Writing a news article is a bit different than maybe an English essay. Whether you're a newbie to news scene, or the rusty old journalism major, here is a good crash course in news writing.
First of all, a news article always begins with a lead. A lead is the first sentence, and tells the entire story in 25 words or less. A lead answers: who, what, when, where, why and how. Not all questions are applicable to every story, so not every lead will answer all of them.
Once you have a lead, write the rest in inverted pyramid. News articles are written like an upside down triangle. The most important details are first, trickling down to the least important by the end.
Inverted pyramid serves two purposes. First, readers are pressed for time. They may have to walk away at any second. By giving the most important details first, they will still have gotten the story even if they can't finish your article. Secondly, in the land of publishing, advertising is king. If an advertiser wants more space, layout designers don't have time to rewrite your article to make the ad fit. Instead, articles are written so the last few lines can be cut and not kill your piece.
Tips:
Remember: K.I.S.S = Keep it Simple Stupid. News articles are written at an eighth grade level. Don't use a big word when a small one will do.
1. Study news articles. Websites like MSN, AOL, and Yahoo have great feature articles. Read them regularly.
2. Pay attention to the way they are structured and try mimic their rhythm and tone.
3. Write tight. This means, be concise. Feature stories allow more creativity, but mainly, journalism is about space. Say as much as possible, in as little space as possible. Don't use two words when one will do.
4. Get an AP Style Manual. News articles are written in AP Style. A style manual will answer any technical questions you may have.
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