First,
read through your handouts, and make sure you cut out all the baloney. A bit of planning before you begin writing may pay off.
Rarely does the enrollment or other extraneous information fit into the news story, feature or editorial.
Second,
underline or somehow determine what information is most important.
Usually, you will find this categorized into answering Who, What, When,
Where and Why.
Third,
prepare your copy as neatly as possible. Although the judges are
instructed to not judge on spelling, grammar, etc., it certainly makes
an impression on the judge to see a carefully prepared story. And it
helps if the judge can decipher what you have written. Skip lines.
News Tips from Paula LaRocque in "Fourteen tips for clear and graceful writing"
Zero in on the main news idea. Cut out all extraneous material and build story on the main idea. Usually, advance information is more important.
| Click here for help with spelling, punctuation and grammar
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Select sources to quote on the main idea. These should be authorities and leaders, not just somebody off the street.
Look for conflicting ideas. This may be your story.
The lead paragraph or two should grab the reader. Don't back
in. Questions or direct quotes in the lead usually are not the best
approach.
The bridge or nut graph should get into the meat of the story; the news peg.
Use summary-quote approach in the body of your article.This
usually means you might introduce a source with a paraphrase, then
follow with a dirrect quote by the same person. It makes sense to
introduce the source before you let the source speak, doesn't it?
Be sure to use attribution ("said" is best in news) and
accurately identify the person in first reference. In subsequent
references, use last name only without courtesy title. Summaries should
draw things together. Often these can be observations by the writer,
but not judgments. "According to" should be used only for references to
printed material.
Quotes should be relevant, provocative, colorful or answering
questions "why" or "how". Be sure not to use quoted material that you
have used in a summary statement. This is needless repetition. Also try
to weave biographical information into the story without quotes. The
University of Texas graduate said instead of "I attended the University
of Texas at Austin."
Features
Show
the reader what has happened. Use scenes, anecdotes, colorful
description, colorful language (similes, metaphors, etc) , active
verbs. The lead should be a real grabber.
Zero in on the feature. What is odd or unusual, what is ironic, what is human interest?
Spell names correctly.
Use a tie-back ending. This means tie back to the beginning.
This takes the story full circle, and your reader should have
experienced a "visual journey." If you can't figure out how to tie it
back, use a good quote. But avoid editorial comment or congratulatory
type information.
Click here for tips on feature writing.
Editorials
Editorials need persuasive writing, not sarcastic or demeaning.
The opening should state the issue and your newspaper's opinion.
Give opposing views and then select one to support.
Quotes add little to your argument, usually. Paraphrase what the person says and use it as an argument either for or against.
Take a strong stand on the issue.
Urge action by your readers, if possible.
Check your facts before you hand in paper, spelling of names, especially.
Avoid splits between lines
Work to get strong active voice verbs into the headline
Don't use articles.
Headlines need to say something
They must be clever while not being silly, and they should be as near count as possible
You need to use attribution when the reader may be confused about where the information comes from
Use present unless the event is in the future
Then, use either the infinitive or the verb "will"
Avoid questions.
Avoid punctuation unless it is needed (comma, semicolon or colon)
No need for exclamations since people rarely exclaim in real life.
Check this site for helpful hints on heads, cutlines and other stuff in editing.
