Writing a news article is not as easy as it may seem. It requires skill, research, and creativity to produce a clear, concise, and engaging piece of journalism that informs and educates the readers.
In this article, we will show you the basics of news writing, using examples from www.theinformant247.com, a news website that covers politics, education, health, sports, and entertainment in Nigeria.
The Inverted Pyramid Structure
One of the most important aspects of news writing is the inverted pyramid structure. This means that you should present the most important and relevant information at the beginning of your article, and then gradually provide more details and background information as you go along. This way, you can capture the attention of your readers and answer their main questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
The Lead
The lead (or lede) is the first sentence or paragraph of your news article. It should summarize the main point or event of your story in a catchy and concise way. It should also include the most important information, such as who is involved, what happened, when and where it happened, and why it matters. The lead should not be longer than 25 words and should not contain any opinions or unnecessary details.
For example, here is a good lead from an article on www.theinformant247.com:
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of 15 new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
This lead tells us who (Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde), what (approved the appointment of 15 new permanent secretaries), when (implied to be recent), where (in the state civil service), and why (implied to be important for the state administration).
The Body
The body is the main part of your news article. It should provide more details and explanations about your story, following the inverted pyramid structure. You should use short paragraphs (no more than four sentences each) and simple sentences (no more than 20 words each) to make your article easy to read and understand. You should also use quotes from reliable sources (such as officials, experts, witnesses, or documents) to support your facts and add credibility to your story. You should attribute your sources by using their full names and titles or affiliations.
For example, here is a good paragraph from an article on www.theinformant247.com:
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr Taiwo Adisa on Tuesday evening in Ibadan, the governor congratulated the new permanent secretaries and urged them to see their appointments as a call to service. He also said that the appointments were based on merit and that they should justify the confidence reposed in them by the government.
This paragraph tells us more about the source of information (a statement by the Chief Press Secretary), the tone of the governor (congratulatory and urging), and the criteria for the appointments (merit).
The Conclusion
The conclusion is the last part of your news article. It should wrap up your story by providing any additional or relevant information that you have not mentioned before. It should also leave your readers with a clear impression of what your story is about and why it matters. You should not introduce any new facts or opinions in your conclusion.
For example, here is a good conclusion from an article on www.theinformant247.com:
The statement added that the swearing-in ceremony for the new permanent secretaries will hold on Wednesday at 10 am at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office. It also listed the names of the new permanent secretaries and their portfolios.
This conclusion tells us what will happen next (the swearing-in ceremony) and where and when it will happen (at 10 am at the Executive Council Chambers). It also provides more details about the new permanent secretaries (their names and portfolios).
Tips for News Writing
Here are some tips to help you write a good news article:
- Research your topic thoroughly and verify your facts from multiple sources.
- Write in an active voice and use simple words and sentences.
- Use quotes from reliable sources and attribute them properly.
- Avoid using jargon, slang, or abbreviations that your readers may not understand.
- Proofread your article for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style errors.
Conclusion
Writing a news article is a challenging but rewarding task that requires skill, research, and creativity. By following the inverted pyramid structure and using clear and concise language, you can produce a quality piece of journalism that informs and educates your readers. We hope this guide has helped you learn how to write a news article using examples from www.theinformant247.com.
I hope this article meets your expectations. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know. 😊
