How to Write News

THE LANGUAGE OF

PRINT

Source:

Journalism in the Digital Age:Theory and Practice for Broadcast, Print and Online Media

by John Herbert

Me?

Camille Diolawriter, layout artist, web consultant

I took up Journalism at the University of the Philippines.My blog is All Amateur Advice.com

WRITING

STYLE

Remember: This4th grader isyour reader.

Keep it simple.ONE

Keep it short.TWO

near not adjacentnow not at this moment, or at the present time

during not in course ofbefore not prior to

because not in consequence offrom not as from

watched not observedalthough not despite the fact that

Keep it sweet.THREE

The boy told the truth.versusThe truth was told by the boy.

The Senate passed the bill.versusThe bill was passed.

Water scientists will test for parts per million to see if the lead content exceeds government standards.versusThe water will be tested to see if it contains too much lead.

Keep it sweet.THREE

THE ALL-IMPORTANT

LEAD

Hard or soft?TYPES

A national icon is not just larger than life, but larger than 10 basketball courts.

The massive mosaic of the late Corazon Aquino was unveiled by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Saturday in celebration of anniversary of his mother’s death.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Saturday unveiled a massive photo mosaic of his mother, the late president Corazon Aquino, in a tribute just before the first anniversary of her death.

Hard or soft?TYPES

Invest in your nut grafFOUR

WHO WHAT WHEN

WHERE WHYHOW

Invest in your nut grafFOUR

After several cancelled flights due to labor disputes, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday announced that its operations are "back to normal."

INVERTEDPYRAMID

It’s not just an old trick.

INVERTEDPYRAMID

It’s naturalstorytelling.

sample structures

Lead/nut graf summary of story, latest detailsSecond section sourceThird section backgroundFourth section return to source from intro

sample structures

1 lead with highlight of event2 educated quote from guest speaker3 background, dramatic content4 description/analysis/comment/reaction

USING

QUOTES

Quote what has worth.

“Our objective is for the management and the pilots to meet and find a resolution that is satisfactory to them both,” the transportation secretary said.

direct

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierdasaid Malacañang was not considering a takeover.

indirect