JOURNALISM

WRITING

Elements of Writing1. Brevity- means short, brief is the soul of the wit. It is also the soul of good writing. When you write and rewrite, dont think about what you can put in. Think about what you can leave out. When we write, whether a short paragraph, a journal, or a poem, we must always remember that our aim is to express what we want to say and what we want to impart or share with our readers which will easily be understood by them. So, brevity is very important in writing.

2. Clarity -means clear To be clear is to say what you mean. To be precise is to say exactly what you mean. Precision is also related to brevity. Try to make your writing more precise without making it wordier. So instead of saying ,They won by a large margin or difference, just say They won by fifteen points. Or if youve written ,Various festivals in Isabela are being celebrated yearly change it to Balatong, Bambanti and Palay festivals are being celebrated yearly in Isabela. See the difference?

Principles of Writing Unity- A good paragraph can achieve unity by the use of a topic sentence where all supporting sentences revolve around it. Also, the presence of all relevant ideas to develop the topic sentence can add to a unified effect. Coherence - Is achieved by the writers arranging the sentences in a paragraph in a proper order ( chronological order, ascending or descending order and mixed order.)The writer is careful about reference of pronouns, synonyms and connecting words or transitional words. All these when observed will effect clearness in meaning for the reader. Emphasis - It is the giving of special stress or accent to the most important word, sentence or paragraph. It is necessary to call attention or to give importance to anything in any written material. What to write? Narrative-writing to narrate a happening, an event usually by following a chronological order. Descriptive-describing an experience, a happening or simply an object by using descriptive words such as modifiers single- word, phrases or clauses. Argumentative-this is presenting ones stand on a given issue or problem. It is done by presenting evidences to support ones point of view then giving the last statement usually a catchy or a strong statement. Informative- is done by writing about a piece of information. Its aim is to inform the readers on what to know, what to do and how to do a certain task, activity, event, phenomenon or just a simple happening. For example the Dengue or Chikunggunya. What are the causes and effects to the human body? What are the possible ways to prevent one from being infected?Definitions:JOURNAL comes from the Latin word DIURNA (daily).acta diurna = daily events WEBSTER the occupation of writing for publication in newspapers and other periodicals. FRASER F. BOND something that embraces all forms in which or through which the news and comments on the news reach the public.

Scope:1. Written (periodicals, brochures, journals, books and graphic arts)2. Oral (radio)3. Visual (television, movies and documentaries)Radio and television broadcast mediaMovies and documentaries film media

Functions of Campus Paper:1. Information Function- It informs the readers of events that happened, that are happening, or still happen. This is its news function. 2. Opinion Function Through the editorials and editorials column, the editor interprets the meaning of the news, especially of the banner news, and gives his opinion of important matters or of significant events of the day.3. Education Function one of the most important functions of a modern campus paper is to educate not only the students but also the people in the community. Sex education and family planning used to be taboo in classrooms are now topics of discussion by student writers in their school organs.4. Watchdog Function The school paper acts as the guardian of the students rights. It serves as the eyes of the readers.5. Laboratory Function It serves as the teaching tool for the budding journalists. After they have learned, for example, how to write straight news stories, they cover school activities and write the news for publication.6. Documentation Function Important school events and worthwhile student accomplishments and achievements are recorded in the school paper for posteritys sake. Most present-day histories have been researched from old files of newspapers. 7. Entertainment Function The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the reader company especially when he is alone. Most human stories are very interesting to read.8. Developmental Function in a developing country like the Philippines, scholastic, as well as commercial journalism has been given nobler significance. A write may be asked to write on the increasing agricultural productivity, land reform, expanded health, medical and their social welfare services, population education, rural electrification, nutrition education, and the promotion of a deeper culture consciousness among the people.

A. Aid to the students1. Provides an opportunity for interesting writing.2. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspaper.3. Acts as a stimulus to better work.4. Develops students power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of news articles.5. Serves as an outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.6. Offers training in organization, business methods, commercial art, salesmanship, bookkeeping, and business management.7. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility and leadership.

