Parts of news writing

Here are the key parts of news writing:

  1. Lead (or Lede): The opening sentence or paragraph of the article, which summarizes the main point of the story.
  2. Headline: The title of the article, which should be attention-grabbing and concise.
  3. Dateline: The location and date of the story, usually included at the top of the article.
  4. Inverted Pyramid: A structure used to organize the article, with the most important information at the top and less important details at the bottom.
  5. Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How: The five Ws of journalism, which provide the essential information about the story.
  6. Quotes: Direct quotes from people involved in the story, which add depth and context to the article.
  7. Attribution: The source of the information, which should be clearly attributed to ensure accuracy and credibility.
  8. Background: Additional information that provides context and helps readers understand the significance of the story.
  9. Analysis: An interpretation of the story, which provides insight and perspective.
  10. Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a final thought or call to action.
  11. Boilerplate: A brief summary of the story, often used in wire services or online headlines.
  12. Standfirst: A brief summary of the story, often used in print headlines.
  13. Subheadings: Headings that break up the article and provide a summary of the main points.
  14. Paragraphs: The main body of the article, which should be well-organized and easy to follow.
  15. Transitions: Words or phrases that connect the different parts of the article and help the reader follow the story.
  16. Style: The tone, voice, and language used in the article, which should be clear, concise, and engaging.
  17. Fact-checking: The process of verifying the accuracy of the information in the article.
  18. Objectivity: The goal of presenting a balanced and unbiased view of the story.
  19. Clarity: The ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner.
  20. Conciseness: The ability to convey the main points of the story in a brief and efficient manner.

By incorporating these elements, news writers can create engaging, informative, and accurate articles that meet the needs of their audience.