Newswriting Basics #1 - Slideshare
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The document provides definitions and guidelines for key concepts in journalism. It defines journalism, objectivity, and writing. It distinguishes between facts and opinions, noting that opinions should be left out of news stories. The inverted pyramid structure is introduced as the standard for organizing facts in a story from most to least important. Guidelines are given for writing leads, attributing information, and avoiding unnecessary words or jargon in stories. Associated Press style is identified as the industry standard for formatting elements like numbers, titles, capitalization and more.
Newswriting Basics #1 - Slideshare
- 1. Newswriting Basics Chapter 4 – Inside Reporting by Tim Harrower
- 4. Defining “Journalism” 1. a : the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media b : the public press c : an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium 2. a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation Merriam-Webster.com
- 5. Defining “Objectivity” 3 • a : expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations <objective art> <an objective hi story of the war> <an objective judgment> Merriam-Webster.com
- 6. Defining “Write” 1 • a : to form (as characters or symbols) on a surface with an instrument (as a pen) b : to form (as words) by inscribing the characters or symbols of on a surface • a : to make significant characters or inscriptions; also : to permit or be adapted to writing b : to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences 2 • to compose, communicate by, or send a letter 3 • a : to produce a written work • b : to compose music Merriam-Webster.com
- 7. Fact v. Opinion • Facts Are: • Opinions Are: – Verifiable – Fleeting – Attributable – Moldable – Objective – Subjective Why should opinions be left out of news stories? *Let the facts speak for themselves. How do opinions in news stories impact a reporter’s credibility? *Readers can recognize bias and may not trust the publication in the future. Opinions belong on what page of an newspaper? *The Op-Ed (Opinion-Editorial) page!
- 8. Fact v. Opinion No Opinion------------------------------------------------------------------------Strong Opinion News Sports Movie Story Story Reviews News Opinion Analysis Columns Story p. 134, Harrower, Inside Reporting
- 9. Meet the Five W’s: You Typically Find Facts Here… Who Why What Where When
- 10. The Inverted Pyramid Most Important Facts Details or Background More Details More Details More Details
- 11. Be accurate. The Lead Remember what day it is. Don’t put unfamiliar names in the lead. Use strong verbs. Ask, “why should I care?” Sell the story. Don’t get hung up. Put attributions first. Checklist p. 45, Harrower
- 12. Please Delete! Five „ Passive verbs things „ Redundancy and repetition to avoid „ Long, wordy sentences „ Jargon and “officialese” in your „ Clichés stories: Harrower p. 53
- 13. Associated Press Style – An Industry Standard Numbers Titles Capitalization Abbreviations Addresses Parentheses Possessives Prefixes