One of the most common obstacles to news writing is simply that people do not know what characterizes the style of writing, and how it contrasts with other styles such as blog writing, opinion, and analysis.
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What is the difference between blog writing and news writing?
There is no definition that will comprehensively describe either type of writing–they vary. However, by becoming familiar with the characteristics of these styles of writing, we can understand the distinction.
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One thing to look for is the “voice” of the writer. While blog writing allows any “voice” to be expressed, news is constrained–there is NO personal voice; journalists report on the facts, while remaining (in an sense) invisible.
Blogs use conversational language, express comments and are opinionated.
News articles are none of these–they are factual, use less familiar language and have no comments.News is known for objectivity. There is no I–no opinions. Opinions are expressed only by sources. The journalist reports that the source has the opinion.
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Can I write a fact-based, impersonal article with no opinions or “I,” and still have written a blog post?
Yes, often writers compose something like an essay or encyclopedia entry. What is the difference?
“What happened?”
If you ask yourself what happened, and you can’t answer, you have not written news. Maybe some varied or specific things happened, but long ago–this is history, not news. Maybe something happened, but this was not the focus of your article–this is not news either (although your writing may contain news within it). Maybe there is NOTHING that happened, really–you have written a description, or an essay.
Look at your subject. Ask yourself:
“What happened?” A person/people did/said/found something. NEWS!
“When?” Recently. NEWS!
Now, we have a subject for news. Let’s elaborate.
“Who did/said it?” Title/position and Full Name.
“What did she/they do/say?” Quote or description from a citable source.
You have now found news. Want to turn it into a story?
“Where did it happen?” Place.
“Why did it happen?” This is the most interesting part of any story, but a journalist does not get to give their opinion. They quote and describe the reasons given by the person who did the thing or by an expert on the matter.
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Here is an example of this process:
“What happened?” Chinese authorities shot at Tibetan protesters. NEWS!
“When?” Last Tuesday (or, last month, but it only came to light days ago). NEWS!
Chinese Authorities Shoot at Tibetan Protesters
Want to turn it into a story?
“Where did it happen?”
“Why did it happen?”
Chinese authorities opened fire at Tibetan protesters who had gathered at a government office in Kardze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, China, Tuesday [or “last month. The events were reported by Tibet Watch Tuesday”].
You have written news. Let’s elaborate a little about what happened.
Chinese officials arrived and deployed tear gas and fired on the protesters. Two Tibetans were struck by the bullets. Other Tibetans were also injured in the clash, Free Tibet reported.
In this case there is no quote to give, unfortunately. We must do some research and provide competant backstory. Your reader is going to be wondering about more details as to what happened, and will want an explanation why it happened.
Hundreds of Tibetans had gathered at the local offices of the Chinese government Tuesday. Security forces were deployed from nearby Sertha village. The force met the protesters with tear gas and live ammunition.
The son and brother of Wangdak, the village leader, were both shot.
The injured Tibetans were taken away by security forces, who told family members the injured were being taken to medical treatment. No information of the whereabouts of the injured protesters has since been provided.
The protest followed a forced celebration. Tibetans were ordered to celebrate a visit by senior Chinese officials one day earlier. Wangduk had complained to the officials about harassment of female dancers by Chinese officials, and had also objected to the characterization of traditional horse races and prayer festivals as illegal. Wangdak was arrested.
A similar crackdown took place in neighboring Shukpa village Wednesday, where security forces beat and interrogated family members, although many of Shukpa’ men had left the village to avoid arrest.
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In these two videos, we look at six articles. Three are blogs and three are news. We identify what makes them a blog or a news article.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVJSGUbix4&list=UUFIszO8mcNrq9ENN-cGxf6w”]VIDEO[/su_youtube]
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eIkEkZf408&feature=youtu.be”]VIDEO[/su_youtube]
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Still having trouble writing news? Start basic.
“Who?”
“What?”
“Where?”
“When?”
“Why?”
“Who?” Obama (US President Barack Obama)
“What?” made statements about “no boots on the ground”
“Where?” at a press conference in Washington
“When?” Wednesday
“Why?” It’s a big issue (ie Because IS is conquering parts of Syria and Iraq and posing a serious global threat, he is expected to/he is pressured to)
Put together simply:
US President Barack Obama made statements at a press conference in Washington Wednesday in which he addressed the current events taking place in the Middle East. The president said that no US boots would be placed on the ground in Iraq.
“We can’t do it for them,” said Obama. “We’re not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back into a situation in which, while we’re there we’re keeping a lid on things, and after enormous sacrifices by us, after we’re not there, people start acting in ways that are not conducive to the long-term stability and prosperity of the country.”
Some recent things that are related
Some backstory/context/other comments by politicians/military
By Your Name
From that point, you can elaborate. If you find that your story has gotten out of control, return to this point again.
By The Speaker