News is any information about recent events or developments that is of interest to the public.
It
encompasses a wide range of topics, from politics and economics to science and entertainment. The
purpose of news is to inform, educate, and sometimes entertain the audience about what is happening
in the world around them.
Straight News (also known as hard news) refers specifically to a style of journalism that focuses on
delivering factual and timely information about events in a straightforward manner. Straight news
articles are characterized by their objective, clear, and concise presentation of facts.
Example of Straight News:
Headline: Local School Board Approves New Budget for 2024
Lead Paragraph: The Springfield School Board approved a new budget of $50 million for the 2024 fiscal
year in a meeting held on Tuesday evening. The budget allocates funds for increased teacher salaries,
new technology, and facility upgrades.
Body:
The budget was approved by a 7-2 vote.
Superintendent Jane Doe stated that the new budget aims to improve educational resources and
support staff.
The plan includes $10 million for upgrading classroom technology and $5 million for renovations at
Springfield High School.
Critics argue that the budget does not address issues related to overcrowded classrooms.
In summary, while "news" covers a broad range of topics and formats, "straight news" refers specifically
to a style of reporting that prioritizes clarity, factual accuracy, and straightforward presentation.
Kinds of Lead
- Conventional or Summary Lead
- Grammatical Beginning Lead
A. Conventional or Summary Lead – This kind of lead is used in straight news, it answers right away
all or any of the five W’s and 1 H, and it may be one of the following:
1. WHO lead – Used when the person involved is more prominent than what he does and what
had happened to him.
Ex. President Bongbong Marcos delivers his SONA amidst POGO issues
2. WHAT lead – Used when the event or what took place is more important than the person
involved in the story.
Ex. The NSAT will be given Nov. 24 to all graduating High School students desiring to enroll in
four-year college course.
3. WHERE Lead – Used when the place is unique and no prominent person is involved in the
story
Ex. The Philippines will be the venue of the next Miss Universe pageant.
4. WHEN lead – Rarely used as the reader presumes the story to be timely. However, this lead
is useful when speaking of deadlines, holiday, and important dates.
Ex. Today, almost to the hour, Revolutionary Government was proclaimed by former
President Joseph Estrada.
5. WHY lead – used when the reason is more prominent or unique than what had happened.
Ex. Because of poverty, around a hundred students dropped out from school last year. This
was learned from PNU president Nilo R. Rosas.
6. HOW lead – Used when the way, manner, mode, means, or method of achieving the story is
unnatural.
Ex. By appealing to the school board, the Tagaytay Science High School was able to construct
a three-story concrete building.
B. Grammatical Beginning Lead
There are times when the lead is introduced by a kind of grammatical form which is usually a
phrase or a clause used to emphasize a feature. Here, the important W’s are found in the main
clause, not in the introductory or subordinate clause which is a modifying feature.
1. Prepositional Phrase lead – It is introduced by a prepositional phrase
Ex. With brooms and other cleaning equipment, boy scouts from St. Jude Parish School
cleaned the school community in consonance with Mayor Gemma Lubigan’s “Bagong Trece,
Bagong Bihis na Siyudad Program.”
2. Infinitive Phrase lead – It begins with the sign of the infinitive “TO” plus the main verb.
Ex. To encourage tourism, balikbayans are given a warm welcome by their fellow Filipinos.
3. Participial Phrase lead – It is introduced by the present or past participle of the verb.
Ex. Hoping to be the champions in the bracket, the SJPS Volleyballl-Girls team for junior high
school honed up for the DICES Sports for Peace.
4. Clause lead – The lead begins with a clause, which may either be independent or
subordinate.
Ex. Because October 28 is the Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus, all lessons dealt with the life of the
Patron Saint of Hopeless cases.
Key aspects of news include:
Timeliness: News is about current or recent events, providing the latest updates on what is
happening in the world.
Relevance: It covers topics that are of significant interest or importance to the public. This
can include major events, changes in policy, significant discoveries, or human interest
stories.
Accuracy: Reliable news is based on verified facts and accurate reporting. Journalists and
news organizations strive to present information truthfully and without bias.
Objectivity: While complete objectivity is challenging, reputable news sources aim to
provide balanced perspectives, presenting multiple sides of a story.
Format: News can be presented in various formats including written articles, broadcasts,
interviews, or digital content. It can also be categorized into different types such as breaking
news, feature stories, investigative reports, and editorials.
Impact: News often influences public opinion, informs decision-making, and can drive social
or political change.
Additional Tips for Writing a News Article
1. Clarity and Structure:
Lead with the Most Important Information: Ensure your lead (the first paragraph) answers the key
questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. This helps grab the reader's attention and provides a
summary of the article's main points.
Organize Information Logically: Arrange your article in a logical sequence, starting with the most
significant details and progressing to supporting information.
2. Language and Style:
Use Clear and Simple Language: Avoid overly technical language or jargon that may confuse readers.
Be Objective: Present facts objectively without inserting personal opinions or biases.
Write in Third Person: Use third-person perspective (he, she, they) rather than first-person (I, we) in
news articles.
3. Quotes and Attribution:
Include Direct Quotes: Incorporate quotes from relevant sources to provide additional perspectives and
credibility to your article.
Attribute Quotes Properly: Clearly attribute quotes to their sources (e.g., "According to Mayor Smith,
'...'")
