How to Write Newspaper Articles & Cite References

You've collected your references, you've done your interviews and now you're ready to write. Putting your article on paper is easy enough, but making it readable can be a little tricky. However once you learn a few tips of the trade, your article will be ready for the front page.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Word processer

1. Create an introductory sentence (or "lead") that gives the basic idea of the article.

2. Spend the next few sentences fleshing out the lead. Remember that you have to answer the following questions:
   What happened?
   Who was involved?
   Where did it happen?
   When did it happen?
   Why did it happen (if possible)?
   How did it happen?

3. Be fair, impartial and to-the-point when writing your article. Look over your references and interview notes and find a way to relate those ideas to the public in a neutral way. Make sure you find sources that can tell both sides of the story.

4. Put the most important information at the beginning of the article, then place the additional information in order of descending relevance. This is commonly referred to as the inverted pyramid format.

5. Write about the past, present and future of the article's subject. Think about what lead up to the subject, what took place during the subject and, if appropriate, what comes next for the subject.

6. Include at least three quotations from your interview contacts. These can be used to add a personal touch to your article and to give the reader some insight from someone who has affected by the subject. Do not use quotes that could be written without quotations with little impact.

7. Cite your interview references in the article by giving the person's full name and their occupation or relationship to the article's subject. This can done either after a quotation or as an introduction. If you're citing a journal, essay or book, use the introductory manner and then give the publishing and background information.
   "It was a one-of-a-kind opportunity," Joe Smith, event coordinator, said.
   The essay "Air Pollution" by Jim Edwards, states methane levels have risen 20 percent since 1999.
   The essay, published in "The Science Journal" by Duke University Press, is based on the latest findings in the field.

8. Write a suggested headline that summarizes what the article is about. Many publications have editors who write the headlines, but a suggestion is always welcome.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to follow your newspaper's in-house style guidelines when writing your articles. Most newspaper offices follow the Associated Press Style Guide, while others have their own unique guide. Read over your articles before you send them in to your editor to avoid any careless mistakes.
• Respect the privacy of victims and the police (if you are doing a crime-related article). As a reporter you do have the freedom of press, but you also have ethics. Obey the word-count rule of your publisher. You don't want to either go too low under or too far over the limit and have to deal with spacial issues. Make all your deadlines.

Resources

• Excercises in Grammar, Usage and Associated Press Style

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