CHAPTER 3

“JOURNALISTIC WRITING SKILLS”

TOPIC: The News: A Backgrounder

Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading

newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand
of a clock.

-Ben Hecht

LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Enumerate the characteristics of news
 Decipher the elements of news
 Apply elements of news in specific situations

LEARNING OUTPUTS
 Portfolio entry: news with human interest
 Survey of news according to their types
 Interview session with other students

Understanding News News is difficult to define because it has many

variables, but one needs to determine what is newsworthy when
deciding what to write about for his or her story assignments. Try to
process this. News must be factual, yet not all facts are news. A
news item is based on actual occurrences, situations, thoughts and
ideas, yet not all facts are news. For instance, a dog bites a typical
man. This is not a news for many, but when a typical man bites a
dog, this may be newsworthy to some. Here, the logical nature of
news may be drawn, such that, the taste of news depends on the
interest of and impact to the reader. To attain a wide array of
perspectives and meanings about news, the definitions of news
according to Philippine journalism authors are surveyed and are
listed below. According to et event that happened, is happening, will
happen in the North, East, West and South (NEWS)

that is of interest to the reader and which should be reported. From

Soriano's definition, three primary considerations in defining news are
drawn. First, news is reported through airwaves and in written form.
Second, anything can become news, whether the event is already
done, is being done, or shall still be conducted. Third, the news
considers the interest of the reader in accepting the impact of the
news, that is, a news for somebody may not be a news to another
person. Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out
that news is basically about an event, idea or a reaction that is
presented factually and simply in written form to give the reader an
idea of what is currently happening around him or her, particularly on
matters of interest to the community. This lengthy definition by
Malinao (2008) gives the notion that news may include or encompass
any topic including a speech or a simple feedback. Moreover, it
stresses that news is generally written and is based on facts. Another
perspective about news is given by Estrada and Singh (1987).
Though the date of publication may seem to be antiquated for some,
for the purpose of tracing the perspective, the definition is included.
Estrada and Singh opined, "News is a timely factual report of events,
ideas or situations interesting or significant to people. Others define it
as literature in a hurry." Estrada and Singh's definition gives an
added perspective on time elements. Literature in a hurry therefore
means that news should be publicized at its freshness. It means that
the life span of a news may be so short that it expires right away and
that it can be buried when new angles of the news or topic are
broadcast. Additional viewpoint is also written by Puig and Flores
(2005). They posited that news is any information that is significant to
a particular set of readers. Simply put, they qualified news according
to its relevance and interest of the readers. Another pair of Filipino
journalist writers, Soriano and Henson (1999), provides a seemingly
technical definition of news. They inscribed that news is a reportage
of accurate facts, events and ideas that interest a large number of
readers. Anything that is refreshed or regenerated is also news.
Here, the definition looks into the newness of idea that responds to
the interest of the readers. The definition marries the idea of
immediacy and interest; ergo, the newer the angle of the story, the
more interesting it is to the readers. Lastly, Pangilinan (2012)
provides another definition which goes, "news is information that has
a meaning for a set of readers." Hence, the bases of all news are
facts, interest and readers. From all the definitions above, news can
be coined by stating that it is a timely reportage of events, regardless
of time and manner, which are grounded on facts. It considers
nearness, importance, impact and interest to the public

News in School Papers

With the concept of news in mind, a student journalist should
remember tha anything that concerns the school, its students, the
teachers, including the parents newsworthy.
News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of
students like opening of a new college, inauguration of the new
building, stories of success conflicts or suspense, school
convocations and other programs, interviews of visiting personalities,
merging of two colleges, increasing tuition and other fees, new
grading system and the like.
Characteristics of a Good News
One can gauge the worthiness of a news by some qualities that
emanate from the subject's nature and functions. The characteristics
that are discussed below become one's yardstick to determine
whether an issue is worth publishing or broadcasting. In such sense,
when a student writer has a limited space for a news, he/she tries to
weigh the importance of the news that will occupy a space in the
paper by enumerating the attributes of news that are present in both
stories. Hence, the more attributes or characteristics a story has, the
more effective it is to become catchy, interesting and worth
reading...the more it becomes appealing to the readers.
1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This characteristic of a news item underscores the newest angle of
the story. For instance, the changing of the grading system which
was announced yesterday is more appealing to a student other than
the Christmas party last December. It should be noted, too, that the
more recent the event, the more appealing it is to the reader.
2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons are also newsworthy.
In campus context, competitions like oratorical contests and quiz
bees are newsworthy due to the mental conflicts present. Sports
events during intramurals or foundation days are newsworthy, too, as
they have physical conflicts.
3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it
likewise means the nearness of interest and appeal. In the context of
writing news in the campus or school for students in Batanes what is
happening to Batanes State College will be of more interest to the
them than what is happening to Western Mindanao State University.
The imposition of "no cellphone policy" in Batanes

