How to Write Good Sports Journalism

The world of sports journalism is full of plenty of opportunities if you have a way with words. But covering sports in the journalism profession isn't necessarily about the sports. It's about telling a story to the audience through reporting and writing. Great sports journalists know how to lead the audience into wanting more when they write. They tease with a great hook, pulling in the reader.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Be prepared when recording facts for your sports story or article. Carry a notebook and pen or an electronic device when interviewing an athlete. This can prevent misquotes from happening and can ensure accuracy.
2. Figure out what your audience doesn't already know. This is the reason why people should pick up the newspaper. People rarely care enough to read more about information they already know.
3. Tease the audience when preparing your sports story or article. You want people to be entranced enough to find out what you have to say. If you watch teasers for sports on television, you can see examples of this during the broadcast. Try not to provide all the information, but just enough that the audience wants to find out more.
4. Talk with people in charge of photos and ask them to run a picture with your story. It helps to put a face with the name or event you're covering.
5. Make sure you record the five W's in reporting: who, what, when, where and why. You should learn this in journalism classes. It's best to open with the most vital information.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to start at the very bottom and work your way up the ladder when starting out to write sports journalism. Don't let that deter you.

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