Writing the body of the story
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Transcript of Writing the body of the story
WRITING THE BODY OF THE STORY
CHAPTER
BASIC PATTERNS3 BASIC STRUCTURES
and
SUMMARY DEVELOPMENT
Of all features (in their order of importance)
SUMMARYStructure
1 23
1
2
3
MINOR DETAILS
SALIENT FEATURE DEVELOPMENT
One outstanding features pushes several features out of the lead into the next paragraph, which is summary.
1
23
DETAILS
SALIENT FEATURES STRUCTURE
COMBINATION DEVELOPMENT
The lead summarizes two features and then summarizes
the next paragraph.
INTERPRETATION OR CRUCIBLE LEAD
SEPARATE STORIES
Scattered or in sequence, probably under a large head, each with a dateline and a
minor head
TABULATION
Follow by summary lead-commonly used in contest.
COMBINATION1 2
35
DETAILS
QUALITIES OF NEWS
…
a) Factual accuracy – correctness of statements, names, dates,
figures, quotations, etc.
Accuracy
b) Correctness of general impression – the arrangement
of details and the points of emphasis; absence of
distortion, such as quoting out of context, presentation of the correct point of view and true
atmosphere.
Balancea) Proper emphasis on each fact
in relation to other facts.b) Completeness – inclusion of
relevant features. Incompleteness is a kind of
inaccuracy
Objectivitythe writers opinions and feelings should be kept out of the story.
Only in the by-line story is a reporter allowed a limited amount
of comment.
a) Factual reporting
b) Impartiality – giving attention to both sides in a controversial
issue.
Concisenessnews is meant for the
reader who is in a hurryshort and clearly stated
Claritythe reader seldom
can afford to backtrack in
going over the news.
Freshness of information
not necessarily newness of happening.
EVALUATION
POINTERS IN WRITING THE NEWS STORY
1. Write the story as soon as you have gathered the facts.
2. Play up a dominant point.
3. Be accurate.
4. Avoid editorializing( direct statement of opinion by the
reporter) editorializing is permissible only in special columns, editorials by-line
articles, sports story.
5. Mention authority or source of news in order to strengthen
the readers confidence in the accuracy of the story and to protect the paper from the
libel suits. Citing authority is necessary when:
a) it concerns opinion rather than facts
b) it is about a controversial issue
c) it announces a new regulation
6. Presents facts without bias.7. Names should be given in full
when first mentioned. Thereafter, use Mr. or
surname for men, Ms. Or Mrs. For women or any special
title.
8. Identify names mentioned. Where several identifications are possible, use the one relevant to
the facts of the story.9. 9. Avoid “coloring” by the use of
words which have a tendency to prejudice the reader.
10.Write one-idea, mostly one-sentenced paragraph.
11.Begin every paragraph with a significant, interesting fact.
12.Avoid a series of every short paragraphs. Average length is
35 words per paragraph, or rarely more than 2 column
inches.
13.Write mostly short sentences. Vary the length of the sentences, but
keep them simple and clear.14.Place direct and indirect quotations
in separate paragraphs.15.Reader interest determines the
length of the story.
16.Avoid padding. Eliminate superfluous words, such as circuitous verb forms, well
known place names, connectives that are
understood such as “THAT”.
17.Use simple specific words, adjectives and adverbs should give way to verbs and nouns.
Avoid uncommon words, superlatives and trite
expressions.
18. Write a good lead.
a) Do not cram the 5 “W’s” in the opening sentence, if the result is drawn out and unreadable.
b) Avoid beginning a lead with figures, with articles “a, an, the,” or with the expletives “there, it”. however, if the
sentence will sound choppy, it is best to keep the article.
19.Prefer the active to the passive voice, except when
the object of the verb is more important than the doer.
20.Use the papers style sheet.
21.Give all facts needed to understand the story. Anticipate the readers
questions and answer them in order of urgency.
DIRECTIONS IN PREPARING A COPY
1. Type story on standard-size copy paper, double or triple space with two inch margins
on both sides.
2. In upper left-hand corner of first page, write a 1 word or 2 words slug
(also called guide-line) indicating subject of the story. Below this,
single space, write your name and the date. Succeeding pages should
have the page number.
3. Write word “more” at the bottom of each sheet except the last. Indicate the end of your story with double cross
(xx).
4. The last paragraph on each sheet should be complete. Do not run part of paragraph over
to a succeeding page.
5. In making corrections follow the copy desk style. Do not insert
corrections vertically, or too far away from part of corrected word
or phrase. Type out all insert materials on a separate sheet,
mark it as an “insert” and indicate where insertion should be made.
6. Copy with too many corrections should be re-typed
and read over for fresh corrections.