NIE: Newspapers in Education Links
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Dee Ann Hill
Education & Computer Connection
817-763-8766
P.O. Box 151314
Fort Worth, TX 76108
dee76020@sbcglobal.net
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- NIE: Newspapers in Education
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How to Write a Newspaper Article
The inverted pyramid satisfies readers curiosity logically.
Stories written in the inverted pyramid form have several advantages, both for the reader and for the editor. Because they are written with the most important information at the top of the story, the reader gets the main facts early, and can decide whether or not he/she wants to continue reading. Because the story is written with the main information at the top, and is organized into short paragraphs, the editor can cut it after any paragraph, and it will still make sense.
Summary Lead
(most important of the 5 Ws and H)
Additional information supporting
The lead, alternating quotes
and transitional material
Writing a Lead
Lead:
The opening paragraph(s) of a story. Does the first word or phrase tell the most important idea in the story?
Does the lead begin with specific, interest-arousing words?
Is the WHO told, with the full name and a descriptive title or phrase included?
Is the WHAT and WHAT HAPPENED up to date?
Are the WHEN and WHERE answered in the lead?
Are the HOW and WHY given a prominent place in the lead, if appropriate?
If the lead is 30 words or more, has it been broken into two sentences or paragraphs for easier reading?
Does the lead catch the spirit of the story? Does it create the proper tone, such as serious or light?
Is the lead free from spelling, style and grammar errors?
Are all names spelled correctly?
Summarizing News Articles
Name____________________ Date________
Class_______ Period___
Assignment
1. Skim three or four news stories in the newspaper.
2. Select an article you find interesting.
3. Log on to the newspaper's website. Add the URL and date accessed if you chose this option.
4. Write the:
Name of Article____________________________ Author___________________________________ Publication___________________________ Date____________ URL ________________________
Date Accessed______________
4. Using the tips below to summarize the article.
5. When you have finished, proofread carefully.
6. Remember to turn your work in on time.
Tips for Writing a Summary
How long should it be?
The length of your summary determines how much detail you will include. Often summaries are 1/3 to 1/4 the length of the original piece. Ask your teacher how long the summary should be for this assignment.
What's an easy way to summarize?
1. Skim the entire article.
2. Starting back at the first paragraph, read one paragraph. Then, in your mind, complete the following sentence: This paragraph was about ________(topic) and____________________________ (general idea discussed about the topic).
.3. Next write a sentence presenting this information without using the words, This paragraph was about...
4 .Next, add a sentence or two about the most important details in the paragraph. The number of details you include depends on the length your summary is to be.
5. Do the same for each of the remaining paragraphs.
For students with visual learning styles:
Trace your hand on a piece of paper. Print the following word (s) on each finger:
Thumb: Who?-------------------------------------------------------------
Index finger: Finally (after all the reading) does What?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Middle finger: Where-----------------------------------------
Next finger: When?--------------------------------------------
Little finger: Why? (because)-----------------------------------
Now, look at the information on your "Hand Plan" and write a complex sentence, using only the information on your hand print. Finally, you've got the main idea of the reading passage and the summary. Use this plan everytime you are asked to summarize or find the main