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