How to Develop Basic Journalism Skills
Learn to write with the “5W’s”: who, what, where, when, why and how., Organize the story: Get busy and organize the story after you write the lead., Write the main part of your story in the inverted pyramid style., Add the lead to your story., Get...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn to write with the “5W’s”: who
They are the building blocks of every news story. -
Step 2: why and how.
This includes adding the interview quotes, writing the story in the inverted pyramid, along with the other items mentioned here. , This is where the most important news appears at the top and less important points follow in descending order.
This is the format used for most news articles since the least important part of the story can be cut if necessary (usually if there is a timelier story or a new advertisement is sold). , Leads are typically one or two sentences and 30-50 words total.
The lead should summarize the entire article so the reader can decide if they want to read the entire contents. , Immediacy is how recently the event happened.
Impact is the effect a story will have on reader's lives.
The bigger the impact, the bigger the story.
News judgment is the ability to determine which stories are most interesting and important to that publications' readers. , This is where you get word-for-word information from a good source who you can cite.
A partial quote is where you just use part of a direct quote.
A paraphrase is the reporter’s summation of source’s words.
Problems to avoid in using quotes include dull, obvious quotes and quotes that echo a previous statement; quotes used as leads; a string of quotes run in sentence after sentence; curse words in quotes; and distortion of quotes. , This is on the record.
Off the record is where the source knows about the subject but does not want his or her name used.
An example would be during the Watergate scandal, “deep throat” was a high ranking government official who did not want to lose his job (or worse).
Using an off-the-record source is not acceptable in many newsrooms.
If that is all you can get, try to get another person who is familiar with the story to confirm the information (and who will let you cite them). , They are designed to get the source to talk freely and reveal thoughts and feelings.
Examples include: what is your philosophy of sports? What thoughts were going through your head the first time you rescued a drowning swimmer? Closed-ended questions can be answered either “yes” or “no” without further explanation; used to confirm information, but not very effective for many interviews.
Softball questions:
Easy, non-controversial queries aimed at developing a rapport with the source and helping them to relax. , Active and passive voices refer to the relationship between the subject and the verb.
In an active sentence, the subject is doing something.
In a passive sentence, the subject does nothing; it is acted upon.
The active voice makes your writing stronger and livelier, and is the style that is used in most news articles.
Examples:
The girls ate the pizza. (active) vs.
The pizza was eaten by the girls. , An example of third person writing: "this reporter conducted the research." A first person phrase would be: "I conducted the research." Try writing in the third person as much as possible in journalistic writing. , This is where someone tries to pass off the words or ideas of others as their own (without attribution).
The main danger for many reporters is when they copy directly from the Internet (even if they cite the Internet source, they should re-write in their own words). , Don't pick favorites (or complain about something without explaining the good points also).
Report the story honestly and accurately and let the readers decide.
Sometimes bias includes the failure to present both sides of an issue fairly; or by manipulating facts to sway readers’ opinions.
Avoid this. -
Step 3: Organize the story: Get busy and organize the story after you write the lead.
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Step 4: Write the main part of your story in the inverted pyramid style.
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Step 5: Add the lead to your story.
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Step 6: Get timely and make a bigger impression on readers.
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Step 7: Use quotes: Learn the direct quote first (someone’s exact words).
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Step 8: Understand on the record: Try to make sure that your source will agree to let you quote them.
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Step 9: Understand open versus closed-ended questions: Get familiar with open ended questions
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Step 10: they are often the best.
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Step 11: Understand active vs. passive voice: Active voice is the way most people talk.
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Step 12: Detach yourself as a writer by using third person in most of your articles.
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Step 13: Don't attempt plagiarism!
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Step 14: Avoid "reporter's opinion."
Detailed Guide
They are the building blocks of every news story.
This includes adding the interview quotes, writing the story in the inverted pyramid, along with the other items mentioned here. , This is where the most important news appears at the top and less important points follow in descending order.
This is the format used for most news articles since the least important part of the story can be cut if necessary (usually if there is a timelier story or a new advertisement is sold). , Leads are typically one or two sentences and 30-50 words total.
The lead should summarize the entire article so the reader can decide if they want to read the entire contents. , Immediacy is how recently the event happened.
Impact is the effect a story will have on reader's lives.
The bigger the impact, the bigger the story.
News judgment is the ability to determine which stories are most interesting and important to that publications' readers. , This is where you get word-for-word information from a good source who you can cite.
A partial quote is where you just use part of a direct quote.
A paraphrase is the reporter’s summation of source’s words.
Problems to avoid in using quotes include dull, obvious quotes and quotes that echo a previous statement; quotes used as leads; a string of quotes run in sentence after sentence; curse words in quotes; and distortion of quotes. , This is on the record.
Off the record is where the source knows about the subject but does not want his or her name used.
An example would be during the Watergate scandal, “deep throat” was a high ranking government official who did not want to lose his job (or worse).
Using an off-the-record source is not acceptable in many newsrooms.
If that is all you can get, try to get another person who is familiar with the story to confirm the information (and who will let you cite them). , They are designed to get the source to talk freely and reveal thoughts and feelings.
Examples include: what is your philosophy of sports? What thoughts were going through your head the first time you rescued a drowning swimmer? Closed-ended questions can be answered either “yes” or “no” without further explanation; used to confirm information, but not very effective for many interviews.
Softball questions:
Easy, non-controversial queries aimed at developing a rapport with the source and helping them to relax. , Active and passive voices refer to the relationship between the subject and the verb.
In an active sentence, the subject is doing something.
In a passive sentence, the subject does nothing; it is acted upon.
The active voice makes your writing stronger and livelier, and is the style that is used in most news articles.
Examples:
The girls ate the pizza. (active) vs.
The pizza was eaten by the girls. , An example of third person writing: "this reporter conducted the research." A first person phrase would be: "I conducted the research." Try writing in the third person as much as possible in journalistic writing. , This is where someone tries to pass off the words or ideas of others as their own (without attribution).
The main danger for many reporters is when they copy directly from the Internet (even if they cite the Internet source, they should re-write in their own words). , Don't pick favorites (or complain about something without explaining the good points also).
Report the story honestly and accurately and let the readers decide.
Sometimes bias includes the failure to present both sides of an issue fairly; or by manipulating facts to sway readers’ opinions.
Avoid this.
About the Author
Jack Stone
Writer and educator with a focus on practical DIY projects knowledge.
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