Newspaper Writing Style Language and Approach STEFANIE VAN

Newspaper Writing – Style, Language and Approach STEFANIE VAN GERVEN

Types of articles �Local news �National news �International news �Feature article – a profile �Editorial – opinion pieces �Column – a regular piece

The Inverted Pyramid �This style is not chronological �For hard news: the lead is short, to the point, no emotion, very little description �For features: lead is more of an introduction, emotion or empathy plays a part, description is used to draw the reader in

Purpose and Style News Article Feature Article Purpose �To describe an event or issue to readers Most important characteristic �Uses some subjective language choices in describing (e. g. use of adjectives that shape meaning) Purpose � To inform readers and comment on person or event according to a particular point of view Most Important characteristic � Uses more obvious language choices to clearly show an opinion or point o view regarding the topic of the article

Language Features A news article uses: A feature article uses: • factual language that concentrates on who, what where, when, why, how • grammar (e. g. adjectives, adverbs, nouns) to provide descriptions about the facts and to shape or influence the meaning of the facts • direct and indirect speech, mainly as a form of evidence. • factual language that concentrates on who, what where, when, why, how • grammar (e. g. adjectives, adverbs, nouns) to provide descriptions about the facts and to shape or influence the meaning of the facts • direct and indirect speech selectively to position and influence readers • more complex sentences • clear statements about the writer’s opinion or other points of view about the topic • first person to influence audience • emotive language to achieve the writer’s persuasive purpose.

ACTIVITY �On your laptops, visit either theage. com. au, thedailytelegraph. com. au or theguardian. com. au �Find at least one of each; local news, national news, international news, feature article, editorial, column �Explore the differences between the language styles between the first three and the last three �Consider; tense, factual language, quotes, emotive language

Before You Start Writing Some things to consider: �Balance/fairness/wholeness �Accuracy/authenticity �Leadership �Accessibility �Credibility �Judgment

Before You Start Writing �Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability �Attribute information to its source �Disclose conflicts of interest �Interview and report without bias

Fact or opinion? �https: //play. kahoot. it/#/lobby? quiz. Id=96954 b 58 - b 639 -4423 -b 881 -1 f 9313 b 50519

Ethical Dilemmas

Using the ‘Holocaust’ Metaphor People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is a nonprofit animal rights organization known for its controversial approach to communications and public relations. In 2003, PETA launched a new campaign, named “Holocaust on Your Plate, ” that compares the slaughter of animals for human use to the murder of 6 million Jews in WWII. Question: Is “Holocaust on Your Plate” ethically wrong or a truthful comparison?

Exposing your source The Watergate story is considered perhaps American journalism’s defining accomplishment. Two intrepid young reporters for The Washington Post, carefully verifying and expanding upon information given to them by sources they went to great lengths to protect, revealed brutally damaging information about one of the most powerful figures on Earth, the American president. Question: Is protecting a source more important than revealing all the relevant information about a news story?

Cross-checking It used to be that a reporter would absolutely NEVER let a source check out a story before it appeared. But there has been growing acceptance of the idea that it’s more important to be accurate than to be independent. Question: Do we let sources see what we’re planning to write? And if we do, when?