B. Aid to the school and community1. Informs the community on the work of the school.2. Publishes school news.3. Creates and expresses school opinion.4. Makes known the achievements of the school.5. Helps unify the school.6. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.7. Develops right standard of conduct.8. Provides an outlet for student suggestions for the betterment of the school.9. Develops better interschool relationship.10. Develops school spirit.11. Develops cooperation between parents and the school.

NEWS WRITING

NEWS - is a timely factual report of events, ideas or situations interesting or significant to the public. -it is an oral or written report of a past, present or future event. It should be factual, truthful, accurate, unbiased and interesting.

ELEMENTS OF NEWS1. Timeliness/Newness-emphasizes the newest angle of the story. The more recent the event, the more interesting it is to the reader.2. Proximity or Nearness-geographical nearness or of kinship or of interest3. Prominence-Some people are more prominent than others by reasons of wealth, social position or achievements.4. Oddity or Unusualness- refers to strange or unnatural events, objects, persons and places.5. Conflict-this may involve physical or mental conflict, man vs man, man vs animals, man vs man or himself6. Importance7. Names, numbers, animals, progress8. Love, adventure, drama, humor

TYPES OF NEWS STORIES- News stories may fall under any of the following types according to or :1. Scope or Origin -local, national and foreign2. Chronology or Sequence -Advanced or anticipated -Spot News or Breaking news -Coverage news -Follow-up news3. Structure- Straight News-based on facts and no opinion given. Its main aim is to inform. It uses the summary lead and is written using the inverted pyramid structure.- News feature-also based on facts but it entertains more than it informs. The writer may describe and narrate without giving partial opinion or editorializing. The Lead - The first paragraph in a news article or news story is called lead.

Kinds of Lead1. Summary Lead-answers right away all or any of the 5Ws and or the H.2. Novelty Lead-does not follow the summary lead. Best used in writing news features. They are written to get the attention of the readers or they carry out a definite purpose.

Test for the LEAD1. The lead should be simple, brief, compact, vigorous, attractive, and should shoot straight as a rifle bullet into the readers attention.2. It should be written in a manner appropriate to the subject matter.3. It should not carry opinion of the writer, unless it is signed.4. It should fix authority for information lest the reader question the storys authenticity.5. It should vary in style, the more varied the leads, the more interesting the newspaper is.

Steps in Writing the News Story1. List all your facts.2. Arrange your facts in a descending order, or from the most important to the least important.3. Write the lead making sure to play up the most interesting or important points. The less words you use in the lead, the more catching it will be.4. Write the next paragraph or paragraphs presenting the other highlights or answering the questions not yet answered.5. Add the other facts, keeping in mind their descending order of importance.

Tips in News writing1. Write the story right away.2. Play up the dominant points.3. Be accurate and truthful.4. Avoid editorializing and writing libelous materials.5. Give the sources of the news (attribution).6. Write names in full when these are mentioned for the first time.7. Identify the names mentioned.8. Watch out for errors of fact and in grammar.9. Observe the guidelines of clear and effective writing.

FEATURE WRITING Gene Gilmore in his book, Inside High School Journalism, states that the best way to describe a feature story is to say that it is a news story written like a piece of fiction. For like a short story writer, a feature writer, often use literary devices like color, wit, humor, dialogue, anecdote and emotive words to capture human interest. It may also instruct, inform and advise, but its main objective is to entertain.

Qualities of Feature Articles1. It deals with any topic.2. It usually entertains more often than it informs, instructs or advises.3. It may be long or short as long as it covers the subject adequately and keeps it interesting to the readers.4. It may be light or serious, depending on its purpose.5. It could be formal or informal and written in any form and in style, but well organized.6. It may or may not be timely.7. It begins with a novelty lead.8. It is written in ascending.9. It can be written in the first, second or third person.