State College will interest the Batanes' readers more than the zero
tuition scheme of Aklan State University, so to speak.
4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is a journalistic skill.
Therefore, the contents should be accurately reported. Accuracy
primarily refers to the factualness of news as purveyor of truth.
5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the
news. Hence, a writer should survey whatever is significant to the life
of the target readers and write about it. When news is important to
him/her, the news bears a high degree of significance, thus,
newsworthy and worth reading. In the campus setting, topics that are
highly significant include new rules imposed by the administration or
the student government, amendments to policies, upcoming big
events, results of scholarship screening and the like.
6. Prominence and Names
"The world is unfair," so the adage goes. In this light, there are
persons more popular than others. Popular names can effectuate
situations and their acts may be more interesting to others. Hence,
news about these persons can yield a high degree of
newsworthiness, thus becoming more readable than other news. For
campus papers, prominent personalities include the president of the
student body, the principal, the student who won in a national
competition and the like.
7. Drama
Since news is also anchored on public interest, writers should bank
on any story that can lead the writers to crying or to laughing. Such
story is packed with color, thus, subjects are moving. In this way, the
news becomes appealing to the readers. For instance, you write a
story of the student leader who manages to graduate as magna cum
laude despite his five-year term as the College Student Government
President.
8. Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element of news. A
theory explains that when persons are curious about a phenomenon
deviating from a natural course, they will be interested in such a topic
or issue; hence, that topic becomes newsworthy. Looking into the
campus situation, one may write about a forty-year-old student who
has just graduated; he has just finished his fifth bachelor's degree in
your college. This unusual situation may be so intriguing as regards
the student's purpose, therefore, becoming more newsworthy to the
readers.

