1. Journalism Unit Bobcat Beat
The News Story
Journalism Unit
Bobcat Beat

2. News Stories News stories are always factual.
News stories are brief and concise.
All news stories should be written in 3rd person.
Do not use I, my, we, me, us, or our.
Do not include your opinion (only
if you are writing a feature story).

3. News Stories
News stories contain the lead paragraph and the news body.
The lead must be attention grabbing.
Always include who, what when, where, and sometimes why and how.
Sentences should be short.
Eliminate unnecessary words.

4. News Stories
The FBI accompanied the group of witnesses to Montgomery last month because the FBI was hopeful that it might work out that some of them might be able to identify the suspects of the crime.
The FBI agent accompanied the witness to Montgomery last month, hoping they could identify the suspect.

5. News Stories
When the play was over, everyone in the audience seemed to be happy and showed it by enthusiastically clapping.
At the end of the play, the audience clapped enthusiastically.

6. News Stories
In a news story, important facts are stated in the first paragraph (after the lead).
The least important facts and details are found in the last paragraph.
This is called inverted pyramid style.
Facts are presented in order of importance.
Why do you think newspapers use inverted pyramid style?

7. News Stories- Inverted Pyramid

8. News Stories Lead- “hook” the reader
Important facts in the first paragraph.
Middle paragraphs answer the rest of the 5 W’s and H. Include quotes and other details.
The conclusion summarizes the story and gives the reader something to think about.