1. How to Write a Good
Newspaper Article
By Shorina Ann
Chuvash State University

2. To whom it may concern


4. Instructions
Write a strong lead. The first
paragraph of the article is also called
the lead. This paragraph - usually one
or two sentences - must be a brief
summary of the main purpose of the
article, which answers the basic
questions of "who, what, when, where,
how and why.“

5. Number 2
Write the newspaper article in the
inverted pyramid format. This means the
most important, most vital facts should
be mentioned first, with the less
important facts mentioned later in the
article. The first paragraph must be more
important than the second, and the
second paragraph more important than
the third and so on.

6. Number 3
Read over the article body and where
necessary, provide support for all claims
and arguments need attribution. If you're
making an assertion in the article, this
must be attributed to someone. Ask
yourself, "According to who?" If
information in an article cannot be
attributed to a reliable, appropriate
source, it's not suitable for publication.
This will avoid the publication of
erroneous claims, rumors and hearsay.

7. Number 4
Write a conclusion to re-summarize the
most important facts of the article. When
writing about a series of events,
newspaper article conclusion will also
usually provide information on the next
step in the process.
The conclusion should also include
information on where to obtain more
information, such as a website or phone
number - these should be the very last
things in an article, making them easy for
the reader to find and refer back to.

8. Tips & Warnings
When writing about an event,
chronological order is vital and it's
usually a form of the inverted pyramid.
But if the most important part of the
story occurs later in the series of
events, be sure to mention this
important fact early on in the article, in
the first, second or third paragraph.

9. Journalism and economy go
together?
Use word economy. If you can say it
in five words instead of ten, then five
words is all you need.

10. Keep it simple
No big words! Newspapers are written
for a twelve-year-old's reading level, in
order to accommodate readers of all
backgrounds and abilities. Big, fancy
wording is fine for academic writing or
novels, but in newspapers, big, fancy
words only confuse readers.

11. Everytime is the first time
Provide background information.
When writing about the latest in a
series of events, do not assume
precursory knowledge. Assume the
reader is picking up the newspaper for
the very first time, with no prior
knowledge about a situation.

12. Spell it out
Write for the layman. If a newspaper
article discusses things that are not
considered to be common knowledge,
background information must be
provided. When in doubt, spell it out
for people.

13. Grammar importance
Always look up words that you're
unsure how to spell. A newspaper
article full of spelling errors has little
credibility.

14. Make everything clear
Always present both sides of an
argument, even if it's just in passing.
It's vital that the opposite point of view
is represented, or readers may
mistakenly believe the primary view
that's discussed is the only view.

15. Keep track of the most important
things
When wondering what facts to write
about next when writing a newspaper
in pyramid format, ask, "What's the
most important fact that I've yet to
address?" This will give a newspaper
article greater direction.

16. Is that relevant?
When using quotations, be sure to
capture the speaker's or writer's
intention. Do not misrepresent a point
of view by using quotations out of
context or in a manner that the
speaker did not intend.

17. Get your quotes correct! If your
quotes are wrong, you're going to hear
about it and this is very damaging to a
journalist's credibility within the
community. Use a tape recorder, if
necessary. And if you're unsure about
the wording of a quote, don't use it.

18. Do you know what libel is? Do you
know what constitutes libel? If not, you
should! Anyone who writes a
newspaper article must understand
what is libelous. Libel can land you in
court or in the unemployment office
(for professional journalists), so learn
about libel before writing a newspaper
article.

19. What is Libel?
Libel, simply stated, is harm to an
individual’s reputation, either on a
personal or professional level.
Therefore, words, pictures,
advertisements or cartoons that cause
a person to be subject to public
hatred, shame or ridicule are
considered libelous.

20. Libel is a concept that
each and every
journalist should
understand. Just one
allegation of libel can
ruin a writer's career,
resulting in that
individual being
"blacklisted" by editors
and publishers alike,
as a reporter who is
convicted of libel is
typically viewed as a
liability to a
publication, website or
news organization.

21. Notably, libel is often
confused with slander.
It's important to
understand the
difference between
slander and libel;
slander is spoken and
therefore applies to
broadcasting and
public speaking, while
libel is written and
affects writers.

22. Where is Libel Found?
According to The An example of this
Associated Press would involve a
Stylebook and Libel reporter writing a story
Manual, the vast that implied that two
majority of libel cases co-defendants in a
are the result of a court case were facing
published allegation of the exact same
crime, incompetence charges, when in
or immorality. And the actuality, one was
majority of these facing a charge of first-
cases can be linked to degree murder, while
the usage of the other was charged
erroneous, vague or with second-degree
inexact language. murder.

