WRITING NEWS

Headline * Lead * Body

RULES IN WRITING
HEADLINES
1. Write a
headline that
is easy to
read. Partisan disputes SC ruling

The simple
declarative
subject-
predicate
sentence is
recommended.
2. Give the main
idea in the
first line the
who-what NBI arrests 2
angle
suspects
in swindle case
3. Use the
present tense

Senate passes budget

Senate to convene
For future
events, use the on budget anomaly
infinitive form
4. The active voice
is better than the
Metro ravaged by
passive voice Hagupit

Hagupit ravages Metro

Except in cases where
the doer is unknown or
unimportant. This is
when its okay to use the
past form of the verb. Food production drive
intensified

RPs lost image abroad regained

5. Positive heads
are preferable
to negative
ones
Flu epidemic not
rampant in city

Doctors allay flu fear

6. Avoid
repeating key
words or
ideas in a GSIS strike settled;
headline with
two or more strikers back to work
decks.

GSIS dispute settled;

strikers back to work
7. Dont use
names unless
persons are
well-known
Dimitri Vinogrendor asks
asylum

Russian scientist asks

asylum
8. Be specific.
Avoid
generalities

Student given
scholarship

Nava wins La Salle grant

9. Avoid
editorializing

Midgets make good

showing

Midgets win 3 out of 4

games
10. Use forceful
or dynamic
verbs
as required by
the tone of
the story

Greenies beat all-

Americans, 52-30

Greenies crush all-

Americans, 52-30
11. Avoid splitting
phrases

Debaters chosen to
join Speech Fest

Debaters chosen
to join Speech Fest
12.Avoid splitting
names that
belong together

Abbreviations
and
Armstrong snatches 7th
hyphenated Tour
words should de France victory
not be split as
well
Armstrong snatches
7th Tour de France victory
13. Use a comma
in place of the
conjunction
and
Self-reliance and discipline
up at Baguio confab

Self-reliance, discipline
up at Baguio confab
14. Single
quotation
marks are
used in place
of double
quotation
marks Speakers
campaign for
nationalism
in Linggo ng Wika fest
 KINDS
OF LEAD
1. Conventional or
summary lead
a) WHO lead
b) WHAT lead
c) WHERE lead - place is unique/no prominent
person
d) WHEN lead - rarely used
i. deadlines
ii. holidays
iii. Important dates
e) WHY lead
f) HOW lead - used when the manner, mode,
measure, or method of achieving the story is
2. Novelty lead
a) Astonisher lead - uses an interjection
or an exclamatory sentence

b) Contrast lead - describes two

extremes; sharper contrast = more
effective

c) Epigram lead - quoting a common

expression, verse, or epigram; familiar
in the locality
2. Novelty lead
d) Picture lead - describes; creates
mental picture

e) Background lead - describes the

setting

f) Parody lead - parody of a well-

known poem, song, lines, etc.
2. Novelty lead
g) One-word lead

h) Quotation lead - speakers direct

words which are very striking

i) Question lead
WRITING THE
NEWS STORY
Before writing
1. Study the data.
2. Arrange or number the facts
according to importance.
3. Eliminate the unnecessary
details.
4. Dig out the lead facts
5. Put the best W or Ws forward.
While writing
1. Write the story right away.
2. Play up the dominant points.
3. Be accurate and truthful.
4. Avoid editorializing and
writing libelous materials.
5. Give the source (attribution)
of the news.
While writing
6. Write names in full when they
are mentioned for the first time.
7. Identify the names
mentioned.
8. Watch our for errors of facts
and grammar.
9. KISS.