Newswriting Basics Lecture #1

Review The 7 News Values serve as a checklist The 7 News Values serve as a checklist –Impact –Timeliness –Prominence –Proximity –Bizarreness –Conflict –Currency

So which of these stories is most newsworthy? President Obama will be in town on Wednesday. For his first stop on his re-election campaign tour, he will speak with union representatives from the Timken Company and, following the meeting, will speak publically about the unemployment rate in the Midwest. President Obama will be in town on Wednesday. For his first stop on his re-election campaign tour, he will speak with union representatives from the Timken Company and, following the meeting, will speak publically about the unemployment rate in the Midwest. Board of Education member Jason Smith is running for re-election, promising that, if re- elected, he will layoff 30 teachers in the district. Board of Education member Jason Smith is running for re-election, promising that, if re- elected, he will layoff 30 teachers in the district.

Just the Facts Journalists must remain objective Journalists must remain objective –Avoid bias –Print only the facts Allow for the unspoken conclusion Allow for the unspoken conclusion –28% of Americans can name two freedoms granted by the First Amendment –52% of Americans can name two members of “The Simpsons” cartoon family

Opinions in Journalism The News Story—straightforward, factual, and unemotional The News Story—straightforward, factual, and unemotional Sports Stories—blends facts with interpretation Sports Stories—blends facts with interpretation Opinion Columns—truthful, but partisan; more commentary than news Opinion Columns—truthful, but partisan; more commentary than news Movie Reviews—no holds barred critique; critics are paid to share their opinions Movie Reviews—no holds barred critique; critics are paid to share their opinions No Opinions Strong Opinions

The 5 W’s The facts are divided into 5 categories: The facts are divided into 5 categories: –Who? –What? –Where? –When? –Why?  How? is normally covered here

The Inverted Pyramid This is the LEAD, which summarizes the story’s most important facts in one sentence. This paragraph adds more details or background information. This paragraph adds even more details. More details.

Advantages of the IP Condenses information efficiently Condenses information efficiently –Facts are revealed quicker  Plays to readers’ attention spans Allows effective “trimming” Allows effective “trimming” –Editors cut stories from the bottom up  Facts are the bottom are least essential

Writing Basic News Leads Collect all your facts Collect all your facts –Accuracy –Difficulty writing Sum it up and boil it down Sum it up and boil it down –10 seconds with a dying battery test Prioritize the 5 W’s Prioritize the 5 W’s –Leads should contain only the facts that are most important Rethink, Revise, Rewrite Rethink, Revise, Rewrite –Is it clear (easy to understand)? –Is it active (strong “subject-verb-object” structure)? –Is it wordy (eliminate unnecessary adjectives/phrases)? –Is it compelling (keep readers’ attentions)?

Writing Basic News Leads One sentence in length One sentence in length No more than 30 words long No more than 30 words long EX: Three passengers were injured Friday when lightning struck their private plane, plunging them into the river behind Akron- Canton Airport. EX: Three passengers were injured Friday when lightning struck their private plane, plunging them into the river behind Akron- Canton Airport.

You Try It What: He rescued a struggling woman from a deadly rip tide What: He rescued a struggling woman from a deadly rip tide When: Tuesday, August 23, 2001 When: Tuesday, August 23, 2001 Where: Myrtle Beach Where: Myrtle Beach Who: George Mason, age 54, of Tallahassee, FL Who: George Mason, age 54, of Tallahassee, FL Why/How: She would have drown without his help, so he hopped on his surfboard and pulled her to safety Why/How: She would have drown without his help, so he hopped on his surfboard and pulled her to safety