1. Writing a Newspaper Article
English III

2. Dream of being a writer?
In any language, newspapers employ the greatest number of writers
Medium through which a single person can reach millions of readers

3. What’s the trick?
The key to writing a successful article is simplicity
Get to the point and be clear and quick

4. General Structure Headline Byline (by Joe Smith)
Lead (lede or lead paragraph)
overview of story (who, where, what, why, when, how)
Explanation and amplification
Additional information

5. Headline The phrase that grabs one’s attention
Often a noun phrase (no verb)
Unexpected visit
Overwhelming response of voters
Sometimes the confusing noun string
String of 3 or 4 nouns
Ford Complaint Customers (helps to read backwards)
Simple tenses are used instead of continuous
To + infinitive
Mayor to visit quake site
Auxiliary verbs are dropped from the passive
Dog awarded medal
Articles (A, an, the) are dropped
President backs cabinet

6. The body Upside down pyramid Facts in order of descending importance
Unbiased
Use quotes to demonstrate opposing opinions or bring in the human element
No more than three sentences per paragraph
Writer must assume reader has no prior knowledge of the story

7. Layout
Columns
Newspaper pages (broadsheets and tabloids) are very wide
Lines span entire width - difficult to read
Optimize use of available space

8. Style Short sentences Facts told in active voice
Police searched the premises
Reported speech in passive voice
It was later revealed that there was evidence of arson
Mainly the present tense is used
Third person point of view (he, she, it, they)

9. The Wright Brothers Write a short newspaper article using:
Flying facts
Orville and Wilbur Wright
17th December 1903
First engine powered controlled flight
Biplane glider made of wood
Weight 274 kg, wingspan 12.3m
Orville piloted first successful flight
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina USA
Chosen for its strong winds, sandy ground and remote location
Were inspired by watching birds in flight, felt they could control a glider the way a bird controls its wings