News Writing Basics

Structure

Leads

Nutgraf

Adapted from “Newspaper Story Structure,” by Nanette Asimov,

San Francisco Chronicle

Structure: Inverted Pyramid

News Stories are like…

The good stuff is at the top.

Just like a story

Hard news stories are never told in chronological order

Exceptions

Soft news

Feature

Basic Structure

LeadSummary/more detailSexy quoteNutgrafSummary of what’s to comeQuoteTransition (repeat Q/T a few times)Real-time color, anecdotes, examplesThe past/ futureThe kicker/upward spin

LEADS

A Lead Should:

Tell readers what the story is about

Make them want to read the story

Create the proper mood for the story

Example

The Saddleback Valley school board voted unanimously last night to raise the hurdle for high school graduation by adding more mandatory math and science classes.

5 Ws

Who: school board

What: unanimous vote

Where: high school

When: last night

Why: To raise high school grad requirements

Soft News Leads

Anecdotal

Descriptive

Etc.

NUTGRAF

A Nutgraf Should:

Justify the story

Provide a transition

Explain why the story is timely

Include supporting material

Answer the ‘so what’

Be in graf 4 (generally)

Example

The school board’s action mirrors efforts around the country to raise academic standards. Embarrassed by American students’ poor performance on international achievement test in recent years, and pressured by colleges to produce better-prepared graduates, public educators nationwide are turning back to basics.

What’s the ‘so what’?

Nutgraf Basics

Support with evidence

Anticipate questions

Concrete reasons

Never give away the ending

People will eat it up…