BGCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE REVISION PAPER 1 GUIDED COMPOSITION PART 10 (WRITING A NEWS REPORT) By Berry Shaba 1. INTRODUCTION English Language Paper 1 is a composition paper. Section A is a free topic composition component in which candidates are given a number of composition titles to choose and write. Section B is usually one question (title) and all candidates have to answer this question. Both sections require that candidates display a high level of linguistic ability and grammatical accuracy. The two sections have equal importance. Therefore, candidates need to treat these sections with equal importance because they both have significance contribution to the candidate’s final mark in Paper 1. 2.NEWSPAPER ARTICLE A newspaper article is a story that is written for the newspaper or magazine. There are a number of different kinds of newspaper articles. Most news articles in newspapers are news stories and focus only on the facts but there are other kinds of articles. These include: A news article focuses on what's going on in your neighbourhood, village, town, city or country. An international news article focuses on news that's happening outside the country. A story on the famine in Somalia would be considered an international news story. A feature article is an article that is about "softer" news. A feature may be a profile of a person who does a lot of volunteer work in the community or a movie preview. Feature articles are not considered news stories. News reports have certain characteristic features which make them different from communication documents such as memos, notices, letters or reports written within organisations. The basic format of a newspaper article can be simplified as follows: Headline By line Lead Paragraph Explanation and Amplification Background Headline A headline is a sentence, phrase, word, or group of words written in large, bold type on a newspaper front page or above a body of text on any page of a newspaper or magazine. All newspaper articles start off with a headline which is written at the top of the article. The headline serves the purpose of getting the reader’s attention and usually to encourage the reading of the following the article. The headline indicates the nature of the article below it. It is the title of a newspaper article. Example: JEALOUSY MAN KILLS WIFE PIT BULL MAULS ELDERLY MAN TODDLER DROWNS LOST CHILD FOUND ZEBRAS QUALIFY FOR AFCON 2012 Byline This tells who wrote the story. (By…….. ……….). The byline usually follows the headline. It states the author’s full name. However, in some cases the byline can be written at the end of the article. Lead Paragraph The lead paragraph is the first one in a news story. Normally, the lead is one sentence long which summarizes the facts of the news story. This is a very important part of the article. Professional writers spend considerable time and effort working out how to write the most suitable lead paragraph. The lead paragraph should include the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the story. Who - names the subject(s) of the story. The “who”, may refer to a person, an animal, a group, a building, an institution, a concept or anything which a story is about. What - is the action taking place. It tells the reader what the ‘who’ is doing. When - tells the time the action is happening. Where - is the place the action is happening. Why - explains the action in the lead. How - usually describes the manner in which action occurs. Example: December 3 2009 was a fun-filled day for the children who learn at Mafisa School, Mogoditshane, as the school honoured its top achievers of the year during its annual prize-giving ceremony. The “who” in the lead above are the children who learn at Mafisa School. What is happening? - annual prize-giving ceremony. When - December 3 2009, annual prize-giving ceremony Where - Mogoditshane. Why - honoured its top achievers of the year The lead sets the structure for the rest of the story. If the lead is good, the rest of the story comes together easily. Many reporters spend half their writing time on the lead alone. One guiding principle behind story organization is: the structure of the story can help the reader understand what the author is writing about. The structure should lead the reader from idea to idea simply and clearly. The object is to give readers information, and wow them with convoluted style. Explanation and Amplification After the lead paragraph comes the explanation and amplification, which deals with illuminating details. (Explanation – make facts of the article comprehensible or clear by describing the relevant circumstances. Amplification – it is the addition of extra material or illustration or details.) The author must choose details to include in this part of the article. Some details may not be as important as others so they should be presented in order of importance from most important to least. Background Information It is important that the ++writer of the article also provide background information about the story they are writing. This helps the reader to put the story or the subject of the story into perspective. For instance, when writing sports contest (e.g. the soccer world cup final), most journalists will always include information about these tournaments even though this information may be common knowledge. Direct and Indirect Quotes When, necessary writers