How to Write a Hard News Story
Hard news stories are usually front page news documenting the most current events. Writing a hard news story is different than writing a fiction piece or feature story. Hard news writing requires an eye for accuracy and details. Adherence to style and concise writing is necessary for hard news.
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Instructions
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Gather the information you need for your story. Hard news stories are generally about spot news events like a natural (or human-caused) disaster, reports on government entities or crime and court reporting. Interview as many people as you can, including officials, such law enforcement officers. Take down direct quotes from people as you interview them; every good news story has direct quotes. It is a good practice to come back to your computer with more information than you need to write the story.
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Organize your notes. Hard news stories require you to answer as many of these questions as possible: who, what, when, where, why and how? What happened? Who did it happen to (or who did it)? When was is it? Where was it? Why and how did the event take place?
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Use the inverted pyramid method to begin your story. This method asks you to put the most important information first and work down. Start with the basics and add the details later. Most hard news stories are written so they can be cut from the bottom if an editor needs to cut for length and space constraints.
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Include only information you can verify. Report the information you have. If something is not clear, say so. For example, "Officials have not determined the cause of the fire."
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Include quotations from your sources by putting them in quotation marks throughout the story. Add quotes that enhance the piece and give the reader a sense of the person/event you are writing about.
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Read your first draft aloud, or print it out and go through it away from your desk. If you have time, close the document and take a break before you edit your draft. When you come back, edit for wordiness, clarity and adherence to your newspaper's style.
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Tips & Warnings
Most news organization follow AP style for writing. Get yourself a copy of the AP Stylebook at any major bookstore or online before you begin writing news stories. Keep the book with you when you write.
If you have questions, consult your editor. It's better to ask questions early on in the process than later.
Do not make things up as you go along.
Avoid using quotes that provide general information you can paraphrase yourself.
