Week 10 - Review of basic elements to the news story

Review of basic elements to the news story:


Who
What
When
Where
Why
How

In active voice. Dan hit the ball, not The ball was hit by Dan.
Have an active verb saying clearly what they did or will do.

Kappa Sigma fraternity pledged 10 new members this month.
Who did what when

The Peking Acrobats will perform at the Pavilion Tuesday
Who will do what where when

You write a lead summarizing the most important, interesting thing that happened or that will happen. The lead almost always has the who, what and when. It may or may not have the other elements. It shouldn’t be more than 25-30 words long.

You outline. What are the most important divisions of the story?
Summary sentence for each division.

Go into more detail after the lead and after the introduction to each division of the story.

You start with the most important information and continue with each successively important piece of information. In this style, you don’t go in chronological order. In a speech, what is the most important thing he said? Then the next most important. Not what he said first, second and third. Usually he will start with how happy he is to be here. That’s not the most important or interesting thing. You may summarize what he said, like:
America’s war against terrorism is doomed.

The City Council rebuffed efforts to legislate a 20 mph speed limit within a mile of the Statehouse.