Kinds of Feature Articles1. Human interest feature. A story that somehow involves people and their troubles, failures and successes. It may evolve in some minor happenings that deserve attention only because of some dramatic, humorous, tragic, odd, or sentimental angle that appeal to the emotion. The readers can relate to it as if, somehow, it happened to them, too.2. Personality feature. It offers a semi-biographical account of a newsworthy person. The information usually comes from interview with successful people or celebrity. Feature writers should prepare questions that will shed light on the individual life.3. Historical feature. It narrates the evolution of something like the name of a particular place, origin of a celebration and others.4. Analytical feature. It dissects problem, such as school vandalism or student cheating and describe how some people would try to solve the difficulty.5. Seasonal feature. It presents new angles in an old theme with some fresh insights of information.6. Travelogue. It describes a place and the kind of people the writer has met during his travel.7. Entertainment feature. A story with wit and humor and aims to entertain the readers not only of the unusual topic, but also in the style of writing and the kind of language used. It also includes crossword puzzle, maze, and others.8. News feature. It takes its material from a recent event. Unlike the news story, its focus is less in the information, but on the deeper meaning of the incident. It does not supplant the news, but add variety and contrast to play up the substance of the news.

B. The Body After you have finished writing the lead, you are now ready to organize your materials and develop the body of your story.

Development of the story is sometimes the most difficult of all, because it involves the arrangement of the story materials in a manner that will sustain or hold the readers interest and flow smoothly from the introduction to the end.

While hard news stories are written in inverted pyramid, formal feature story is in pyramid structure with conclusion.

C. The Ending

Types of Feature Endings Dr, Crispin C. Maslog, during his lecture in the National Training Program for School Paper Advisers at Teachers Camp, Baguio City, has given the following types of feature endings.

1. The Summary Ending. It simply ties up the loose end of the story with that of the lead. Example: With a contented sigh, the great man closed his eyes in death fully aware that he did what he had to do.

2. The Stinger. A startling, surprising ending that jolts the reader. The writer uses the body of the story to set up the readers for the unexpected conclusion. The stinger ending is similar to the modern movie trend where the good guy loses out to the bad guys.Example: Ramon, the shy, lovable Ramon, who couldnt hurt a fly turned out to be a ruthless, vicious rapist and wanted by law in five provinces.

3. Climax. It stops at the point where the outcome of the story is clear. Example:When the song ended, Rosanna Roces stood pertified in the midst of a thunderous ovation. In her heart, she knew she had finally arrived.

4. Un-ending. An open-ended conclusion, leaving the reader room to speculate on the ultimate ending.

Steps in Writing Feature Articles1. Choose topic which you know very well.2. Limit your subject to just one specific area.3. Use graphic description. Dont just tell, show it to the reader through the use of senses.4. Place direct quotation in the beginning.5. Use simple words and shorter paragraphs.6. Avoid being wordy.7. Tie up ending with the opening paragraph.8. Make a striking title.

Functions of Campus Paper:C. Aid to the students8. Provides an opportunity for interesting writing.9. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspaper.10. Acts as a stimulus to better work.11. Develops students power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of news articles.12. Serves as an outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.13. Offers training in organization, business methods, commercial art, salesmanship, bookkeeping, and business management.14. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility and leadership.

Modern campus paper9. Information Function- It informs the readers of events that happened, that are happening, or still happen. This is its news function. But information may also come from the features, editorials and other sections of the school paper.10. Opinion Function Through the editorials and editorials column, the editor interprets the meaning of the news, especially of the banner news, and gives his opinion of important matters or of significant events of the day.11. Education Function one of the most important functions of a modern campus paper is to educate not only the students but also the people in the community. Sex education and family planning which used to be taboo in classrooms are now topics of discussion by student writers in their school organs.12. Watchdog Function The school paper acts as the guardian of the students rights. It serves as the eyes of the readers.13. Laboratory Function It serves as the teaching tool for the budding journalists. After they have learned, for example, how to write straight news stories, they cover school activities and write the news for publication.14. Documentation Function Important school events and worthwhile student accomplishments and achievements are recorded in the school paper for posteritys sake. Most present-day histories have been researched from old files of newspapers. 15. Entertainment Function The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the reader company especially when he is alone. Most human interest stories are very interesting to read.16. Developmental Function in a developing country like the Philippines, scholastic, as well as commercial journalism has been given nobler significance. The young writer who used to spend more time reporting on club activities like elections and parties and writing lines to Delilah, has graduated into a development journalist. As such, he has included his community in his beat, and sometimes touches on topics of national significance. He has been encouraged to write on increasing agricultural productivity, land reform, expanded health, medical and their social welfare services, population education, rural electrification, nutrition education, and the promotion of a deeper culture consciousness among the people.

