SPSPORORTSTS WRWRITIITINGNG

RHEE Fer HORTALEZARHEE Fer HORTALEZA EDITOR: EDITOR: Weekly GuardianWeekly Guardian

Northern BulletinNorthern Bulletin Sunday ChronicleSunday Chronicle Northern TimesNorthern Times

Pangasinan OnLine BalitaPangasinan OnLine Balita

COLUMNIST:COLUMNIST: Northern MirrorNorthern MirrorPeople’s DigestPeople’s Digest

BROADCASTER: BROADCASTER: Aksyon Radyo PangasinanAksyon Radyo Pangasinan

1010 QUALITIESQUALITIES

of a GOOD of a GOOD

SPORTS WRITERSPORTS WRITER

•MUST constantly bear in mind MUST constantly bear in mind that he writes for his readers that he writes for his readers and not for himself.and not for himself.

•MUST attend games as a MUST attend games as a reporter, not as a spectator or reporter, not as a spectator or cheerer.cheerer.

•MUST observe accuracy in his MUST observe accuracy in his articles or write-ups.articles or write-ups.

•MUST observe accuracy in his MUST observe accuracy in his articles or write-ups.articles or write-ups.

•MUST be fair and unbiased in MUST be fair and unbiased in reporting, even though he has reporting, even though he has a favorite team among the a favorite team among the competing groups.competing groups.

•MUST know sports well enough MUST know sports well enough – its rules, strategies, team – its rules, strategies, team and player records and the and player records and the like.like.

MUST know the coaches and MUST know the coaches and players as intimately as players as intimately as possible. possible.

MUST be able to take notes MUST be able to take notes quickly without losing the quickly without losing the sequence of the play.sequence of the play.

MUST use the specialized MUST use the specialized language of the particular language of the particular sports he is reporting.sports he is reporting.

•MUST avoid sports slang and trite MUST avoid sports slang and trite expressions; and should tell the expressions; and should tell the story in plain, factual terms that story in plain, factual terms that truly describe the action. truly describe the action.

•MUST not make comments MUST not make comments without supporting them with without supporting them with facts on which these are based.facts on which these are based.

• SPORTS SPORTS WRITINGWRITING

is, basically, is, basically,

news writingnews writing, , tootoo. .

• Observably all the elements found in Observably all the elements found in news writing – news writing – timeliness or immediacy, timeliness or immediacy, prominence, proximity or nearness, prominence, proximity or nearness, oddity, conflict, consequence, human oddity, conflict, consequence, human interest, drama, romance or sex, interest, drama, romance or sex, numbersnumbers and others – are also present in and others – are also present in sports writing. All the rules present in sports writing. All the rules present in news writing – especially those on news writing – especially those on accuracy, brevity and clarity -- virtually accuracy, brevity and clarity -- virtually apply to sports writing, too. apply to sports writing, too.

• The latter, however, The latter, however, has a has a greater freedomgreater freedom of of

STYLESTYLE..

• Moreover, the most defined element Moreover, the most defined element

in sports writing is in sports writing is conflictconflict as as sports connotes competition, contest, sports connotes competition, contest, dispute, struggle or battle for dispute, struggle or battle for supremacy by individuals or groups supremacy by individuals or groups of individuals. Definitely, conflict is of individuals. Definitely, conflict is present in sports competitions. present in sports competitions.

• Opposing forces generally fight for Opposing forces generally fight for the crown and exert all efforts and the crown and exert all efforts and strategies towards this much-sought strategies towards this much-sought triumph. triumph.

•ACTIONACTION, , therefore, is present in therefore, is present in sports and it is the duty of the sports sports and it is the duty of the sports writer to bring or picture this action to the writer to bring or picture this action to the readers who were unable to directly readers who were unable to directly watch the actual contest. The sports watch the actual contest. The sports writer who can expertly describe the writer who can expertly describe the sports action through words, phrases or sports action through words, phrases or sentences is one successful writer, sentences is one successful writer, indeed!indeed!

• Since action is foremost in sports, there is Since action is foremost in sports, there is consequently a need for the writer to be consequently a need for the writer to be adept at or knowledgeable about verbs adept at or knowledgeable about verbs and adjectives. Verbs are action words and adjectives. Verbs are action words and adjectives are words that can aptly and adjectives are words that can aptly describe the action in the event.describe the action in the event.

