5 BASIC ELEMENTS OF JOURNALISTIC
WRITING
Accuracy
o Articles must be factual and never tampered. Journalism is only biased to truth.
Clarity
o avoid over-technical words and jargons.
o organize the presentation of paragraphs to present information clearly.
Readability
o ensure that the readers can easily process the information presented.
Brevity
o use clear, direct language and avoid unnecessary words or phrases to get the point across quickly and e ectively.
Timeliness
o news should be both accurate and up to date; reporting something that happened in the 1980s in 2024 is wrong.
WHAT MAKES AN ARTICLE
NEWSWORTHY?
Impact
o Those with huge impact to the Society.
Proximity
o Refers to the geographical closeness of an event to the audience.
Prominence
o Refers to the involvement of well-known figures that interests the public
Conflict
o Refers to topics that are usually issues/problems that create tensions between parties.
Human Interest
o Refers to articles with stories that evoke emotion.
Oddity
o Refers to the presence of unusual events or occurrences.
HEADLINE WRITING FOR NEWS ARTICLES
Be Concise:
o Use as few words as possible while conveying the main message. Nine words or less is a good guideline.
o Example:“Boost Sales with Social Media Ads”
Active Voice:
o Write headlines in active voice to make them more engaging and direct.
o Example:“Scientists Discover New Planet”(active) vs.“A New Planet Has Been Discovered by Scientists” (passive)
Clarity and Completeness:
o Ensure your headline is clear and doesn’t mislead readers. It should stand alone and provide a complete thought.
o Example:“Reduce Stress with These 5 Simple Techniques”
Avoid Jargon and Ambiguity:
o Steer clear of industry-specific jargon unless your audience understands it.
o Eliminate ambiguity by being specific.
o Example:“Revolutionary AI Algorithm Solves
Complex Equations” (specific) vs.“New AI
Breakthrough Unveiled”(ambiguous)
STRUCTURE OF A NEWS ARTICLE
LEAD
o Most important element of the story.
o GIST: usually the summary.
o Usually answers the 5Ws and 1H
LEAD SUPPORT
o Should complement the lead, provides information
o not stated in the lead
BODY
o Additional details for readers who have the time
o (New Information)
BACKGROUND
o Context, history, past, events or information related
o to the story (Old Information)
WRITING THE LEAD
1. Gist of the story + Implication
EXAMPLE: THE ADVISER of TomasinoWeb resigned from his post as he slammed what he called“censorship”from some UST administrators, resulting in the temporary halting of the campus media entity’s social media operations.
In an advisory issued on Monday, Feb. 19, TomasinoWeb said all its social media platforms would be on hold because of the resignation of its adviser Leo Laparan II.
2. Gist of the story + Background
EXAMPLE: THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas will host the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections for the voters of Manila District 4 on Monday, Oct. 30.
In a circular dated Oct. 26, the O ice of the Secretary-General said the St. Raymund de Peñafort and Benavides buildings would serve as the polling precincts originally assigned to the Ramon Magsaysay High School, which is under construction.
3. Gist of the story + Reaction
EXAMPLE: UST SECURITY o icials decided to close the University’s gates at 7 p.m. during the Paskuhan concert on Thursday, Dec. 21, drawing flak from students and alumni who sought to attend this year’s festivities.
TYPES OF LEAD
NARRATIVE LEAD
Uses storytelling techniques to draw the reader in and gradually reveal the significance of the story.
CONTRAST LEAD
Highlights the di erence or opposition between two related ideas, situations, or events.
STACCATO LEAD
Short, punchy phrases and sentences separated by dashes, dots, or even just commas to create a sense of urgency, suspense, or drama.
DIRECT ADDRESS LEAD
Speaks directly to the reader using the word "you."
QUESTION LEAD
Frames the story as a question.
QUOTE LEAD
A powerful or insightful quote from a key source related to the story.
WRITING THE BACKGROUND
1. Paragraphs should flow. Transitions should be smooth.
2. Link related ideas. Related sentences and paragraphs
should be close to each other.
3. Do NOT bury new details.
4. Attribute properly; do not take quotes out of context
5. Be fair. Include both sides and perspectives in the story, especially if a conflict is involved.
TIPS IN NEWS WRITING
1. Follow the Associated Press (AP) style. (https://writer.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-ap-styleof-writing/)
2. Asking the“SO WHAT?”question will always help. (What’s the news? What’s the point?)
3. CONTEXT is king. Go beyond the usual. Avoid“he said, she said” journalism.
4. Beef up your mental arsenal—READ. READ. READ.
5. KEEP IN MIND: The interesting angle is sometimes hidden from plain view.
6. Do your homework so you can ask the right questions.
7. Polish your writing skills, grammar and sentence construction.
8. Talk to ordinary people
9. Build rapport with higher ups. Know o icial and non-o icial sources.
10. BE ETHICAL. Once you lose your integrity, you lose everything.
WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL?
An editorial is an unsigned article representing a publication’s stance on an issue, shaped by the collective decision of its editors. It aims to persuade readers, stimulate critical thinking, and prompt action, functioning as an opinionated piece within the news.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN AN EDITORIAL?
Good editorials should have a clear structure, provide a fair explanation of the issue, o er a fresh perspective, consider opposing views, argue professionally without personal attacks, propose constructive solutions, and end with a strong, impactful conclusion.
FOUR TYPES OF EDITORIALS WILL
1. Explain: Clarify newspaper coverage on complex topics.
2. Criticize: O er constructive criticism and potential solutions.
3. Persuade: Encourage immediate action towards a solution.
4. Praise: Commend notable achievements or actions.
STEPS IN WRITING AN EDITORIAL
1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick apart the other side's logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea in the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it concise; make every work count; never use "I."
