Objective of the Chapter
To help learners understand the fundamentals of writing news articles for web publication. This includes structure, tone, formatting, and ethical considerations necessary to produce accurate, engaging, and timely news content.
Table of Contents
6.1 What is News Writing?
News writing is the process of presenting factual information about recent events, discoveries, or updates in a clear, concise, and objective manner. It is a core function of journalism and also widely used in blog posts, press releases, and news portals.
6.2 Key Characteristics of News Writing
1. Objectivity
News must be factual and neutral—free from personal bias or opinions.
2. Accuracy
All data, quotes, and names should be verified for correctness.
3. Timeliness
News loses value with time. It must be published as close to the event as possible.
4. Clarity and Brevity
Sentences should be short and to the point. Avoid jargon and complex language.
5. Inverted Pyramid Structure
Present the most important information at the top, followed by supporting details, then background or additional information.
6.3 The Inverted Pyramid Explained
The inverted pyramid is a standard structure for news articles.
Structure:
- Lead (What happened, when, where, who)
- Details (How and why it happened)
- Background info (Context, history)
- Additional quotes or reactions
Example:
A fire broke out in a residential building in Mumbai’s Andheri area on Tuesday evening, injuring five people. [Lead]
According to fire officials, the blaze started due to a short circuit and spread quickly to the third floor. [Details]
The building, constructed in 2002, had no functioning fire extinguishers, say residents. [Background]
Local MLA responded, calling for an immediate inspection of nearby buildings. [Reactions]
6.4 Writing an Effective News Lead
The lead is the opening paragraph that answers the key questions:
- Who?
- What?
- When?
- Where?
- Why?
- How?
Example:
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Startup Summit in New Delhi on Monday, highlighting the government’s commitment to innovation and youth entrepreneurship.”
6.5 Types of News Leads
1. Summary Lead (standard for most news)
- Gives a quick overview
2. Anecdotal Lead
- Starts with a small story or incident, then transitions into the news
3. Question Lead
- Starts with a compelling question to grab attention
4. Quote Lead
- Begins with a strong quote relevant to the news
6.6 Headline Writing for News Articles
Best Practices:
- Keep it under 60 characters
- Use active voice
- Include the main keyword or subject
- Avoid clickbait or exaggerated terms
Example Headlines:
- “Heavy Rain Disrupts Mumbai Traffic”
- “Budget 2025 Announced: Key Highlights”
- “ISRO Launches New Satellite for Climate Monitoring”
6.7 Structuring the News Body
Elements:
- Subheadings (if long article)
- Short paragraphs (1–3 sentences)
- Facts first, quotes later
- No personal opinion
Tip:
Use a chronological order only when covering event timelines (e.g., protest or speech coverage).
6.8 Incorporating Quotes and Sources
Types of Sources:
- Eyewitnesses
- Officials or authorities
- News agencies (e.g., ANI, PTI)
- Government statements
Quote Integration:
“The situation is under control,” said Fire Chief Ramesh Iyer.
Always attribute quotes properly and use quotation marks.
6.9 Ethical Guidelines in News Writing
Key Principles:
- Fact-check before publishing
- Respect privacy and sensitive topics
- Correct errors when identified
- Do not plagiarize
Follow journalistic codes like those from the Press Council of India or Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
6.10 Multimedia in News Writing
Adding visuals improves engagement and clarity.
Elements:
- Photos or screenshots (with captions)
- Video clips or reels
- Infographics or charts
Always credit the media source or use royalty-free visuals.
6.11 SEO in News Articles
Key Techniques:
- Use the primary keyword in the headline and lead paragraph
- Add a meta title and description
- Use short, descriptive URLs
- Internal link to related news articles
- Use relevant image alt texts
6.12 Summary and Key Takeaways
- News writing is factual, clear, and structured using the inverted pyramid style
- A strong lead sets the tone
- Headlines should be concise and informative
- Ethical accuracy and timely publishing are crucial
- Adding SEO and multimedia enhances reach and engagement
Exercise for Learners
- Write a news lead for this event:
“India wins ICC Cricket World Cup 2025 final against Australia at Wankhede Stadium.”
- Convert this narrative into the inverted pyramid format:
“A massive fire erupted in a Delhi garment factory. It took fire crews four hours to control. Fifteen workers were rescued, and two were hospitalized.”
- Create a headline and meta description for this article:
“New policy announced by the Health Ministry to provide free telemedicine services to rural areas.”
In the next chapter, we will focus on Chapter 7: Devotional Writing Techniques, including cultural sensitivity, scriptural references, tone, and structure for writing high-quality spiritual content.