Four Steps to Good Writing Journalism Four Steps to Good Writing

I. Research Research as much information as you can about your story Take notes when you interview. Write down quotes! Observation Check all information and sources to be sure of accuracy Interview necessary people - anyone who might possibly be involved Take necessary photographs

II. Writing - Objectives Learn the basics of writing for the newspaper Understand journalistic terms and vocabulary Understand the structure of news articles Produce and publish written work, using appropriate technology Write news articles, editorials, ads, and special interest stories Develop peer editing and proof reading skills

II. Writing - Formula Choose an article topic Determine the purpose of your article Research the article Write an outline Write the article Use Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft Word - go to format - columns - three Edit the article – proofread it, do a spell check

II. Writing - Paragraphs First Paragraph In your first one or two sentences tell who, what, when, where, and why.   Body Paragraphs Give the reader the details. Include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it, they). Be objective -- never state your opinion. Use quotes to express others' opinions! Last Paragraph Wrap it up somehow (don't leave the reader hanging. Please don't say...."In conclusion" or "To finish..." Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase. Use active words (verbs that show what's really happening.) Tell the really interesting info first!

III. Editing Make sure you have included who – what – when – where – why – how. Don’t editorialize. That means, don’t put in what you think or believe. For example, don’t write: “Science is the most useful subject you can take in school.” That’s your opinion and other people might disagree with you. And, besides, how can you prove it? Write clearly, using simple words. Imagine that you are telling the story to your friend. Check the spelling of all words, especially people’s names. Make sure your quotes are accurate and in the proper form, like this: “I enjoy being a safety patrol,” Carol said. Remember: the comma goes inside the quote mark. Numbers. Spell out numbers 1 to 9, and use figures for 10 and above. For example, “We have two cars and 12 children.” Spell out a number at the beginning of a sentence. Wrong: “120 children are in the fourth grade.” Right: “One hundred and twenty children are in the fourth grade.” Or, “There are 120 children in the fourth grade.” It is OK to start a sentence with the number of a year: “2000 has been an exciting year.”

IV. Producing Prioritize the articles Put most important articles on or near front page Next come the “feature” articles, such as: Stories on a teacher, classmate, or event at the school (concert) Articles about topics outside of school (hobbies, etc.) Sports and entertainment stories. Group similar subjects together on a page: Science articles on animals, the planets, the sun, etc. Articles on academic subjects Feature stories on teachers, a principal or other school personnel Reviews of Harry Potter books and a biography on author J. K. Rowling. Do you have a picture or graphic to go with the article? Always put the picture with the story. How long are your articles? If your main story is long and has a photo to go with it, it could take up most of the front page. So, to make room for other stories start your main story on the front page to draw the reader’s attention, then continue — or “jump” — it to an inside page.