a newspaper story that should get the readers attention.

What to remember about leads!- Leads should be less than 25 words and should not be longer than two sentences

- Write leads that will get the readers attention

- Leads should give readers a clue to what the story is aboutExamples of leadsKSL.com - A driver took his eyes off the road for a split second Tuesday afternoon and hit a pedestrian. It happened near 300 W and 400 N in Salt Lake City.

MSN.com - It's easy to understand why retirement doesn't loom large on the horizon for 20-somethings. Young workers are more concerned with kick starting careers, not ending them, in the long-distant future.

Examples of LeadsThe Round Table Reading paperback books might be a thing of the past thanks to Amazon Kindles that are invading classes here at Roy High School.

ESPN.com - Hours after arriving home from an important victory in New Orleans, the Houston Rockets awakened to news that forward Carl Landry had been shot overnight near his home.

Examples of LeadsDeseret News - Every year on St. Patrick's Day, we get a sneaky, surprise visit from a leprechaun.

Practice Writing a LeadRemember Leads are at the beginning of the article, get the readers attention, are no longer than 25 words, and clue the reader what the story is about.

SITUATION: On a piece of paper, write a solid lead that introduces the person sitting next to you.

How to Write a Journalism Story

How to Write a Journalism StoryOnce you have your lead, you need to always ask yourself and write six questions that go in every story.

1. Who 2. What 3. When 4. Where5. Why 6. How

The Inverted PyramidUsing who, what, when, where, why, and how in journalism is called the Inverted Pyramid. The Inverted Pyramid means placing the most important information at the top of the pyramid down to the least important.

Inverted PyramidWhat do you think.

What do you think should be the most important information that should go at the beginning of a news story?

Inverted Pyramid of a News StoryThis is how a journalism story should look using the Inverted Pyramid

How do you start a newspaper story? Follow these steps:1. Start by looking over your notes.

2. Write a good lead.

3. Next, towards the beginning of the story, write the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the story.

4. If you have more questions or information, insert them after you have the basic information.

Trying it Out!Situation: Let's pretend you're a brand new news reporter for your school newspaper and have been assigned to cover the school's talent show assembly. You have been assigned to write a news story about the event using the inverted pyramid structure. Here is the information you observed while attending the talent show:

The talent show took place during third period on September 19, 2014The talent show took place in the gymMany students sang, danced, and performed other interesting talents.The winner of the talent show received an $25 I-tunes gift card14 students competed in the talent show All grades were able to participateMost of the teachers were in attendanceThe cheerleaders and band also performed in the programMost of the students who performed seemed like they were doing it just for funSome of the students parents showed up to watchOne girl did a series of magic tricksOne boy sang a song with a teacher

What is the who, what, when, where, why, and how?Who- 9th gradersWhat- Performing in talent showWhen- September 19, 2014Where- The gymWhy- For fun, to win an I-tunes gift card

Another ExampleSituation:

A smoker who fell asleep in bed ignited a fire that caused minor damage to his home on W. Haven Street Tuesday, Fire Chief Bill Malone said. It was the city's eighth fire caused by smokers, twice as many as occurred all last year.The owner of the home, Henry Smith, 29, of 1705 W. Haven Street., said he fell asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette. When he awoke about 30 minutes later, smoke had filled the room. The fire department, which received the call at 10:55 p.m., had the fire out by 11:30. Malone said the estimated damage was at $2,500, and was confined to the bedroom. The house was insured.No charges will be filed against Smith because no one other then the smoker was endangered, Malone said.

What is the who, what, when, where, why, and how?Who- Henry SmithWhat- Fire in a homeWhen 10:55 Tuesday nightWhere 1705 W. Haven StreetWhy The owner fell asleepHow The cigarette fell onto his bedSo What Cost 2,500 What's next- No charges will be filed

Using Quotations

Using Quotes in StoriesEvery good newspaper story needs quotes!

Use direct quotes whenSomeone says something unique

Someone says something uniquely

Someone important says something important

Quotes can go anywhere after the lead.

Crisp and meaningful quotes spice up any story. You need direct quotes the exact words that a source says or writes in your stories.

Someone Important says something importantIf citizen Joe says, Something must be done about this teachers' strike, you may or may not consider it worth quoting. But if the mayor says, Something must be done about this teachers' strike, many papers would print the quote.

Quoting sources that readers are likely to know lends authority, credibility and interest to your story.

Other important facts about writing a news storyLeave your opinion out! Dont be bias!

Never use first person pronouns! (I, we, me, us, ect).

Use and interview at least 3 sources!

Just write the facts!

Lets Practice Writing a News Story!Now, apply the things weve talked about and write a short, one page (on notebook paper) news story about someone in the class.

Talk to each other and then write about a funny or embarrassing experience.

Write a solid lead along with the 5ws (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

Throughout your story use at least 3 direct quotes that come from your neighbor.