Lord of the Flies
Newspaper Article
A newspaper article is a different form of writing with a different purpose, which is
usually to inform.
Articles in a newspaper are quick and to the point, not infused with a whole lot of personal
opinion or evaluation, and focus on communicating the facts.
All good newspaper articles start off with a good headline that will entice the reader to
follow up and read the whole article. A more enticing title tells the reader about the key idea
of your article, but mentions that it contains a surprise or a secret. These two words work
very well for driving people to your articles.
For the body of the article, you need to find some good quotes from interviews/sources.
Nothing brings people in like quotes. It will make your article more personable and give it a
human quality, plus it allows you to break the flow of facts.
There should be no more than four sentences per paragraph. If you have more to add
about a particular topic, you should revisit it after a relevant quote or at the end of the article.
Writing with short paragraphs will look more appealing and readable.
The last thing you need to know about how to write newspaper articles is that your article
should contain a picture. Words are less powerful than a picture, and a captivating picture
will make or break your readability. Without a picture, your article looks dry and
unimportant. With a picture, you will suddenly gain notoriety and visibility.
More Advice for Writing an Article…
 The headline should be accurate and in the present tense.
 The first sentence needs to be short and dramatic. Surprise your reader! Make them
curious.
 Be clear from the start – put the facts of the story first.
 Remember to use the 5 W’s – who is involved; what happened; when did it happen;
where and, most important, why?
 Be accurate - get your facts correct.
 Be fair – there are at least two sides to every story. Let the readers make up their own
minds.
 Avoid clichés – find new ways to describe familiar people and events.
Expectations for article (a deduction will occur if expectations are not met):
 The final copy will be typed
 Line spacing of 1.5
 Times New Roman, size 12 font for all text except the title
 Formatted in columns
 Contains a headline, picture, and quotations
 Word count of 350-500 words
Newspaper Article Rubric
Conventions
Organization
Above Level
5
Spelling, grammar,
and sentence
structure are very
accurate.
Improvement is
difficult.
Distinct
organizational
structures,
techniques, and
transitions are used
with impact and/or
achieve a specific
purpose.
At Level
Below Level
4
3
Spelling, grammar,
and sentence structure
are fairly accurate.
2
1
Inaccuracies in
spelling, grammar,
and sentence
structure hinder
communication.
Distinct organizational
structures, techniques,
and transitions ensure
unity and coherence.
Organizational
structures are
awkward or not
apparent. They are
weak and detract
from a coherent,
unified idea.
Ideas
Ideas are creative,
sophisticated, or
thoroughly developed
in order to achieve a
specific purpose.
Ideas are clear,
appropriate, and
adequately developed
for the identified
audience and
achieving a purpose.
Ideas are vague,
generalized,
superficial, or
undeveloped for the
achieving a specific
purpose.
Language Use
Language choices
and arrangement are
superior and include
precise, powerful, or
creative diction.
Language choices and
arrangement are
effective and
consistent and include
clear and varied
diction.
Language choices
and arrangement are
ineffective and
inconsistent and
include vague,
generalized,
unvaried, or
repetitious diction.