Verify Accuracy: Ensure that quotes are accurate and reflect the context in which they were made.
4. Fact-Checking and Accuracy:
Verify Information: Double-check facts and figures to ensure accuracy. Cross-reference information from
multiple sources when possible.
Avoid Speculation: Stick to verified information and avoid speculation or assumptions.
5. Editing and Revision:
Revise for Clarity and Flow: Review your article for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of information.
Check Grammar and Spelling: Proofread your article for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Consider Peer Review: If possible, ask a peer or classmate to review your article for feedback on clarity
and effectiveness.
6. Formatting and Presentation:
Follow Formatting Guidelines: Ensure your article meets any specific formatting requirements provided
by your teacher or publication.
Include Headline and Byline: Create a catchy and informative headline that captures the essence of your
article. Include your name and date at the top of the article as the byline.
7. Conclusion:
Summarize Effectively: Conclude your article by summarizing the main points and providing closure to
the topic.
Consider Future Implications: Optionally, discuss any future implications or developments related to the
topic.
8. Ethics in Journalism:
Cite Sources Ethically: Provide proper attribution to sources and avoid plagiarism.
Respect Privacy: Respect individuals' privacy and avoid publishing sensitive personal information
without consent.
Writing a news article requires attention to detail, adherence to journalistic standards, and effective
communication skills. By following these tips and guidelines, you can create a compelling and
informative news article that informs and engages your audience.
1. WHAT lead
Which of the following sentences is an example of a WHAT lead?
a) "Elon Musk introduces a new electric vehicle model at the Tesla event."
b) "The city of Tokyo will host the 2025 Summer Olympics."
c) "Because of new regulations, the local farmers' market will close an hour earlier each day."
d) "The new software update will be available for download starting next Monday."
2. WHO lead
Identify the WHO lead from the options below:
a) "The government plans to increase the minimum wage starting next year."
b) "Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress at the Academy Awards."
c) "The new library will be located on Main Street."
d) "The marathon race will take place on July 15th."
3. WHERE lead
Which sentence best represents a WHERE lead?
a) "A major tech company announced its latest product innovation."
b) "The Louvre Museum will feature a new exhibition on Renaissance art."
c) "The deadline for submitting applications is next Friday."
d) "Due to traffic congestion, the event will start later than planned."
4. WHEN lead
Choose the WHEN lead from the following:
a) "The local community center is hosting a free health fair this weekend."
b) "The new tax reforms will come into effect starting January 1st."
c) "A renowned scientist will give a lecture on climate change next Wednesday."
d) "The city council has approved plans for a new park in the downtown area."
5. WHY lead
Which of these sentences exemplifies a WHY lead?
a) "The annual food festival will feature local and international cuisines."
b) "Due to increased demand for organic produce, local farms are expanding their operations."
c) "The new sports complex will be built near the high school."
d) "The tech startup raised $10 million in its latest funding round."
6. HOW lead
Select the sentence that demonstrates a HOW lead:
a) "The environmental organization will plant 10,000 trees in the urban area."
b) "The new law requires all vehicles to meet stricter emission standards."
c) "The local community came together to organize a successful fundraising event for the shelter."
d) "The restaurant will offer a new menu featuring dishes from around the world."
Answer Key:
d) "The new software update will be available for download starting next Monday." (WHAT lead)
b) "Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress at the Academy Awards." (WHO lead)
b) "The Louvre Museum will feature a new exhibition on Renaissance art." (WHERE lead)
b) "The new tax reforms will come into effect starting January 1st." (WHEN lead)
b) "Due to increased demand for organic produce, local farms are expanding their operations." (WHY
lead)
c) "The local community came together to organize a successful fundraising event for the shelter." (HOW
lead)
Fact Sheet
Event: Community Health Fair
Date: August 15, 2024
Location: Riverside Park Community Center
Key Details:
The health fair will offer free medical check-ups, health screenings, and wellness workshops.
Local healthcare providers, including doctors, nutritionists, and fitness experts, will be present to offer
advice and services.
The event aims to promote healthier lifestyles and increase awareness about preventive care.
Various community organizations will provide information on mental health resources, fitness programs,
and healthy eating habits.
The health fair is open to all residents of the city, with no registration required.
Purpose: To provide free health services and education to the community, promote overall wellness,
and encourage preventive care.
Sample Leads
1. WHAT Lead
"The Riverside Park Community Center will host a free health fair on August 15, offering medical check-
ups, health screenings, and wellness workshops to all city residents."
2. WHO Lead
"Local healthcare providers will come together at Riverside Park Community Center on August 15 to
offer free medical check-ups and wellness workshops at the city's health fair."
3. WHERE Lead
"Riverside Park Community Center will be the venue for a free health fair on August 15, featuring a
range of medical services and wellness education."
4. WHEN Lead
"On August 15, Riverside Park Community Center will hold a health fair offering free medical services
and wellness workshops to promote healthier lifestyles."
5. WHY Lead
"To promote preventive care and healthier lifestyles, a free health fair will be held at Riverside Park
Community Center on August 15, providing residents with access to medical check-ups and wellness
resources."
6. HOW Lead
"By collaborating with local healthcare providers and community organizations, Riverside Park
Community Center will host a health fair on August 15, offering free medical check-ups and wellness
workshops to city residents."
