Crimes news writing format

Here is a general format for writing a news article about a crime:

Headline

• Use a clear and concise headline that summarizes the main point of the article. For example: "Man Arrested for Burglary in Local Neighborhood"

Lead

• The lead is the opening paragraph of the article and should provide a brief summary of the crime and its significance. It should grab the reader's attention and provide a sense of what the article is about. For example: "A 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening for breaking into a residence in the 100 block of Main Street. The suspect, who has been identified as John Doe, allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door and stole several valuables."

Body

• The body of the article should provide more details about the crime, including:
  • The time and location of the crime
  • The type of crime committed (e.g. burglary, assault, theft)
  • The suspect's identity and any prior criminal history
  • The investigation and any leads or evidence found
  • Any statements from authorities or witnesses
• Use specific details and quotes to make the article more engaging and informative. For example: "According to police, the burglary occurred at approximately 10pm on Tuesday night. The suspect allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door and stole several valuables, including a laptop and a television. 'We are still investigating the incident, but we believe the suspect may have been acting alone,' said Officer Jane Smith, who is leading the investigation."

Additional Information

• This section can include any additional information that is relevant to the crime, such as:
  • Any surveillance footage or photos of the suspect
  • Any witness statements or descriptions of the suspect
  • Any information about the victim or their family
  • Any updates on the investigation or the suspect's status

Conclusion

• The conclusion should summarize the main points of the article and provide a sense of closure. For example: "The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The suspect is currently being held at the local jail and is expected to be arraigned later this week."

Style and Tone

• Use a clear and concise writing style, avoiding jargon and technical terms that may be unfamiliar to readers.
• Use a neutral tone, avoiding sensationalism or bias.
• Use active voice instead of passive voice, as it is more engaging and easier to read.

Length

• The length of the article will depend on the complexity of the crime and the amount of information available. Generally, a crime news article should be around 300-500 words.

Here is an example of a crime news article using this format:

Headline

Man Arrested for Burglary in Local Neighborhood

Lead

A 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening for breaking into a residence in the 100 block of Main Street. The suspect, who has been identified as John Doe, allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door and stole several valuables.

Body

According to police, the burglary occurred at approximately 10pm on Tuesday night. The suspect allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door and stole several valuables, including a laptop and a television. "We are still investigating the incident, but we believe the suspect may have been acting alone," said Officer Jane Smith, who is leading the investigation.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the local jail. Police are urging anyone with information about the burglary to come forward.

Additional Information

Surveillance footage shows the suspect entering the home through the front door. Witnesses reported seeing a person matching the suspect's description fleeing the scene on foot.

Conclusion

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The suspect is currently being held at the local jail and is expected to be arraigned later this week.