De blue print for writing a news story

Here is a general blueprint for writing a news story:

I. Introduction

• Lead sentence: Grab the reader's attention with a concise and informative sentence that summarizes the main point of the story.
• Background information: Provide some context or background information to help readers understand the significance of the story.
• Thesis statement: Clearly state the main point or angle of the story.

II. Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

• Who: Identify the main people or groups involved in the story.
• What: Describe the event, issue, or situation being reported.
• Where: Provide the location(s) where the story took place.
• When: Give the date(s) and time(s) of the event(s).
• Why: Explain the reasons behind the event or issue.
• How: Describe the methods or actions taken by the people or groups involved.

III. The Main Event

• Provide a detailed account of the main event or issue, including quotes from key sources.
• Use vivid and descriptive language to help readers visualize the scene.
• Include any relevant statistics, data, or research to support the story.

IV. Additional Information

• Provide additional context or details that help readers understand the story.
• Include any relevant background information or historical context.
• Quote additional sources to provide different perspectives or insights.

V. Conclusion

• Summarize the main points of the story.
• Restate the thesis statement.
• Provide a final thought or call to action.

VI. Additional Elements

• Headline: Write a clear and concise headline that accurately reflects the content of the story.
• Subheadlines: Use subheadlines to break up the story and provide additional context.
• Photos and graphics: Include relevant photos and graphics to help illustrate the story.
• Links and resources: Provide links to additional resources or information related to the story.

VII. Editing and Fact-Checking

• Review the story for accuracy and completeness.
• Check facts and quotes to ensure they are correct.
• Make any necessary changes or corrections.

Here is an example of what a news story might look like using this blueprint:

Headline: Local Business Owner Arrested for Fraud

Introduction: A local business owner was arrested yesterday on charges of fraud, according to police. The owner of XYZ Corporation, John Smith, was taken into custody after an investigation revealed that he had been embezzling funds from the company.

Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How:

• Who: John Smith, owner of XYZ Corporation
• What: Embezzlement of company funds
• Where: XYZ Corporation, located in downtown area
• When: Yesterday, at approximately 2pm
• Why: To fund his own personal expenses
• How: By writing checks to himself and using company credit cards for personal purchases

The Main Event:

According to police, Smith had been embezzling funds from the company for several months. He would write checks to himself and use company credit cards for personal purchases, including luxury items and vacations. The company's accountant discovered the fraud and reported it to police.

Additional Information:

Smith's arrest comes as a shock to the community, where he was well-respected and had been a prominent business leader. The company's employees are still reeling from the news and are trying to come to terms with what happened.

Conclusion:

Smith's arrest is a reminder of the importance of ethical business practices and the consequences of fraud. The community is left to wonder how this could have happened and what steps can be taken to prevent it in the future.

Additional Elements:

• Photo of John Smith being taken into custody
• Graphic illustrating the amount of money embezzled
• Link to the police department's website for more information on the case