News Writing
-
Upload
mark-haviland -
Category
Career
-
view
1.908 -
download
5
description
Transcript of News Writing
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Air Combat Command Public Affairs
1
Presented by:
MSgt Mark Haviland
Manager, Operations
Basic News WritingPart 1
2I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Overview
Open discussion Defining News Elements of news Inverted pyramid Anatomy of a news article Writing a lede Writing a bridge Body Conclusion Summary
3I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
What is news?
“News is the first rough draft of history.”
— Philip Graham, Washington Post publisher
“News is anything thatmakes a reader say“Gee whiz.”
— William Randolph HearstAmerican newspaper tycoon
“News is anything thatwill make people talk.”
— Charles DanaNew York Sun editor
“News is anything youcan find out today thatyou didn’t know before.”
— Turner CatledgeNew York Times editor
4I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
What is news?1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life1 ordinary man + 1 extraordinary adventure1 ordinary husband + 1 ordinary wife1 husband + 3 wives1 bank cashier + 1 wife + 7 children1 bank cashier — $100,0001 chorus girl + 1 bank president — $100,0001 man + 1 auto + 1 gun + 1 six-pack1 man + 1 wife + 1 fight + 1 lawsuit1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 79 years1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 100 years
5I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
ImpactDoes the story matter
to readers? Will it have
an effect on their lives,
careers or bank
account? Don't
overlook the "me
factor" your audience
craves.
6I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
TimelinessHas this story just
happened? Is it about
to happen? Timeliness
is crucial. News stories
should generally be no
more than a week old.
7I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
ProminenceNews stories about
prominent people
generate more interest
than those about
ordinary people.
Readers are especially
interested in what
leaders have to say
about important issues
and events.
8I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
ProximityThis element can be
physical – stories
here at Langley – or
psychological. On
one hand, the Air Force
community is local and
on the other hand, it's
global.
9I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
NoveltyDeviations from the
normal – unexpected or
unusual events, drama
or change – are more
newsworthy than the
commonplace.
10I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
ConflictConflict is another
common thread in
news stories:
Overcoming hardships,
Balancing career and
family. War.
11I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Elements of News
EmotionDoes this story make
us sad? Happy?
Angry? Readers
respond emotionally
to human-interest
stories that are
poignant, comical or
inspiring.
12I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Inverted Pyramid
13I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Anatomy of a news article
1st Paragraph Combined with the headline, the lead/lede is designed to capture
readers by presenting the Who, What, Where and When elements of the story first
2nd Paragraph Known as the "bridge," this graph provides the How and or Why of
the story. Sometimes, writers use direct attribution (a quote) from one of the article's important characters here.
Middle paragraphs Are used to introduce and explain important (but secondary)
details of the story. Other sources of attribution (experts, people directy affected, witnesses) are introduced here directly or indirectly.
Closing paragraphs Are used to provide general background and historical information.
14I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Anatomy of a news article
Attribution Direct: “Home schooling is a Petri dish for the blossoming
antisocial personality,” said Master Sgt. Mark Haviland. Indirect: Home schooling children can lead to antisocial adults,
according to Master Sgt. Mark Haviland. Use direct attribution for impact, not the mundane …
Full ID Full ID includes a person's rank, first name, last name, unit of
assignment and specialty or duty title. First reference
The first time a person, unit, office, or other object is mentioned, it must be identified fully and without abbreviations
15I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Critical element – “the hook” Focus on most important
element Who What Where When
20-30 words max
Writing a lede
16I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
17I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
Usually, no prominent actors, or the action is taken by a body of people. For example, “Air Force officials,” “Members of the Air Force Uniform Board,” etc.
18I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
Used when the person’s name is known to a majority of the audience.
19I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
Used when the primary actor has little or no prominence with the audience and when inclusion of a title would make the lede bulky.
20I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
Used when story has two or more elements of equal importance. Accidents, major infrastructure changes, etc.
21I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Summary Immediate identification Delayed identification Multiple element Feature or freak leads
Writing a lede
More on these when we cover features …
22I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Examples of a ledes
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO withthe 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Starwith Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for hisactions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan.
WASHINGTON - Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfelddefended himself and took no personal responsibility Wednesday forthe military's bungled response to Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendlyfire death in Afghanistan.
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Langley Airmen - active duty,Reserve and Guard - can now obtain a bachelor's degree through AirUniversity's Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program.
23I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Exercise
From the following facts, write a lede:
Who: a nuclear weapon with a yield equivalent to 150,000 tons ofTNT
What: detonated
Where: 40 miles south of Langley Air Force Base
When: Today
Why: it was accidentally released from an Air Force B-52 on a training Mission
Other information: Members of the 1st Fighter Wing disaster control group are responding to the scene
24I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Writing a bridge
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO withthe 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Starwith Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for hisactions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan.
So, you’ve written your lede. What comes next?
25I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
One sentence 25-35 words element Usually why and or how Used to introduce actor(s)
Direct or indirect attribution Transitions to body
Writing a bridge
26I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Writing a bridge
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO withthe 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Starwith Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for hisactions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan.
Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a threeperson security forces convoy team called upon to assist about 15members of the Afghan national police and 20 members of the Afghan national army when they came under attack from Taliban forces on a highway checkpoint in Afghanistan's Qalat Province.
Effective? Let’s edit …
27I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Writing a bridge
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO withthe 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Starwith Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for hisactions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan.
Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a threeperson security forces convoy team called upon to assist about 15members of the Afghan national police and 20 members of the Afghan national army when they came under attack from Taliban forces on a highway checkpoint in Afghanistan's Qalat Province.
How would you write it?
28I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e
Questions so far?
SA
F/P
A
AR
CH
IVE
PO
LIC
E