Writing a News Report
Planning
Step 1: Read the picture and headline provided and decide on an
event that you can write about.
Step 2: Make a list of questions (who, what, where, when, why, and
how) and brainstorm a
series of answers.
Writing
Step 3: Write the first paragraph answering the 5 Ws and H using the details you brainstormed.
Step 4: Write the second paragraph. It must expand on the 5Ws and H to provide more
details about the news. It must also include one eyewitness account that
appears in “quotation” marks. A lot of times, this paragraph expands on the
what, why, and how details from paragraph one.
Step 5: Write the conclusion (paragraph 3). It should contain additional
information about the headline that could be cut if need be. It could
provide extra details about future plans, damage costs, medical results, etc.
Review
Step 6: Read your report over and make any corrections needed.
Writing Tips
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Always write in the third person (he, she, it, they).
Do not state your own opinion (don’t use the word “I”).
Do not refer to the news reporter in the event. This is not a TV report. Avoid phrases
like “We are standing here with Mary Maloney . . .”
The headline is an important clue to what happened. Rephrase it in your opening
paragraph.
Do not tell a story. News reports start with the end, then normally jump to how the event
started.