9. Romance and Adventure

"Love makes the world go round," so a song says. Hence, stories
about love, including adventure, may ignite the taste of the reading
public. This is also the reason why showbiz news continuously
booms.
10. Progress
Attaining breakthroughs and achieving scientific discoveries are
given much attention by the readers. This attribute of the news gives
a high degree of shock and a sense of development in the society
where the persons live. Looking into a school situation, progress may
be in the form a newly constructed building and newly donated
laboratory equipment from alumni abroad.
11. Numbers
For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power to shake the
conviction of the audience. This is why numbers yield a very strong
impact on the readers. However, the figures that one should write
should be worth appreciating. For instance, the Alumni Association
donated one computer set last January, while the Parent Teachers
Association donated 57 computer sets to the school. The latter yields
a higher degree of newsworthiness than the former. It is not safe to
say, however, that the higher the figure, the higher is its
newsworthiness. Say, your school has performed in the National
Achievement Test 50% lower than last year's data. This is a figure
lower than the usual and yet bears a high degree of interest.
Types of News Stories
Here are the following types of news stories according to their
classifications.
1. According to Chronology or Sequence
a. Spot News. As the term suggests, this is a news story that gathers
information as it is broadcast at the same time. Hence, it is
unscheduled and demands immediate publication. In many
instances, the reporter becomes the first hand witness to the activity
or subject taking place. For instance, a student journalist happens to
be standing at the gate when a jeepney bumps an Jeducation
student. He writes the story and publishes it in the weekly newsletter
of the college.
b. Coverage News. Many interchange spot news and coverage news.
Though both of them are good avenues for firsthand information, the
differough between the two is that coverage news is written based on
the given assignment to the reporter or news write the assignment is
sometimes given beat. It means that the writer knows what to write
about. For examp called
chief editor wants to publish what transpires in the academic
meeting, so he assigns, Jessica, a writer to cover the meeting.
Jessica knows what she shall write about and shall be concentrated
only on the meeting, thus, her beat.
c. Advance News. When a writer crafts news about an upcoming
event, say,
meeting de avance of running student leaders, change of opening of
classes for the next academic year and an announcement of new
uniforms to take effect next semester, he/she actually writes an
advance news. In advance stories, writers' skills in creating many
new perspectives on a subject are tested so as to create climax when
the event happens. Sometimes, series stories are created with one or
two reporters guarding the newest angles of the event or situation.
d. Follow-up News. While advance news is predictive, follow-up news
looks
into the upshot to an event or situation. For instance, a reporter wrote
a news about the imposition of the new uniform effective this
semester, then in the next issue he shall write on the ideas and
comments of the students about the new uniform, or the problems
they now meet.
2. According to Range and Reach
a. Local News: This is a news item. The subject of which happens in
one's own community where the paper originates. For instance, The
Builders, the official student organ of Batanes State College, covers
the installation of the underground electrification system in the
province; the news is said to be a local news since it is about the
province itself.
b. National News: Countrywide news is called national news. It is
determined when the news impacts the people of a certain country.
Most national news is published in the dailies.
c. Foreign News: All news items which trace their origin from outside
the boarders of the country are called foreign news. Some foreign
news articles also create impact to typical locals due to their domino
effect like the oil price hike in the world market.
d. Dateline News: An out-of-town news story. This news is introduced
by a dateline which states the place from which the story was
reported, the date, and the source of the material if not written by the
local staff.
3. According to Construction
a. Straight News. The first paragraph answers the most important W
(what, where, when, why, who) depending on which of the W's is the
most prominent among them. Its body paragraphs consist of the
elaboration on the W's and the H. It is written using the inverted
triangle structure.
Example:
Thirty-four barangay officials are now more familiar with the ins and
outs of good governance after undergoing various activities during
the capability building seminar and training at Community Outreach
Center on February 18, 2014. (Presentation of Who)
The participants coming from barangays Sta. Maria, Magapit and
Paranum were lectured on the rules of parliamentary procedure by
Prof. Edmond A. Usal, CA dean; Katarungang Pambarangay Law by
Mr. Sherwood Gayodan, CA faculty; Internet literacy through Mrs.
Mary Jane B. Habon; and preparation of Memorandum of Agreement
and minutes of meeting by Prof. Gemma R. Pascual, CTE faculty.
(Elaboration of Who)
After the discussion, the participants were given workshops like
demonstrating parliamentary procedures and making an actual
Memorandum of Agreement. (Additional information about what the
"who" did)
Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Leonita P. Garcia,
underscored the need for cooperation among the barangay officials
and the campus administration to materialize the goals of the
institution. (Least information about another "who")
b. News Feature. This special type of news should not be confused
with the
feature articles (features). News feature is sometimes called special
features and printed in the features sections of the newspapers or in
the magazines. Human interest and news-feature stories are
classified as news since both are gathered and written daily by
reporters as their regular assignments. Furthermore, both emphasize
the elements of timeliness or immediacy which distinguish news from
other types of reading, although they differ in important respects from
the straight news story.
Example:
Love is in the air, indeed, in the Batanes State College as cut outs of
hearts are in a riot of multicolored lights and decors hung upon
everywhere and every way.
However, the "Feb-ibig" celebration reached its climax when the
traditional promenade participated in by students, teachers, parents,
community and even barangay members was conducted at the
Aquino Grandstand, February 14.
To make the occasion more symbolic and relevant, students also had
a "hearts' lantern parade" capped with ballroom dances.
(1) Single-Feature or One-Incident Story. It may be an account of a
speech, an interview, an election, that deals with an isolated event. In
writing a news- feature story with this kind of structure, include the
one-feature in the lead. Add in the body details which clarify and
explain the lead. See that the story breaks logically at every
paragraph and that the story may be cut if lengthened as space
dictates.