23. Libel cases can also
be rooted in the
implications that are
made in a story.
Omitting a person’s
name, for example,
is not sufficient if the
additional details
provided clearly
identify the
individual.

24. While the majority of libel Journalists must also
cases result from published
reports of scandals and crimes, realize that accurately
journalists must also realize that reporting a libelous claim
libel can arise from some very
unexpected places. In his does not give them
book My Life and the immunity to a libel suit.
Times, Turner Catledge, According to the
longtime managing editor for
The New York Times, recalls Associated Press (AP),
instances where pranksters had “Accurate reporting will
submitted fictitious engagement
announcements that said sworn not prevent libel if there
enemies had planned to wed. is no privilege, either the
This illustrates how important it
is for the conscientious constitutional privilege or
journalist to verify even the the fair report privilege.”
seemingly benign claim.

25. Absolute Privilege, Qualified Privilege and Avoiding Libel
A journalist’s best defense Absolute privilege can be
in a civil libel case proof called upon as a defense
that the statement in when citing information from
question is “provably true,” an official source, such as
according to the AP. court documents, police
“Quoting someone correctly reports and other documents
is not enough. The that are considered public
important thing is to be able record. It’s important to note
to satisfy a jury that the that what falls under the
libelous statement is category of “official” varies
substantially correct.” The from state to state, therefore it
journalist can then call is vital that a journalist be
upon privilege, which falls familiar with the laws within
into two categories: their particular jurisdiction if
absolute or qualified. they are to successfully avoid
libel.
Journalists must also realize that accurately reporting a libelous claim does not give them
immunity to a libel suit. According to the Associated Press (AP), “Accurate reporting will
not prevent libel if there is no privilege, either the constitutional privilege or the fair report
privilege.”

26. Absolute privilege Qualified privilege
 Absolute privilege is rooted  Qualified privilege serves as a
in the belief that a libelous defense when defamatory
statements are made without
statement may, in some ill will or malice. Qualified
cases, be published or privilege applies to cases
broadcast in the interest of when the written statement is
the public’s greater good. published as part of an
individual’s social,
Therefore, a journalist can professional or moral duty.
publish remarks made This is often the defense of a
outside the arena of an reporter who is accused of
official proceeding if they libel while covering a trial, as
can prove that publishing reporting testimony and
statements made during the
the statement plays to the proceedings is part of the
interest of the public. reporter’s professional duty.

27. In the case of editorial or opinion
pieces, one is exempted from
libel under the fair comment
defense. The only stipulation is
that one must clearly indicate
that the statements are opinion,
not fact.
A defense based on privilege or fair comment will be
rendered useless if malice is involved. In cases where it
can be proved that a journalist published a piece with
malice aforethought and with the sole intent of harming an
individual, then that party will be held responsible for libel.

28. A Good Article is Easy to Read
and Has a Logical Flow
 The paragraphs in your articles should
be no more than 2 or 3 sentences, I’d
say 4 at the very most. This makes the
information easier for the reader to
understand and digest. A paragraph with
too many sentences is a lot to read on
one idea and you’re likely to lose your
readers attention.
 The first paragraph should give a good
summary of what the article is about. It
should be written to entice your reader to
keep on reading.

29. Your ideas should flow logically.
Skipping around from idea to idea and
making repeat statements makes it
hard for your reader to follow along.
The last paragraph should conclude
or sum up the main points of your
article. This is where you can highlight
the ideas that you want your readers
to remember.

30. Use Bullet Points in Your Article
Readers are often scanners, that
means they pick out only the ideas
that catch their eye, so make it easy
for them to get those ideas quickly by
using bullet points.
Bullet points will break up the look of
the article and help readers digest
information faster by helping them pull
out only the points they are most
interested in.

31. A Good Article Writer Knows
Their Audience
Have a clear picture in your mind of your
reader. What emotions, concerns and
struggles will someone reading your article
have?
If you’re writing an article about
homeschooling for example, your reader will
probably be a stay at home mom. So what
would the wants, desires and concerns be of
a mom that home schools her kids
be? They’ll probably be somewhat different
than for the stay at home mom who sends
her kids off to school every day.
Know what those concerns and cares are
and address them when writing your article.

32. THE END