NewsNews

WritingWriting

PrewritingPrewritingAny activity used to Any activity used to generate writing ideas.generate writing ideas.

Watching the NewsWatching the NewsBolder in CA blocks a road after a mud slide.

Roofer goes to Doctor with a tooth ache only to find out he has a nail in his head.

Search crew looks for missing person after avalanche.

Celebrity Lives are of interest to some.

Sports is always news.

Our country’s current events are of great interest.

Types of NewsTypes of News Natural Disasters/EmergencyNatural Disasters/Emergency Unusual or wackyUnusual or wacky Famous PeopleFamous People Sporting Events Sporting Events PoliticsPolitics Crime/SafetyCrime/Safety

InternetInternet

Another way of watching the news is the Internet. I provides an outlet for News Sources to feature, longer, unusual, or special interest stories because they are not confined by time.

BrainstormingBrainstormingEveryone contributes Everyone contributes ideas on a topic. ideas on a topic. The list is then The list is then categorized, prioritized categorized, prioritized and defended.and defended.

Brainstorming ExerciseBrainstorming Exercise Brainstorm ideas for news stories.Brainstorm ideas for news stories. Make a list of 3 ideas.Make a list of 3 ideas. Write the web address of the storyWrite the web address of the story For each idea answer For each idea answer

• Why it’s a good ideaWhy it’s a good idea• What pictures & or graphics can be What pictures & or graphics can be

found or made to go with itfound or made to go with it• Your ideas on how to shoot itYour ideas on how to shoot it

The 5 W’sThe 5 W’sWhen reporters start writing a news story, they When reporters start writing a news story, they look for the answer to Five simple questions – look for the answer to Five simple questions – known as “The Five W’s”. The answers to these known as “The Five W’s”. The answers to these questions are the basis for every story.questions are the basis for every story.

• Who?Who? – Who is involved? Who did what? To – Who is involved? Who did what? To who? Who is affected?who? Who is affected?

• What?What? – What happened? – What happened?• When?When? When did it happen? In what order did When did it happen? In what order did

events take place?events take place?• Where?Where? – Where did this happen? Did the – Where did this happen? Did the

location change?location change?• Why?Why? – Why did it happen? What caused it? – Why did it happen? What caused it?

““The 5 W’s”The 5 W’s” The reporter will often try to include The reporter will often try to include

all or most of the answers in the first all or most of the answers in the first line or paragraph of the news story. line or paragraph of the news story. That opening section is often called That opening section is often called “the lede” or “the lead”. “the lede” or “the lead”.

The opening lines give the viewers a The opening lines give the viewers a good idea of what happened as soon good idea of what happened as soon a the news story starts.a the news story starts.

2 Types of Leads2 Types of Leads Introductory – gives us an Introductory – gives us an

“appetizer” before the story, “appetizer” before the story, designed to perk our interestdesigned to perk our interest

Informational – summarizes the Informational – summarizes the entire story, designed to give us all entire story, designed to give us all the facts in one brief statementthe facts in one brief statement

The Inverted PyramidThe Inverted Pyramid

This is the style of writing used for television This is the style of writing used for television and radio reporting as well as, for newspapers and radio reporting as well as, for newspapers and magazines.and magazines.

The inverted pyramid means that stories The inverted pyramid means that stories should be written with the most important should be written with the most important information first and the least important last.information first and the least important last.

EXAMPLE: 150,000 people are confirmed EXAMPLE: 150,000 people are confirmed dead, thousands missing after Tsunami hits dead, thousands missing after Tsunami hits Asia.Asia.

Breakdown of the StoryBreakdown of the Story PART 1 – The BeginningPART 1 – The Beginning

• In your first one or two sentences tell In your first one or two sentences tell most important part of who, what, most important part of who, what, when, where, and why.when, where, and why.

• Try to hook the viewer by beginning Try to hook the viewer by beginning with a funny, clever, or surprising with a funny, clever, or surprising statement.statement.

• Go for variety: try beginning your Go for variety: try beginning your article with a question or a article with a question or a provocative statement.provocative statement.

Breakdown of the StoryBreakdown of the Story

Part 2 – The MiddlePart 2 – The Middle

• Give the viewer the details. Include Give the viewer the details. Include one or two quotes from people you one or two quotes from people you interviewed or will interview.interviewed or will interview.

• Write in the third person (he, Write in the third person (he, she, it, they)she, it, they)

• Be objective (never state your opinion Be objective (never state your opinion unless it is an opinion piece)unless it is an opinion piece)

• Use quotes to express others’ Use quotes to express others’ opinions!opinions!

Breakdown of the StoryBreakdown of the Story

Part 3 – The EndPart 3 – The End

• Wrap it up somehow (don’t leave the Wrap it up somehow (don’t leave the viewer hanging)viewer hanging)

• Please don’t say...”In conclusion” or “To Please don’t say...”In conclusion” or “To finish…” (yawn!)finish…” (yawn!)

• Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase.Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase.• Use active words (verbs that show what’s Use active words (verbs that show what’s

really happening.)really happening.)

ASSIGNMENTASSIGNMENT Using the information from the previous slides write a news Using the information from the previous slides write a news

story that would interest a Middle School audience. Make story that would interest a Middle School audience. Make sure your story has factual information and contains a sure your story has factual information and contains a beginning, middle, and end using the Inverted pyramid beginning, middle, and end using the Inverted pyramid format. You can search for ideas and information on the format. You can search for ideas and information on the internet but DO NOT plagiarize. internet but DO NOT plagiarize.

You are not allowed to work together on this assignment, You are not allowed to work together on this assignment, you must write this story ON YOUR OWN. you must write this story ON YOUR OWN.

Be prepared to read your story to the class when we return Be prepared to read your story to the class when we return from Spring Break and use it for an upcoming project.from Spring Break and use it for an upcoming project.