Unit 6

What Does It Mean to Be Canadian?

Activity

Writing a News Article

A news article tells information about an important event.


One way to figure out what goes into a news article is to use the five Ws and the H: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.

  • Who is the story about? 
  • What is it about? 
  • Where did it occur? 
  • When did it occur? 

A news article is divided into five parts.

  1. Headline: Catches your attention and sums up the story 
  2. Byline: Writer’s name 
  3. Placeline: Where the writer of the story is from
  4. Body: Provides information about the 5Ws. Uses facts. Supplies most important details first. 
  5. Quotation: What someone actually said. Adds accuracy. Adds “at the scene” feeling

    Sometimes one of those elements will be more interesting than the rest. Obviously, what makes this Newfoundland story interesting is the fact that a dog is involved. Begin with your most important points first. This is called an inverted pyramid format. 


Painting of the Harvey family with their dog, Hairy Man (Town of Isle Aux Morts)
Click each coloured row for information about the activity.

Features of News Articles


The Features of News Article (listed in the text box on this page to the left) outlines the key elements you need in your news article.

Most news articles are written in inverted pyramid format such as the one below.



Document: Assignment 6-3 
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For a printer-friendly version of the file, click here

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  1. Download the document Assignment 6-3.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:
      • Click the "Open with" button.
      • Select "Adobe Reader".
      • Click "OK".
      • You will then be able to view the document Assignment 6-3.

In the news article you will write, include the following:

  • The headline (title) should be catchy to capture the readers' interest.
  • The reporter's name should be written in the byline.
  • The name of the place where the story happened (placeline) should begin the first paragraph.
  • The first paragraph is called a lead.  It opens with who, what, when, where, and why and how.   
  • In news reports and newscasts, the key details are ordered from most important to least important simple, true facts and details. 
  • In the body of the news article, in the second paragraph, included details, facts and examples that explain further how and why the incident happened.  Include quotation(s) from a bystander or someone who was interviewed for the article.
  • Conclude with any additional information the reader may want to know.
  • To make a newscast or news article come to life, add descriptive language.
  • Avoid using I.  Write in the third person.

Features of News Articles

A good news article has:


  • an introduction
  • a purpose (to inform)
  • an audience
  • answers to key questions and additional details of interest in the middle paragraphs
  • a conclusion
  • a title, may have subtitles, could have images



Save

How to save a file:

  1. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  2. Name your Assignment 6-3 in this format: jsmithla5_6-3-news and save the file to your Documents folder.

Summative Assessment

  1.  Assignment 6-3 is for marks.
  2.  Be sure to save it in your Documents folder and when it is completed, submit it on the appropriate page.