WRITING STRAIGHT NEWS

Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity

 Thoughts to ponder upon…
Always think of the reader. Numerous
studies of the readership of the most
respected newspapers in the world have
established that news stories must be
written in a style intelligible to 12-year-old
students.

Short words, short sentences, active voice.

 Nature of Straight News
• Also known as hard news
• Plain n,arration of facts as it happened
• No explicit opinion, analysis nor
interpretation
• Written for those who want to know what’s
happening at the flick of a finger
• Capsulized account of the event which can
be gleaned from the first 2 or 3 paragraphs
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
NEWS
• The only data needed are who, what,
when, where, why, and how of an event.
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
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• WHO – include all main people related to
or involved in the story. You must get their
first and last names, even middle initials, if
possible, and see to it that you spell these
correctly.
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
NEWS
• WHAT – this is the heart of the story, the
event or action that makes the story news.
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
NEWS
• WHEN and WHERE – time and place or
site of the story. These two gain
prominence when you are writing of
coming events.
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
NEWS
• WHY – explains the reason behind a
certain event or information.
- the news behind the news
- you can get this information by asking
more questions
- go to the source who is most
knowledgeable of the story and whom you
can trust.
GATHERING DTA FOR STRAIGHT
NEWS
• HOW – details on the process or the way
the event unfolded
- this often spells the difference
between a dull space filler and a colorful
story.
- it includes the lively details that make
a story stand out.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• Contributed materials – refer to news
items or data sent in by correspondents or
reporters or by any member of the
community.
• News diary – kept by the editor or reporter
to see what activities in the community
may be interesting to cover, such as
inauguration of a new schoolbuilding,
public meeting, etc.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• Regular visits to contacts or informants
who, because of the nature of their job or
occupation or involvement in the
community, know the hard facts of events
• Follow-ups and Tips
• Other Media - there may be stories in the
large newspapers or over radio that jave
direct bearing on the community
WRITING STRAIGHT NEWS

W HAT is the story all about L

in a nutshell E
Key Point for intro in outline
H OW did it happen? A
What happens next? D Other main points in outline
A MPLIFICATION. Tell the story again,
amplifying the points made in the
intro.
T IE up any loose ends, Give Detailed info on outline points
additional info. and
Supporting Info

Background info is
placed according to
its importance in the
story
Remember that writing does not begin with
words but with visual images from which
spring ideas. Words are just expression of
ideas.
PARTS OF THE STRAIGHT NEWS
STORY
1. LEAD – contains the most important detail in
the story.
- it must be able to attract attention to
allow readers to read through the whole story.
- consists only of 25 to 30 words
- conventionally, it is the summary of
the story, the 5 Ws and 1H. However, it will
exceed the ideal word limit. Thus, it is your
task to select from among the the 5Ws and 1H.
PARTS OF THE STRAIGHT NEWS
STORY
2. LEAD SUPPORT– the next paragraph
(paragraph = 1 to 3 short sentences)
- complements the facts in the
lead.
PARTS OF THE STRAIGHT NEWS
STORY
3. DETAILS
4. BACKGROUNDING