D. Aid to the school and community12. Informs the community on the work of the school.13. Publishes school news.14. Creates and expresses school opinion.15. Makes known the achievements of the school.16. Helps unify the school.17. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.18. Develops right standard of conduct.19. Provides an outlet for student suggestions for the betterment of the school.20. Develops better interschool relationship.21. Develops school spirit.22. Develops cooperation between parents and the school.

Sections or Parts of a Campus Paper:A. Front Page1. Local News news that takes place within the country2. Foreign News news that takes place outside the country3. Dateline News an out-of-town news story. It is introduced by a dateline which states the place from which the story was reported, the date, and the source of the material if not written by the local staff, as Tokyo, Japan, Jan 254. Weather News usually a boxed forecast of the area, sometimes includes the temperature, wind directions, and velocities. Extremes on weather are reported as more detailed news stories.5. Index a slug line indicating an important inside page story and the page where it is found.Other things found on the Front Page:A. Nameplate the engraved or printed name of the newspaper, as the Manila Times or PNU Torch.B. Ears The little boxes on either side of the nameplate.C. Banner The principal headline bearing the boldest and biggest type. It is the title of the most important news of the day which is called banner news. It may or may not run across the page. If it does, it may also be called a streamer.D. Running Head a headline made up of two or more lines.E. Headline The title of any news story. The word headline is used only for titles of news stories.F. Deck a subordinate headline placed immediately below its mother headline, also known as bank or readout.G. Lead The beginning of a news story. It may be a word, a group of words, a sentence, or even a paragraph.H. News Story The whole story of an event composed of the lead and the text which is the elaboration of the lead.I. Columns The horizontal division into parts of a newspaper. Many national papers are divided into eight columns while a typical school paper is divided into five columns of 12 em each.J. Column Rule The vertical line that divides the page into columns. Most pages of newspaper are divided into columns by a space usually one em wide. This space is called the sunken rule.K. Fold the imaginary horizontal line that divides the newspaper equally into two parts.L. Byline the signature of a reporter preceding a news-feature, as By Warren Cruz.M. Box News materials enclosed by line rules.N. Cut a metal plate bearing a newspapers illustration, also known as clich.O. Cutline The text accompanying photos and art work, better known as a caption. If written above the photo just like a slugline, it is called an overline.P. Kicker A tagline placed above but smaller than a headline, it is called a hammer.Q. Credit Line A line giving the source of the story or illustration, as reprinted from Manila Times, or Photo by MPI.

B. Editorial Page1. Folio Consists of the page number, date of publication, and name of the newspaper, usually written on top of the page. This is also found in the other pages.2. Masthead The editorial box containing the logo, names of the staff members and position in the staff, subscription rate, the publisher, and other pertinent data about newspaper. A logo (a shorten word for logotype) is a cut which contains an identifying word or words, such as the name of the newspaper or of a section.3. Editorial Proper A commentary written by any of the editors who comments or gives the opinion of the staff or of the whole paper on various subjects. It is the stand of the paper.4. Editorial Column A personal opinion written by the columnist himself. Like the editorial proper, it may attack, teach, entertain, or appeal depending upon its purpose.5. Editorial Cartoon Usually a caricature emphasizing a simple point. Usually humorous, it has the function of the editorial. It stands by itself and is not a complement of the editorial proper.6. Editorial Liner A short statement or quoted saying placed at the end of an editorial column or editorial to drive home a message.7. Letter to the editor A letter sent in by the reader giving his personal views on certain aspects.

C. Sports PageD. Special Features