News Article / 267-^ follow the standard rules of grammar, mechanics, and usage,
-^ begin a new paragraph for each new idea, often using paragraphs of only a
sentence or two,
-^ be printed double-spaced,
-^ be directed to a specific person at the newspaper, a person whose name a
receptionist usually gives you.
If you are not an employee of the publication, you should include certain additional
information in a cover letter or on a separate sheet of paper:
-^ your name and title, or the name and title of someone else who, as a company
or organization representative, can verify the information
-^ your mailing and e-mail address
-^ the telephone or cell phone number at which you can be reached during the day
This information is critical to an editor who, working under deadline, must contact
you to clarify or to verify the facts. Without it, your article may go unpublished or be
published too late. If you do not want your address and phone number published, be
sure to write Do Not Publish alongside that information.
Process
In order to develop a satisfactory news article, follow these steps.
STEP 1: Prewriting—Gathering the Basic Information
On separate lines, list the basic questions: who, what, why, when, where, and how.
Then answer each in as few words as possible. These responses make up the basic
information that appears first in the inverted-pyramid construction.
STEP 2: Prewriting—Adding Details
Next, decide what additional information to include. Think in terms of reader inter-
est. What impact will the news have on the community? Does the impact need fur-
ther explanation? What additional information will the reader need to understand
the importance of the news? In other words, what makes your article noteworthy?
Make notes of additional and directly related facts that can be included. Omit judg-
ment, opinion, and assumption.
List the details your article should include.