Writing and News story

-You can have somthing that's significant but no longer timely or vice versa.

-Hard news story is around 600 words and is a chronicle of current events. Starts with a summary lead, 5 W's, where what when who why. Current events, what just happened yesterday.

-Soft News. Not time sensative (profiles of people, human interest stories, Brett Favre, ect.)

-Feature story. Two times as long, somthing that really explores an issue to make sure the readers have all the information and can see the stances both sides take on the issue. Informs people. Not time sensitive.

-Editorial. Opinion article intended to try and persuade the readers to your point of view. Hot topics. Usually based off of an event that is either on going or happening right now (I.E. health care, war in Afghanistan, ect.). Not time sensative.

Structure of Article:-
-Summary lead that gives all the pertinent facts in the first paragraph or two. (5 W's)

-Body of the article that goes into more detail then the summary lead. Data, interviews, research, opinion of the witnesses, narrative, ect. NO OPINION OF JOURNALIST ALLOWED!!! (for hard news story). 5 senses. Get the reader to feel like they're there (Pictures, visuals, video, sound, ect.).

-My Story

-Finding a topic is the hardest part. Find somthing that impacts/interests you and that interests you. Make it timely and somthing that others around you would also care about.

-Read everything you can get your hands on about your topic so you can become an expert on said topic and speak with authority.

-Next step is news gathering. Contact people, read up on other stories, cover both sides of the story, get stats, ect.

-Be polite. Start with easy questions and end with more difficult ones.

-Organize your information, write it up, edit it, and send it to press.


What to do when writing a story:

1) Find a topic
2) Find an angle
3) Collect data/information
4) Gather interviews
5) Write the story
6) Edit and proofread

See inverted pyramid