WRITING THE BODY OF THE STORY

CHAPTER

BASIC PATTERNS3 BASIC STRUCTURES

and

SUMMARY DEVELOPMENT

Of all features (in their order of importance)

SUMMARYStructure

1 23

1

2

3

MINOR DETAILS

SALIENT FEATURE DEVELOPMENT

One outstanding features pushes several features out of the lead into the next paragraph, which is summary.

1

23

DETAILS

SALIENT FEATURES STRUCTURE

COMBINATION DEVELOPMENT

The lead summarizes two features and then summarizes

the next paragraph.

INTERPRETATION OR CRUCIBLE LEAD

SEPARATE STORIES

Scattered or in sequence, probably under a large head, each with a dateline and a

minor head

TABULATION

Follow by summary lead-commonly used in contest.

COMBINATION1 2

35

DETAILS

QUALITIES OF NEWS

…

a) Factual accuracy – correctness of statements, names, dates,

figures, quotations, etc.

Accuracy

b) Correctness of general impression – the arrangement

of details and the points of emphasis; absence of

distortion, such as quoting out of context, presentation of the correct point of view and true

atmosphere.

Balancea) Proper emphasis on each fact

in relation to other facts.b) Completeness – inclusion of

relevant features. Incompleteness is a kind of

inaccuracy

Objectivitythe writers opinions and feelings should be kept out of the story.

Only in the by-line story is a reporter allowed a limited amount

of comment.

a) Factual reporting

b) Impartiality – giving attention to both sides in a controversial

issue.

Concisenessnews is meant for the

reader who is in a hurryshort and clearly stated

Claritythe reader seldom

can afford to backtrack in

going over the news.

Freshness of information

not necessarily newness of happening.

EVALUATION

POINTERS IN WRITING THE NEWS STORY

1. Write the story as soon as you have gathered the facts.

2. Play up a dominant point.

3. Be accurate.

4. Avoid editorializing( direct statement of opinion by the

reporter) editorializing is permissible only in special columns, editorials by-line

articles, sports story.

5. Mention authority or source of news in order to strengthen

the readers confidence in the accuracy of the story and to protect the paper from the

libel suits. Citing authority is necessary when:

a) it concerns opinion rather than facts

b) it is about a controversial issue

c) it announces a new regulation

6. Presents facts without bias.7. Names should be given in full

when first mentioned. Thereafter, use Mr. or

surname for men, Ms. Or Mrs. For women or any special

title.

8. Identify names mentioned. Where several identifications are possible, use the one relevant to

the facts of the story.9. 9. Avoid “coloring” by the use of

words which have a tendency to prejudice the reader.

10.Write one-idea, mostly one-sentenced paragraph.

11.Begin every paragraph with a significant, interesting fact.

12.Avoid a series of every short paragraphs. Average length is

35 words per paragraph, or rarely more than 2 column

inches.

13.Write mostly short sentences. Vary the length of the sentences, but

keep them simple and clear.14.Place direct and indirect quotations

in separate paragraphs.15.Reader interest determines the

length of the story.

16.Avoid padding. Eliminate superfluous words, such as circuitous verb forms, well

known place names, connectives that are

understood such as “THAT”.

17.Use simple specific words, adjectives and adverbs should give way to verbs and nouns.

Avoid uncommon words, superlatives and trite

expressions.

18. Write a good lead.

a) Do not cram the 5 “W’s” in the opening sentence, if the result is drawn out and unreadable.

b) Avoid beginning a lead with figures, with articles “a, an, the,” or with the expletives “there, it”. however, if the

sentence will sound choppy, it is best to keep the article.

19.Prefer the active to the passive voice, except when

the object of the verb is more important than the doer.

20.Use the papers style sheet.

21.Give all facts needed to understand the story. Anticipate the readers

questions and answer them in order of urgency.

DIRECTIONS IN PREPARING A COPY

1. Type story on standard-size copy paper, double or triple space with two inch margins

on both sides.

2. In upper left-hand corner of first page, write a 1 word or 2 words slug

(also called guide-line) indicating subject of the story. Below this,

single space, write your name and the date. Succeeding pages should

have the page number.

3. Write word “more” at the bottom of each sheet except the last. Indicate the end of your story with double cross

(xx).

4. The last paragraph on each sheet should be complete. Do not run part of paragraph over

to a succeeding page.

5. In making corrections follow the copy desk style. Do not insert

corrections vertically, or too far away from part of corrected word

or phrase. Type out all insert materials on a separate sheet,

mark it as an “insert” and indicate where insertion should be made.

6. Copy with too many corrections should be re-typed

and read over for fresh corrections.