must use direct or indirect quotes to enrich the article. Remember quotations should not be included just for the sake of using them. They should be relevant. Direct quotes can be used in the following situations: to answer the questions “why, how, who, or what?” if a source's language is particularly colourful or picturesque (The source is the person/persons from whom the writer gets most of his/her information) when it is important for written information -- especially official information –(which comes from authoritative voice. (For example when writing about a case of theft, the writer may get official information from the officer-in-charge of the police station handling the case) A direct quote repeats exactly what the interviewee said - word for word. If a person's exact words aren’t known, the writer will paraphrase, but will not change the meaning of a person's words. Remember when paraphrasing, quotation marks are not necessary but the person’s name must be included after the paraphrased sentence. Example MAFISA SCHOOL HONOURS ITS 2009 STARS By Mothuse Mothuse December 3 2009 was a fun-filled day for the children who learn at Mafisa School as the primary school honoured its top achievers of the year during its annual prize-giving ceremony. The event was well attended and this is testimony of the level of co-operation between the parents and the school. In her welcome remarks, the Principal Mrs. Hope Mojaji told the gathered parents that all children are important. She reminded the parents that the focus of the ceremony should not be on the prizes rather the ceremony was held to show parent that there is excellence at Mafisa School. She told the parents that the school had done its part in helping in the education of the 2009 learners but their success is credited to the great teacher Jesus Christ. Mrs. Mojaji thanked the parents for entrusting their children to Mafisa School, Mogoditshane. 2009 also marked success in the Standard 7 PSLE. Thirty-one learners registered for the examination, seven of them had been promoted from standard 5. The school attained a 100% pass rate. There were 22 “As” and 9 “Bs”. From the seven who were promoted to standard 7, five of them got “As” and two got “Bs”. The guest speaker, Pastor S. Modise urged parents explore the five tenets of excellence: Diligence, Focus, Concentration, Handwork and Integrity. He pointed out that excellence can be elusive if these elements are missing from children’s lives. He emphasized that there was need to adopt the attitude of an eagle: (Isiah 40:31). “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint...” Achievement of diligence, focus, concentration, hard work and integrity is possible if these tenets are coached from a young age. Pastor Modise added that the achievement of these goals can be quick if parents practiced these principles at home so children can emulate. Mafisa School has held successful annual prize-giving days for the past five years. Mafisa School Mogoditshane is enrolling Form 1 and 2 for 2010. Already there are twenty pioneering students at the secondary school. In 2010 automotive studies, driving and secretarial studies will be added to the secondary school curriculum. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Exercise Read the following news report and answer the questions which follow. MAPOSA SCHOOL HONOURS ITS 2009 STARS By Mothuse Mothuse December 1 2009 was graduation day for the little ones enrolled at Little Lambs Pre-school at Maposa School Mogoditshane. It was a very moving moment for those in attendance. Here were sweet little “tiny-tots” participating in their very first academic recognition ceremony. Mrs. Hope Mojaji., the principal, could not have said it any better: such events do not come twice nor can they be reversed so they are very important to the children because they mark the beginning of their academic journey. For most children the pre-school graduation sets the tone and character of future successes. The principal commended the parents for doing their part but reminded them not to forget to praise Jesus Christ. She said that while it is not easy to train minds but at Maposa Little Lambs Pre-school it was possible because of the help of the Heavenly Father. Mrs. Hope Mojaji emphasized those children who are grounded in preschool education usually are better-positioned and equipped to deal with life challenges as they grow up. The Guest Speaker Pastor S. Modise also equated pre-school graduation as a first giant step in a child’s life. The Pastor told the parents to help their children to remember the Creator, for it will help the children overcome life’s troubles. He said it is also important for parents to set a good example during this impressionable period of their lives. The Little Lambs Pre-school 2009 graduation at Maposa School was a colourful event. It was so moving that it was easy for one to reminisce about one’s own first giant step. Questions Identify the following parts of a news report a) the headline b) byline c) lead paragraph. Find the: who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the story. What information did the writer give as background information? Which quotation does the writer makes? Which aspects of the story does the quotation address? Is it the why, how, who, or what? Who provides the official information? .......