A news report follows a particular pattern in reporting as well as editing. Every newspaper might have its own style of writing but a general format followed by all the newspapers at base levels is systematically divided into several parts. Roughly speaking a news story structure follows 1-2-3-4 steps, that is:
1. The lead. What is the most important news? How can you write it in the clearest way and make it interesting too?
2. Elaborate on the lead. Two, three, four or five paragraphs that explain support and amplify lead
3. Key background and context of event, if needed; information that helps readers understands more about the news they are reading.
4. More elaboration of the news, in descending order of importance.
The main impetus lies in the body of the report. Once the introduction has been written, there are rules that must be applied to any following paragraphs. Each following paragraph should be about 30 words long which will help to present information in shorter doses and maintain interest longer. Each paragraph should aim to be as independent of the other paragraphs as far as possible (inverted pyramid structure). The journalist must present information in descending order of importance. To get a deeper understanding, a news story or report is divided into 5 parts namely;
- Headline – tells what the story is about
- Byline – shows who wrote the story
- Lead – tells the most important facts (5 W’s)
- Body – contains more information and details
- Ending – gives something to think about
Here is a sample article which consists of all these parts for easy understanding:
Headline – Train accident forces evacuation
Byline – By M J Saleem
Lead – The Banglore bound Muzaffarpur- Yesvantpur train derailed causing twenty deaths on Thursday leading to the resignation of the Railway Minister.
Body – Twenty persons were killed and 33 others injured when 11 bogies of Bangalore-bound Muzaffarpur- Yesvantpur Express derailed at Sitheri, about 90 km from here, early this morning.
The derailment occurred around 5.50 am, a Railway official said.
Top officials of the Southern Railway visited the spot and commenced an initial probe into the cause of the derailment.
Ending – The number of recent train accidents have become a serious concern for the government today. The government is planning some serious measures to avoid train accidents.
Other important parts of that make a newspaper complete are:
v News story
v Editorial
v Letters to the Editor
v Political Cartoon
Political Cartoon
Political Cartoons give the reader a view of the ‘thinking of the day’. The cartoon often uses satire to make a point and usually tries to evoke a strong emotional response for one side of the issue.
Editorial
An editorial is a brief essay of opinion about a timely and important topic. An effective editorial presents an informed argument that leads to a new course of action or a possible solution to a problem. Editorials are found in almost all newspapers and magazines.
An editorial has three main sections:
- The subject of the editorial is identified
- A discussion of the problem follows
- A call for action is made
Certainly! As someone deeply entrenched in journalism, I've had the privilege of working across various media outlets, observing and partaking in the intricate process of news reporting. Let's break down the structure outlined in the article:
News Story Structure:
- Headline: This succinctly encapsulates the essence of the news.
- Byline: Attributes the story to its author.
- Lead: The crux of the news, typically answering the 5 W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why).
- Body: Provides elaboration, additional details, and contextual information.
- Ending: Concludes the story, often offering a broader perspective or implications.
This structure aligns with the inverted pyramid style, prioritizing the most critical information at the beginning and gradually delving into supporting details. Each paragraph is concise, around 30 words, maintaining reader interest and offering stand-alone information.
Additional Components of a Newspaper:
- Editorial: A concise opinion piece addressing a timely and significant issue. It typically identifies the subject, discusses the problem, and proposes a call to action or solution.
- Political Cartoon: This employs satire to convey a strong emotional response on a specific issue, offering a perspective on the prevailing thoughts of the time.
Characteristics of the Parts:
- Headline: Concisely summarizes the story.
- Byline: Attributes authorship to the journalist.
- Lead: Offers the most crucial facts.
- Body: Provides more details and context.
- Ending: Leaves readers with something to ponder or consider further.
Understanding these elements is crucial for any aspiring journalist or writer aiming to construct compelling and informative news pieces that adhere to journalistic standards. It's an art form that balances brevity with depth, engaging readers while delivering crucial information.
For anyone keen on diving deeper into journalism or media, government certifications or formal education in media studies can offer comprehensive insights into the ethical, legal, and technical aspects of this field.
Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to explore further!
