How to Write a Newspaper Article
A Newspaper Article must have the following details:
Headline
Picture
Caption (for picture)
Name (of the author – you)
5 Paragraphs, IN COLUMNS
HEADLINE (in large
letters)
PICTURE
caption
Byline: your name




All news reports must be written
using the past tense.
There are no personal pronouns
except in the quotations.
Write short, clear paragraphs.
Follow the format below.
Indent your paragraphs every time. All
text must appear in columns. The first
paragraph contains the following
information: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and
WHERE the event took place.
This is called the LEAD. Include details of
names, places, time, etc. The LEAD
captures the reader’s attention.
Indent the second paragraph.
Remember to keep all your writing in
COLUMNS. In your second paragraph, you
will include the following information:
WHY, HOW and any
additional interesting information about the
event that occurred. Be sure to be clear and
outline what led to the event.
Indent the third paragraph. Remember to
keep all your writing in COLUMNS. In this
paragraph you will include 1 quotation about
the event. The quotation must be from a
witness, the person involved, a bystander,
police officer, someone supervising the
event, etc. Do not start quotation with “the
person had this to say,”
Indent the fourth paragraph. Remember to
keep all your writing in COLUMNS. In this
paragraph you will include a 2nd quotation
about the event. The quotation must be
from a witness, the person involved, a
bystander, police officer, someone
supervising the event, etc. Make sure to
punctuate your dialogue properly: Tom
Robbins exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe my
eyes when the building blew up!”
Indent the last paragraph. Remember to
keep all your writing in COLUMNS. In the
5th paragraph, you will bring the report to a
close. DO NOT RESTATE THE LEAD.
Instead, offer readers next steps, important
information for follow up, etc.