………………………………………………………………………………………………….. News Reports Headlines A great headline communicates a full message to its intended readers. It must lure the reader into the body text. It can be difficult to understand newspaper headlines. The reason is newspaper headlines are often incomplete sentences (Axe Killer on the Loose). Headlines usually have the following characteristics: --uses the present tense - usually consist of a maximum of six words -use short words (usually no longer than two syllables) -uses the shortest synonyms (e.g. wed for married) -omits definite and indefinite articles (i.e. the and a) -contain sensational vocabulary (e.g. Horrific crash, tragic death) Examples Lost Child Appears - A lost child has appeared (after a long period of time). Residents Protest Power Cuts - Residents are protesting electricity power cuts. President to New School - The President is going to open a new school. Amantle Montsho to Visit Orphanage - (Botswana’s famous athlete) Amantle Montsho is going to visit a local orphanage next weekend. Family Killed in Air Crash - A family has been killed in an air craft crash. Karabo Sampson Crowned the Miss Bots - Karabo Sampson was crowned the Miss Botswana last night. President Visit South Africa - The president is visiting South Africa. Motorist Rescues Baby Elephant - A motorist rescued baby elephant along the A5 route. Exercise Write these headlines as full sentences. 1. Passerby Sees Woman Jump 2.Forgotten Brother Appears 3. Man Killed in Accident 4. Minister to Visit Flood Victims 5. Overwhelming Response to Census 6. Botswana Celebrates Zebra’s Win 7. First Man on Mars 8. Hot Weather Ahead ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3.PRACTICE EXERCISES 1. A local sports team has entered a competition. Write a report about this event. Use the guidelines below. Remember to provide a suitable headline. Who is the team? Who is the coach? Who are the prominent players? Who are the supporters? What sport do they play? What is the competition? Where is the competition? Where the team is normally based? When is the competition? How long have they been preparing? Are there any other important time factors? Why are they entering this particular competition? How are they going to enter the competition? Do they need to fundraise? How much training and preparation is required? What will they need to do to win? 2. Use the following lead paragraph to write a news report. Remember to formulate a suitable headline. The continent’s strongest man Daniel Moabi wasn't content just to heave a 35-tonne haulage truck yesterday. The former junior secondary school Physical Education teacher stunned spectators at Bobonong Spring Consumer Show by then dragging an even heavier 50-tonne truck for 5m in 10sec. Moabi wishes to set a new record in Africa. 3. At the recent launch of the new power-saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) project the director of Botswana Power Corporation called on consumer to save power. Using the ideas below, write a report of the event. -electricity conservation is very important in present times. -clothes iron -buying efficient electric appliances -refrigerators and freezers -clothes washing machines and clothes dryers -the stove -computers -cut off “standby” losses -geyser -consumer attitude to power-saving -air-conditioning -other energy guzzlers 4. Read and complete the news report below 16 YEAR OLD BOY RAN OVER BY TRUCK A sixteen-year-old boy was run over by a haulage truck on the Tlokweng-Zeerust Road yesterday around 11 last night. The accident victim has been positively identified as Thabo Mokoena. Thabo was carrying IDs; one belonged to his twenty-two year old brother. Police investigations showed that Thabo had had a lot of alcohol before the accident and had a fake moustache. The Officer-in-Charge at Tlokweng Police Station warned the youth against drinking alcohol. 5. You recently invited by Letsatsi farm management to experience their boot camp. Using the information on their brochure, write a news article about their boot camp. Letsatsi farm is located in an environment which has a mixture of savanna trees, bush and grassland. These superb surroundings are well watered by an all season stream that runs across the farm. There is a lot bird life and small game too. Such peaceful natural surroundings offer you and your children a gem of opportunity to experience peace, far from, ‘the madding crowd’. This is the place where there is neither smoke nor smog. Our special farm life experience will see your beloved children emerge from our three-week Boot camp healthier, trimmer, re-vitalized and re-energized. Letsatsi Boot Camp holiday on a real farm will offer your children opportunity to do the following: -try a hand at being a livestock farm hand -participate in food preparation activities -keep fit in our jungle gym -small game hunting-go logging -swimming -ride horses -play ball games -cycling -hiking -go camping -bird watching -go fishing -quad biking ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4.CONCLUSION A news report includes the who, what, when, where, why and how. A typical newspaper article contains five (5) parts: Headline, Byline, Lead paragraph, Explanation and Additional Information. However, for examination purposes candidates need to analyse the key parts of the question so as to answer the question satisfactorily. NB. Consult your teacher/tutor for more advice. …ends/bs
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