Writing Effective Newspaper Articles Formula for Success Copyright © 2012 Gareth Manning

Inverted Pyramid Structure Most Newsworthy Info 5Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How Important Information ( in descending order of importance ) Supportive or Background Info Remember: most news readers skim quickly! Most important info must be at the start!

A typical newspaper article contains six parts:  Headline: catches reader’s attention  Byline: tells who wrote the story, as well as the date.  Lead paragraph: Contains ALL of the who, what, when, where, why and how in it.  Example: Yesterday, the Owen County Lady Rebels fell at home to the Walton-Verona Bearcats 55-36, unable to stop the Bearcats’ three point shooting.  Explanation paragraphs: Important facts and quotes not included in lead paragraph, written in order of importance (most to least).  Additional Information: Least important information, perhaps about a similar or related event.  Concluding Paragraph: Catchy, memorable ending.

Also… Paragraphs must be short and concise. Written in the third person. Be unbiased—just a report on the facts.

On-Demand Prompt The date is July 6, 1852, the day after Frederick Douglas has given his speech of the meaning of July Fourth for Negroes. You covered the speech for the New York Times. Write an article for all of the United States to read about what took place when Douglass gave his speech.

Douglass Article Who: Frederick Douglass What: delivered a attack on the hypocrisy of the United States celebrating its freedom and independence with while within its borders, nearly four million humans were being kept as slaves When: July, 5 th, 1852 Where: Rochester's Corinthian Hall, (Rochester, New York) Why: Commemorate the 4th of July How: Speech