How to write a journalistic news into your story?

drawn by: Nili DooL

Whether it's a radio report, a news article or a TV report, here are some tips and tricks on how to write them into your storyline. This is coming from a student of media and journalism.

1. Not answering all W5 + H questions. (Who, What, When, Where, Why & How)

In journalism, especially during your studies or training, you're often taught to always answer the six fundamental questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. However, in real-world reporting. especially during live coverage or breaking news - journalists don't always have access to all of this information immediately.

Typically, "Who," "What," and "When" are the easiest and quickest to answer, since they usually emerge as the news breaks. On the other hand, "Why" and "How" often require more investigation and time, and may not be addressed until later reports.

To avoid confusing or frustrating the audience, it's good practice to answer as many of these questions as possible concisely, even if just in one or two sentences. Providing a basic framework of information helps maintain clarity. If your story demands all these questions to be answered, that's fine as well. Answering them quickly in the news report is one way to not make it too overwhelming for your reader.

If you're writing for a print newspaper or a more in-depth journalistic outlet, you are expected to provide comprehensive answers to all six questions. These pieces allow for more research and editing time, enabling a deeper and fuller context for the reader. 

2. Different media, slightly different way of reporting

Keep in mind, news reports on TV are usually short, sweet and to the point. It's important to practice timing for the television. Especially for live broadcasting. It's usually a short intro before showing a clip or introducing a guest in the room. Of course, watch news reports to get more info on them.

Reporters who work on foot and espeically for television can usually think on their feet and come up with at least three questions, if not additional questions for the person they're questioning.

Then, radio reports, the most important information is said first and it's usually said at the beginning and then repeated at the end of the segment. This is just in case someone has just started listening to the program and got interested. 

Newspapers follow a slightly different formula. Still, important information is written at the front and in the beginning. Sometimes, not all the time, but at times, journalists will write in reverse pyramid.

 This is where the most important information is presented first, and the least important information is written at the end, so the editor can simply edit out that part for the newspaper article. For some bigger news articles, this isn't always followed, but it's a common way for a media house to manage the most important and shorter articles.

2. Interviews...

There are many different types of interviews in journalism, ranging from hard-hitting political interrogations to light-hearted celebrity features. Reporters may interview anyone involved or affected by the news event, from everyday witnesses to influential public figures, or even criminals and controversial politicians.

When planning or writing your interview, be sure to align the tone and content with the purpose and context of the story. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What kind of interview is this? (Informational, emotional, confrontational, promotional?)

• What is the journalist trying to uncover or highlight?

• How will the interview contribute to the overall narrative or understanding of the story?

Keep your questions purposeful and your subject relevant to the audience’s expectations.

What I learnt in my years as a student was that interviews aren't meant to learn something new about the person. Instead, their main purpose is often to capture a person’s thoughts, reactions, and perspectives on specific events, experiences, or issues. The goal is to document their voice in relation to a particular context.

Another important point, something my professors emphasised, is that interviewers should never ask the interviewee to introduce themselves. It’s the interviewer’s responsibility to already know who they are speaking to and to introduce that person to the audience. This shows professionalism and preparation, and it sets the tone for a respectful and well-conducted interview.

3. Difference between speakers and journalists

It’s important to distinguish between journalists and news presenters (or anchors/reporters). While they often appear together in broadcast media, not all presenters are trained journalists.

• News presenters are typically selected for their speaking ability, appearance, and presence on camera. Their job is to deliver the news clearly and professionally.

• Journalists, on the other hand, are trained in investigating, writing, fact-checking, and ethical reporting. They may work behind the scenes or also appear on camera, but their main role is gathering and crafting the news.

For example, there was one show on television, mind you, it wasn't a news show, but it had a famous actress as a news presenter (by famous, I mean within my own country). She worked extremely well on camera and was doing an excellent job. This distinction is important when writing or evaluating media work: don't assume that every face you see on TV is also the one who researched or wrote the story. 

Keep that in mind while writing. 

4. "What is news?"

A slightly disturbing fun fact to leave you with. This was something often quoted by one of my professors. Sometimes it's hard to always put into words what is and isn't newsworthy (outside of important political information of course.) My professor was emphasising the point of what even is news. She'd explain to us, "The news isn't when a dog bites a little girl, the news is when a girl bites a dog".  

This is an often-quoted journalistic idiom. This is the version I was told. There's also "man bites dog", "dog shoots a man" (lovely revenge) and "man bites snake".

by: Nili DooL