How to Write a Game Story for a Newspaper

Writing a sports story in a newspaper can be exciting. Because of the timeliness involved in reporting a game, you can also be under a tight deadline. The best sports writers stay on top of their game in order to produce exciting and informative pieces.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Write about the topic of sports often by starting and maintaining a sports blog. Blogs are tauted as one of the best ways to continue being a strong writer because they require knowledge of a specific subject, and they demand writing that is skilled and interesting enough to keep readers coming back. Whether you keep a blog that is about sports topics in general, or about a specific sport or athlete, your vocabulary, tone and skill will be enhanced, making you an even better writer when you write your game story.
2. Know the hard facts. The details and statistics surrounding a game are of utmost importance prior to writing your story. If you are able to attend the event you'll be reporting on, do it. If that isn't possible, you'll have to rely on statistics, others' reports and interviews.
3. Know who to go to. Know who your best resources are in capturing this story in words. Know how to reach the team's key players and coaches in addition to team owners, if there are any. From experience, and your own reading, know who gives great interviews, and where you can get excellent quotes.
4. Know the fans. Understand what each team is known for, and what each respective set of fans holds dear.
5. Use exciting language. When reporting a game, you're essentially telling a story. You want the reader to feel they've truly experienced what that game was like through your choice of words and punctuation. Make them feel the ups and downs, the unexpected moments, the let-downs and rewards just as if they saw if for themselves.
6. Get accurate, noteworthy quotes. Some people are uncomfortable giving quotes, making their words too edited and censored to still be usable. Repeat a quote to someone you're interviewing to make sure you got it right, and to let them know you'll likely publish it.
7. Write the story once all information is collected, and present it to your editor.

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