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Newspaper Article Writing Basics

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Newspaper Article Writing Basics

Study the article features, then plan and write a newspaper article. For open-ended writing tasks, answers will vary; check each response against the instruction.

Recognising newspaper article features

Identify the purpose of each part of an article.

1.Match each article feature with its purpose.

Headline
Byline
Lead
Body
Quotation
Caption

Presents the main facts and supporting details
Opens with the most important information
Draws readers in and signals the story topic
Names the writer of the article
Repeats a person's exact spoken words
Gives brief context for a related item in the article

2.Which article feature is designed to catch a reader's attention and preview the story?

Headline
Byline
Body
Caption

3.Select the details a strong news lead will usually try to establish. Choose all that apply.

Who was involved
What happened
When it happened
Where it happened
Why or how it happened, if known
The writer's personal preference

4.True or false: A byline tells readers who wrote the article.

TrueFalse

5.Complete the sentence: Newspaper reports usually present the most important information near the of the article.

Plan a school radio station story

Use this fictional event as your starting point: At lunchtime on Thursday, the school radio station launched a student-made podcast, featuring interviews about a new lunchtime music programme. The station is in the school library.

6.Choose one clear angle for a news report about the podcast launch. Write the main event your article will focus on.

7.Write an informative headline for a report about the student podcast launch. Aim for a few strong words.

8.Draft a lead of one or two sentences using the event details. Include who, what, when and where without adding facts that are not provided.

9.Write three follow-up questions you could ask a student involved in making the podcast to gather accurate details for the article.

10.List three facts from the event description that belong in the article. Do not invent extra details.

Write and review your article

Turn your plan into a clear, factual news report.

11.Write a newspaper article about the podcast launch. Include a headline, a byline, a lead, supporting details and a closing sentence. Use only the event facts provided and make clear which details are known.

12.Review your article. List the statements that are true of your own writing: it has a clear headline; it names its writer in a byline; its lead gives the main known facts; its body adds accurate detail; and it ends with a suitable closing sentence.