Lead Angle
Summary of Other Angles
Detail of Lead Angles
More Details
More
D
(2) The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story. In a
composite story, two or more divergent aspects of a news topic are
drawn together for the sake of space and coherence. In structure, the
composite story may resemble that of a follow-up story in that both of
them aim to consolidate component parts. However, they differ in the
sense that the follow-up story ends in a tie-in with a past story;
whereas, the composite story is composed of units, each one made
up of fresh spot news frequently with reference to the future. In
writing the several-feature or composite story, include all of the
features in a comprehensive lead in the order of their importance.
The next step is to explain and elaborate in the body each of the
features in the order which they are in the lead. In doing this, relegate
less important details of each feature to less important positions. But
remember that each chain of facts although covered separately
should be handled as a single, unified story. c. Fact Story
This is plain exposition of a simple situation of a series of closely rela
events which conform to the inverted triangle design more closely
than any ot kinds of news. The component parts are the series of
facts that may be likene to rectangles of diminishing length arranged
one after the other in order of the importance.
The key to proper arrangement consists solely in judging the relative
value the data at hand and in grouping them in their respective order.
Example:
"The campus student population this semester totals to 1,814. That
marks 11.63% increase as compared to 1603 total head count during
the semester last year."
This was the statement of Mr. Leslie A. Panaligan, campus registrar,
when the Innovator staff inquired about the student headcount of the
campus.
The registrar said that the campus population has been dramatically
increasing for the past years based on the data recorded in his office.
"Based on our record, the campus is continuously welcoming
students with 5 to 15 percent range increase every year, and this
semester notches almost 12 percent hike," Mr. Panaligan mentioned.
Showing the summary of enrolment, he pointed out that among the
five colleges of the campus, the College of Agriculture has the
highest number of enrolees with a total of 590 students.
Trailing behind the biggest college is the College of Teacher
Education with 531 students enroled in its BSEd and BEEd
programs.
The College of Information and Computing Sciences followed with
360 headcount while the College of Hospitality Industry Management
trailed next taking supervision of the 263 BSHIM students.
Although still the smallest college, the College of Arts has 70
students remarkably far from its 55 students during the same term
last year,
"Such increase is attributed to the cooperation of everyone in
scouting students to enrol in the offered programs or courses of the
campus. The continuous career guidance held every second
semester is also a great help," the campus registrar declared when
asked about the reason why such percentile hike is attained this
semester.
Source: Jenerwin M. Columna from The Innovator November 2013
d. Action Story
This is a narrative involving not merely simple facts but dramatic
actions incidents, description of persons, perhaps testimonies of
witness, as well as explanatory data.
In reading this kind of story, first write a summarizing lead in any
appropriate form. Relate the most important details in narrative or
chronological form. Tell the story again by giving more details. But be
careful not to begin the chronological order just after beginning. Give
sufficient attention to the elaboration of important information,
background and interpretation. Each unit must be closely interlocked.
Example:
Mobilizing its destructive forces built into an empire fortifying its
impenetrable stronghold, the AB Political Science-Agriculture Team,
known as Mighty A's, wrecked havoc frightening and sending its foes
to their knees to capture the trophy for the over-all champion in
sports for this year's intramurals.
After the three grueling days that started September 21, mighty A's
rallied its way to victory with a comfortable lead after amassing a total
of 66 gold.
Trailing far behind was Fearless Technocrats with 54 gold, followed
by the once-formidable Titans of the College of Education as third
placer having hauled only 51 gold; landing on the fourth are the
Memory Makers of HIM.
The winning team dominated other competing teams in softball,
baseball, athletics, badminton, and sepak takraw and was adjudged
Most Disciplined Team and Best in Booth.
Asked about team's stratagem in winning, Jackilou Berbano, College
of Agriculture Student Government (CASG) Mayor, and Jomar
Abadilla, Political Science Club president, said they attribute their
success to the concerted efforts of the agriculture and political
science students and faculty, who were always at their back to
uphold them in every game.
Meanwhile, the Memory Makers of the Hospitality Industry