. .

• At present, there exists much leeway in At present, there exists much leeway in sports writing styles. sports writing styles.

Merely reading sports stories at Merely reading sports stories at present immediately proves that most present immediately proves that most sports stories are now gearing towards sports stories are now gearing towards NOVELTY LEADSNOVELTY LEADS..

Nevertheless, of course, sports Nevertheless, of course, sports writers writers have not totally forsaken have not totally forsaken the the summary lead. summary lead.

The leads nowadays The leads nowadays promptly describe the promptly describe the action through carefully action through carefully selected sentences that selected sentences that instantly deliver the reader instantly deliver the reader to the sports scene. to the sports scene.

The The SUMMARY LEADSUMMARY LEAD

THE LEAD ITSELFTHE LEAD ITSELF • When utilizing the summary lead (When utilizing the summary lead (Five Ws Five Ws

and One Hand One H), the writer must not fail to state ), the writer must not fail to state specifically who won the game and against specifically who won the game and against whom. whom.

• It is imperative to state the score or It is imperative to state the score or outcome. Where was the contest held? outcome. Where was the contest held? When? When?

• If the game was not completed due to If the game was not completed due to weather conditions or other incidents, say weather conditions or other incidents, say so; but tell the existing score when it was so; but tell the existing score when it was stopped.stopped.

THE BODY THE BODY OF THE STORY OF THE STORY

•If the lead is written in a thrilling If the lead is written in a thrilling vein, the body should be given the vein, the body should be given the same treatment. same treatment.

•Give the play-by-play account of Give the play-by-play account of the contest, taking note of the contest, taking note of decisive or interesting plays or decisive or interesting plays or any highlights that occurred any highlights that occurred therein. therein.

Give the best scores of the day Give the best scores of the day as as well as the team or well as the team or individual individual standings after the standings after the game, plus game, plus the game’s the game’s significance, if any. significance, if any. Statements that are quite Statements that are quite controversial or significant controversial or significant may likewise be included in may likewise be included in the body of the story. the body of the story. The weather condition may be The weather condition may be

mentioned, too, together mentioned, too, together with with the crowd’s reactions the crowd’s reactions and and subsequent post-game subsequent post-game

celebration scenes. celebration scenes.

•USE of SLANG LANGUAGEUSE of SLANG LANGUAGE

• DISCARD:DISCARD: … … a severe blow administered to the a severe blow administered to the face and another, with the left hand, to the region of the face and another, with the left hand, to the region of the stomach.stomach.

• PREFERRED PREFERRED :: … a hard uppercut to the jaw and a … a hard uppercut to the jaw and a left jab to the belt line.left jab to the belt line.

• DISCARD:DISCARD: The left-handed pitcher threw the ball The left-handed pitcher threw the ball so well that his opponents were unable to strike it.so well that his opponents were unable to strike it.

• PREFERREDPREFERRED:: The southpaw pitched airtight ball. The southpaw pitched airtight ball.

SPORTS SPORTS

NONOVELVELTYTY LEADSLEADS

• SAN DIEGO – The St. Louis Cardinals surrounded SAN DIEGO – The St. Louis Cardinals surrounded Reggie Sanders in the clubhouse and chanted Reggie Sanders in the clubhouse and chanted “MVP! MVP! MVP!”“MVP! MVP! MVP!”= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• A double black-eye.A double black-eye.With that, it’s understandable why Aterneo coach With that, it’s understandable why Aterneo coach Norman Black is feeling blue these days.Norman Black is feeling blue these days.= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• FARMINGTON, Pennsylvania – Phil Mickelson. FARMINGTON, Pennsylvania – Phil Mickelson. Vijay Singh. David Thomas, Jim Furyk.Vijay Singh. David Thomas, Jim Furyk.With four of the top five money winners on the With four of the top five money winners on the US PGA Tour, the 84 Luimber Classic has na US PGA Tour, the 84 Luimber Classic has na better field than most of the post-major better field than most of the post-major tournaments.tournaments.= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• The best is yet to come from the “Beast”.The best is yet to come from the “Beast”.““Coach told me that we have a very long tournament Coach told me that we have a very long tournament so I have to pace myself,” Purefoods Chunkee so I have to pace myself,” Purefoods Chunkee import Marquin Chandler said Sunday night.import Marquin Chandler said Sunday night.

= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• Marquin Chandler was not merely a Giant for Marquin Chandler was not merely a Giant for Purefoods Chunkee last night. He was a monsterPurefoods Chunkee last night. He was a monster..

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

• For a while, as confetti rasined down on the For a while, as confetti rasined down on the triumphant Far Eastern U Tamaraws, it looked triumphant Far Eastern U Tamaraws, it looked like coach Bert Flores will be going through the like coach Bert Flores will be going through the whole euphoria without experiencing the biggest whole euphoria without experiencing the biggest thrill of it all – a victory ride from his players.thrill of it all – a victory ride from his players.= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• The newest faces of Philippine tennis continued The newest faces of Philippine tennis continued to emerge from the horizon.to emerge from the horizon.= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = =

• LAS VEGAS – Shane Mosley was anything but LAS VEGAS – Shane Mosley was anything but sweet. He was a winner, though, with his sights sweet. He was a winner, though, with his sights set on bigger things.set on bigger things.= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

SportsSports HeadlinesHeadlines

•HEADLINESHEADLINES are an equally are an equally important part of a sports news important part of a sports news story.story.

While the lead summarizes While the lead summarizes the entire news development, the entire news development, the headline summarizes the the headline summarizes the lead itself.lead itself.

ONE DECKONE DECK

Pacquiao wins!Pacquiao wins!

P’sinan is champ!P’sinan is champ!

Espino is victor!Espino is victor!

Patriots, Beermen clash Patriots, Beermen clash tonitetonite

TWO DECKSTWO DECKS

Mindanao beachMindanao beachvolley champsvolley champs

GM BarbosaGM Barbosaoff to Vietnamoff to Vietnam

La Salle gals eye secondLa Salle gals eye second

crown in UAAP volleyballcrown in UAAP volleyball

Donaire in 12thDonaire in 12th

Elorde awardsElorde awards

THREE DECKSTHREE DECKS

Broken noseBroken nose

steals milestonesteals milestone

glory from Kobeglory from Kobe

Powerade Powerade

vows tovows to

win crownwin crown

UndermannedUndermanned

Azkals battleAzkals battle

Icheon FCIcheon FC

FOUR DECKSFOUR DECKS

M’weather:M’weather:

Maganto,Maganto,

PacquiaoPacquiao

‘‘cheaters’cheaters’

POC to raisePOC to raise

own fundsown funds

for Olympicfor Olympic

participationparticipation

Transforming the Transforming the HEADLINEHEADLINE

Dagupan City hosts national Dagupan City hosts national

seniors basketball tournamentseniors basketball tournament

Dagupan hosts nationalDagupan hosts national

seniors basketball tourneyseniors basketball tourney

Dagupan hosts nat’lDagupan hosts nat’l

seniors cage tourneyseniors cage tourney

Dagupan hostsDagupan hosts

nat’l cagefest nat’l cagefest

SPORTS SPORTS VOCABULARYVOCABULARY

(Some frequently used terms (Some frequently used terms or sports lingo)or sports lingo)

• BASKETBALLBASKETBALL - quintet, zone defense, - quintet, zone defense, five, rebound, rally, man-to-man, keyhole five, rebound, rally, man-to-man, keyhole area, 30-second clock, long tom, tip-in, press, area, 30-second clock, long tom, tip-in, press, steals, steals, 15-foot line, twinner, follow-up, lemon time, 15-foot line, twinner, follow-up, lemon time, playoff slot, haul rebounds, dish out assists, playoff slot, haul rebounds, dish out assists, inside baskets, point guard, homecourt inside baskets, point guard, homecourt advantage, playmaker.advantage, playmaker.

• BASEBALL/SOFTBALLBASEBALL/SOFTBALL - diamond, - diamond, pitcher, short stop, southpaw, shut out, back pitcher, short stop, southpaw, shut out, back stop, pegged at third, swatters, pitcher’s stop, pegged at third, swatters, pitcher’s mound, hit a homerun, fails to make the mound, hit a homerun, fails to make the catch, deep center, fielder, strike out, catch, deep center, fielder, strike out, innings, a double steal of second and third innings, a double steal of second and third bases, unearned runs, reaches first base bases, unearned runs, reaches first base safely.safely.

