WEEK THREE

News writing – the basics

•  Always start with the result.

•  Never start with the date unless it's significant (e.g. anniversary).

•  First para never more than 50 words.

•  Keep paras short – two or three sentences at most.

•  Aim at a maximum of 25 to 27 words per sentence. Each word must be significant – no padding.

•  The first para must stand up on its own. All subsequent ones justify the first. It must be possible to cut all successive paras and still have the complete story.

•  Keep the story as brief as possible, use a minimum of adjectives.

•  Choose short words not long ones.

•  Use active verbs not passive.

•  Stick to facts, avoid opinions.