Management (HIM) defended its throne in the Literary-Musical
Contest as it garnered four gold in vocal solo, vocal duet, and song
writing contest.
The Titans of the College of Education also prevailed in the academic
competitions with nine gold reaped in almost all contested activities.
Further, Ferdinand Bulusan, BSE-IV student, was declared Hall of
Famer in oration for being a tree-time and two-time champion in
oration in the campus and in the university, respectively. All winning
students will represent the campus in the university meet to be held
at CSU Carig on November 23-25, 2011.
Source: The Innovator of CSU Lal-lo November 2011
Speech, Report, Quote, and Interview Stories
The arrangements of a speech report, a quote story and of an
interview an to great extent similar. The quote story may be charted
as alternating large and small rectangles of diminishing size,
summary, quote, summary, quote, summary arrangement. The
quotations may be direct, indirect, or a combination of both.
In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions may be helpful:
1. Write a summarizing lead in any appropriate form..
2. Write the body of the story in a summary-quote-summary
arrangement
3. The lead may be a summarizing statement the gist of the speech,
statement, letter, or interview; or it may be the most important
quotation in the story written as direct quote.
Example: Quote Story
"A little pain, a life to gain."
This was the statement of Mr. Joeffrey Usabal, one of those who
attended the Bloodletting activity held at Aladino M. Dupaya Sr.
Gymnasium, Centro, Lal-lo, Cagayan, August 4.
"It was a very noble undertaking and I am very happy to be a part of
it. That single pain I felt is truly nothing when I compare the effect of it
to the sick people of the community." Mr. Usabal continued as he
showed a small prick in his hand.
Themed with "Every Blood Donor is a Hero", the bloodletting activity
is simultaneous to the launching of the WE CARE Program of the
Local Government Unit of Lal-lo during the celebration of 433
Patronal Town Fiesta held last August 2014.
Led by the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the whole-day activity was
attended by various blood donors including qualified students of
Cagayan State University at Lal-lo.
"It is a way of realizing our desire to help save lives in danger. Truly,
a single bag of blood wholeheartedly shared is worth of life." he
disclosed.
Meanwhile, Prof. Rogelio T. Tamayo, campus executive officer,
thanked the student donors for their willingness to help. "It was not
just a show of help to the activities of the Local Government Unit of
Lal-lo, but it was actually a way for CSUL students to realize the real
value of sharing and saving lives through donating blood," he added.
"We hope that the desire of our students to help and participate in
such kind of activity will not end. The spirit of helping others is one of
those things I want to inculcate to you [students], so keep it up," the
CEO disclosed.
Source: Kristal Faith Pagaduan, The Innovator November 2014
Example: Speech Report Story
"I am deeply honored to receive this resolution of commendation...
but I know, I just did this for the betterment of the campus."
This is the statement of Dr. Perfecto V. Vivit, campus executive
officer of CSU Lal-lo, after receiving a resolution of commendation
from the municipality of Calayan for his full commitment and
immediate approval in the cacao partnership project of the Cacao
Growers Cooperative and the campus.
According to Mr. Tito Maquiraya, one of the councilors of the
municipality of Calayan, their town is very grateful for the approval of
the project since most of the members of the cooperative come from
Calayan.
Moreover, a large number of cacao seedlings will come from their
municipality which contributes in the promotion of the town's
production.
"Hindi lang yan, isang malaking garantiya kasi ang binigay ng
campus ninyo, of course, sa pangunguna ni Dr. Vivit, kaya talagang
sukdulan ang pasasalamat ng aming bayan," Mr. Maquiraya added.
Asked about his main objective of approving the project, Dr. Vivit said
that it was just practical for the campus to make good production rate
and the project was a large key.
"In fact, this is a win-win project; we help them, they help us. The
production that we will get from the project will surely be very useful
to elevate quality education and to improve learning facilities," Vivit
disclosed.
Source: Ferdinand Bulusan November 2013
4. Minor News Forms
a
. News Brief. This is a short item of news interest, written like a brief,
telegraphic message. It gives mainly the result with few details.
b.
News Bulletin. It is similar to the lead of a straight news story. Its aim
is just to give the gist of the news.
c.
News Featurette. This is a short news feature usually used a fillers,
say, quirks in the news.
d. Sidebar. It is a news item or a feature placed side by side its
mother story to which it is related but under a headline of its own.
e. Flash
. This is a message giving first brief news of an event. It is usually
boxed.