– VOLLEYBALLVOLLEYBALL - booming service, net - booming service, net ball, spikes, change court, wallop, best ball, spikes, change court, wallop, best attacker/receiver/server/blocker/digger/setter, attacker/receiver/server/blocker/digger/setter, block, two out of three, blocked his kill, spiker, block, two out of three, blocked his kill, spiker, peppered with peppered with

12 hits.12 hits.

– SOCCER FOOTBALL SOCCER FOOTBALL - goalie, fullback, - goalie, fullback, corner kick, pigskin, penalty kick, centrada, corner kick, pigskin, penalty kick, centrada, corner kickcorner kick

– SIPASIPA - fancy kick, dead ball, single, ball on - fancy kick, dead ball, single, ball on play, double.play, double.

• GOLFGOLF - hole-in-one, birdie, bogey, par, - hole-in-one, birdie, bogey, par, fired a 7-under-64, win by fired a 7-under-64, win by two strokes second putt, behind the green, two strokes second putt, behind the green, one-shot lead, tee-off, four-stroke lead, one-shot lead, tee-off, four-stroke lead, sprint down the fairway, hit pivotal shots, sprint down the fairway, hit pivotal shots, hole clutch putts, carded a two-under par hole clutch putts, carded a two-under par 7070

• TENNISTENNIS - straight sets, singles, smash - straight sets, singles, smash cut, doubles, half volleys, passing shots, cut, doubles, half volleys, passing shots, good serving, grass court, backhand volley, good serving, grass court, backhand volley, double fault, lost servedouble fault, lost serve

• TRACK EVENTS TRACK EVENTS - breasted the tape, - breasted the tape, dashes, runs (200, 400 & 800), dashes, runs (200, 400 & 800), hurdles,burned the cinders, relay, clocked a hurdles,burned the cinders, relay, clocked a new record, photo finish, middle distance new record, photo finish, middle distance runner, anchor man, pass the baton,bore runner, anchor man, pass the baton,bore down on him, break the recorddown on him, break the record

– FIELD EVENTS FIELD EVENTS - heaved the shotput, - heaved the shotput, hurled the hurled the javelin, threw the discus, broad javelin, threw the discus, broad jump, pole vault, jump, pole vault, hop-step-and-jump, hop-step-and-jump, Grecian disc, long jump.Grecian disc, long jump.

– CYCLINGCYCLING - wheel by wheel, - wheel by wheel, remateremate, multi-, multi-lap, yellow jersey, lead pack.lap, yellow jersey, lead pack.

– BOXINGBOXING - round by round, slugfest, - round by round, slugfest, flyweight, flyweight, welterweight, jab, uppercut, welterweight, jab, uppercut, heavyweight, heavyweight, uppercut, ring, knockout loss, uppercut, ring, knockout loss, landed a left body landed a left body blow, lightweight, super-blow, lightweight, super-featherweight, split featherweight, split decision, boxing stable, decision, boxing stable, flurry of punches.flurry of punches.

– SWIMMINGSWIMMING - aquabelle, freestyle, tanker, - aquabelle, freestyle, tanker, breaststroke, naiad, breaststroke, naiad, backstroke, diving board.backstroke, diving board.

– TAEKWONDOTAEKWONDO - turning side kick, jins, - turning side kick, jins, heavyweight, finweight, heavyweight, finweight, flyweight.flyweight.

– CHESSCHESS - grandmaster, chess board, - grandmaster, chess board, zugzwang, plus 47 ELO rating, zugzwang, plus 47 ELO rating,

nine-round tournament, blitzkrieg chess, nine-round tournament, blitzkrieg chess, king, king, queen, board one, bishop, knight, queen, board one, bishop, knight, opening move, opening move, rook or tower, pawn.rook or tower, pawn.

– ARCHERYARCHERY - bowman, drawing back- bowman, drawing back

THAT’STHAT’S ALL, ALL,

FOLKS!FOLKS!