THE IPOROSAC: EDITORIAL STRUCTURE
1. INTRODUCTION
Situation + Position
2. POSITION OF THE OPPOSITION
Overview of the Opposition’s Side
3. REJECTION OF THE OPPOSITION
Rebuttal; Why are they wrong?
4. STRONG ARGUMENTS
Claims with strong evidence
5. CONCLUSION
May be a call to action or a thought to ponder
WRITING A FEATURE ARTICLE
A feature article INFORMS, ENTERTAINS, & PERSUADES.
PURPOSE OF A FEATURE ARTICLE
Feature articles are detailed pieces of writing which explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences, and ideas. The purpose of a feature article will vary depending on the medium it is meant for. Feature articles should appeal to the audience the article is targeting.
TIP:
There is no certain way to write a feature article, but always refer to its purpose: To entertain, inform, and persuade. Always go back to the core of journalism, TRUTH.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF A FEATURE
1. Title and Headline
a. The headline performs two essential functions.
b. An e ective headline grabs the reader's attention and persuades them to read the article and highlights the main idea of the article.
2. Introduction
a. The first paragraph of an article hooks the reader with a compelling statement, essential background, or a controversial viewpoint, setting the tone and establishing a connection between writer and reader. It sparks curiosity and sets the stage for the article's theme and discussion.
3. Conclusion
a. The concluding paragraph should leave an impression by: Reminding the reader of the article's main idea, suggesting an appropriate course of action, encouraging a change of attitude or opinion.
COLUMN WRITING
What is Column Writing?
Often, it is associated as the marriage of Editorial and Feature. It is an avenue for individual journalists to present their opinion.
GOALS of Column Writing
A. Analyze an issue, whether local or national.
B. Introduce current issues to the public, whether emerging or existing, but need attention.
C. Express arguments and biases on what should be sided with regarding an issue.
D. Mobilize the readers and the masses about the issue being discussed.
PARTS OF A COLUMN ARTICLE
A. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM - Issue + why is this issue a problem + stand regarding the issue.
B. POSITION-EVIDENCE - Opposition + position + evidence
C. CONCLUSION-SOLUTION - Overall implications of the issue + prospective and succeeding problems + doable, ethical, and legal solutions + general stand.
TIPS IN WRITING A COLUMN ARTICLE
Apply the FOFO or Facts-Opinion-Facts-Opinion in each paragraph so that it becomes dense, intelligent, and not just full of the spice of opinion.
TITLE
A good title is bold, attention-grabbing, and calls for action. Be Concise. Often, it also has another meaning. It could be a pun, joke, or a popular phrase on the internet or social media.
Be selective with the title. Be creative and witty yet connected to the issue. For example, in discussing the heat index, the title 'Naheat ang maling target' highlights actions taken on the heat index that may not truly solve the problem. There should be a new or unique flavor to make it sought after and appreciated by people. Panget ang Plain. Masarap ang lugaw na may itlog.
FIRST PARAGRAPH
In the first paragraph, there may be a question, anecdote, personal narrative, or even an analogy that may reflect the issue around which the article revolves. This is just short, full of emotion that is often a jolt, objection, or negative casting towards events.
The di erence from an editorial is that you are freer to be angry, freer to express rage, disappointment, and fury about what is happening. It is bolder, less formal, and more playful in the reader’s mind. If you are angry, you will convince your reader to be even more angry.
BODY
In the body, it is a strong move if you find the boldest and most concrete evidence. It could be laws, proclamations, presidential decrees, and statements from experts to counter your opposition. Here you will also mention the points why you stand firm in your stance.
Add evidence, numbers, past events. You should have evidence of your accusations; if you are going to say that the government is doing nothing about a certain problem, prove it. This will be the ingredient of our dish.
If, for example, the issue is poverty, you cannot fail to mention how many Filipinos are struggling, jobless, hungry, not covered by benefits, dying from malnutrition, and other factors that will bring out the data or other types of facts.
Capture your reader's attention through analogies, using words connected to the issue. For instance, in discussing the heat index, I used terms like sweltering, infuriating, blazing, and others to convey my feelings of frustration and anger. It is important that the ingredients we use fit the context.
Each paragraph should be clear and not overly personal. In each paragraph, there should be a FOFO, which stands for balance— nothing should be excessively salty, spicy, bitter, fiery, watery, or anything else.
THINGS TO AVOID IN ALL CATEGORIES OF
JOURNALISM:
Direct quotation
Name calling.
Violation of journalism ethics
Plagiarism
Ad hominem argument
Appeal to force.
Appeal to pity.
Non sequitur
Hasty generalization
Red herring
Lack of transitional devices
Starting a sentence with 'The'
References:
Explained.PH and www.geneseo.edu
How To Write A Great Feature Article - LORD SELKIRK REGIONAL SECONDARY ...,
https://lsrcssenglish.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/2/3/39232837/how+ to+write+a+great+feature+article.pdf.
TomasinoWeb adviser quits, decries‘censorship’ - The Flame, https://abtheflame.net/news/2024/02/tomasinoweb-adviser-quitsdecries-censorship/.
How To Write A Great Feature Article - LORD SELKIRK REGIONAL SECONDARY ...,
https://lsrcssenglish.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/2/3/39232837/how+ to+write+a+great+feature+article.pdf.
Writing an Editorial - Geneseo, https://www.geneseo.edu/~bennett/EdWrite.htm.