Newspaper articles should be able to provide factual and objective information about an event, person, or place. Most newspaper articles are read only quickly or at a glance. So, the most important information should appear at the beginning, followed by descriptive content that addresses the story. By doing your research and following the right structure, you can write informative newspaper articles in no time.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Conducting Interviews and Research
Step 1. Contact the source for your article
Contact the source long before writing the article as this will make the interview easier to arrange. Try to have at least 2-3 primary sources. Look for sources on the opposite side of the topic or subject so that the article contains comprehensive information.
- The source must be an expert in the area you are focusing on, such as a professional expert, professor, or academic. You can use sources that have extensive experience or background in a field related to the article.
- Resources such as witnesses to events are also useful, especially if they have direct experience of the topic you are discussing.
Step 2. Conduct interviews with sources
If possible, arrange an in-person interview in a comfortable and quiet place, such as his office, coffee shop, or home. If you can't arrange an in-person interview, talk on the phone or via a webcam. Prepare questions in advance and ask if you can record the interview for documentation.
- You may need to conduct more than one interview with the source, especially if they are the primary source. You can also send follow-up questions if needed.
- You will also need to copy the interview by typing it to make sure the source's answers are quoted correctly. Copies also facilitate fact-checking and source support.
Step 3. Look for public information in your local library or on the internet
You need factual and accurate information. Browse academic reports and articles on the topic in the library. Look for reviewed online sources on academic databases or official government websites.
Make sure you are citing the information correctly by writing the name or organization that provided the information. You must have credible sources to support the claims or arguments in the article
Step 4. Check the certainty of statistics or figures before using them in articles
If you are leaning towards statistics, data, or numerical information, trace back to credible sources to ensure they are correct. Make sure you mention the source in the article so readers know that you have fact-checked the information.
If you're writing a newspaper article for an editor, they may ask you to provide a list of sources to show you've fact-checked
Part 2 of 4: Structuring Articles
Step 1. Create an interesting and informative title
The title must be able to attract the attention of the reader and give an idea of the content of the article. The rule is that the title must contain "what" and "where". Make the title short and clear, maybe around 4-5 words.
- For example, “Teenager Girls Disappear in Pangandaran” or “DPR Meets Deadlock in Discussion of the Election Bill”.
- In some cases, it may be easier to make the title last after the article has been written so that you know the focus of the article and can summarize it clearly.
Step 2. Open the article with "news terrace"
The news terrace contains important details in the story. News terraces must be able to answer “who”, “what”, “when”, “why”, and “how” in a succinct manner. News stories must also be able to captivate readers and encourage them to continue.
Here's an example of news headlines: "The bird flu outbreak in Yogyakarta caused 3 primary schools to close this week, according to the principal." Or, “The missing girl from Pangandaran was found on Monday in an abandoned hut in the Bojong area, local police said.”
Step 3. Arrange the information in chronological order, starting with the most recent and important details
By skimming, the reader should be able to get information about the topic of the article. Provide up-to-date information in the first 1-2 paragraphs. This is called the inverted pyramid approach.
For example, “10–12 students have been diagnosed with avian influenza and the local health office is concerned that the spread will continue if it is not contained.”
Step 4. Develop important details throughout the body of the article
This is where you have to answer the “why” and “how” questions in more detail, and provide more in-depth coverage. You can provide detailed background or discuss previous events related to the topic or incident in the article. Write only 2-3 sentences in one paragraph so that readers can easily follow.
For example, “The teenage girl was reported missing by her mother on Friday night because she didn't come home after a group study at a friend's house. She is the second girl reported missing from the Pangandaran area in the last 2 weeks.”
Step 5. Include at least 2-3 supportive citations from sources
Include at least 1 strong quote in the first part of the article, and 1-2 more in the second. Use citations to support information that is not publicly known. Choose quotes that are short, clear, and informative. Mention the source when you include citations in the article.
- For example, “'The girl was shaken, but was not seriously injured,' said AKP Suharyanto, the local police chief.” Or, “According to the school's statement, 'School closure will prevent the spread of bird flu and ensure the safety of our students.'”
- Avoid long quotes or more than 4 quotes in one article because the reader will be confused.
Step 6. End with an informative quote or link for more information
Finish the article by including a quote that makes a deep impression and makes the reader understand. You can also include links to organizational sites or events if the article focuses on organizations.
- For example, “The girl's mother is relieved that her daughter has been found and is concerned about safety in the community. She stated, 'I hope no other girls go missing in this area.'"
- Or, “The health office advises parents to check the Yogyakarta municipality's website, www.jogjakota.go.id to check when the school will reopen.”
Part 3 of 4: Creating the Right News Tone
Step 1. Use clear and specific language that is easy to follow
Avoid cryptic language or general statements as they are of no use to the reader. Instead, choose simple and clear language so that the article is accessible to all readers. Make sentences that are no longer than 2–3 lines and break up sentences that are too long or contain more than one clause.
For example, don't write, "The girl's mother thinks this incident has something to do with school." Write, “The girl's mother thinks it was bullying at school that might have caused her daughter to disappear.”
Step 2. Write the article in the active voice from the third person point of view
Compared to passive sentences, active sentences put the subject of the sentence at the beginning so that it is more informative. Most newspaper articles are written in third person in order to remain objective and not to present a personal or subjective perspective.
For example, don't write, "A press conference will be held by the local police chief tomorrow to discuss the missing girl case and public concerns." Write, “The local police chief will discuss the missing girl case and the public's concerns at a press conference tomorrow.”
Step 3. Maintain an objective and informative tone
Newspaper articles must not display bias or opinion on the topic. Instead, the article should present the facts of the event or incident. Avoid hyperbolic language and don't exaggerate details.
For example, if you're writing about two political candidates facing off in an election, present them equally, don't give extra details about one candidate
Part 4 of 4: Polishing Articles
Step 1. Read your article aloud
When you've finished your draft, read it aloud so you can listen. Pay attention to whether the article answers the 5W and 1H, namely who (who), what (what), where (where), when (when), why (why), and how (how). Also, see if your articles are easy to follow. Make sure the quote is clear and not too long or convoluted.
Reading aloud also helps you spot errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Step 2. Show others for criticism and feedback
Have your friends, family, mentors, and instructors read the article. Ask if your article is easy to follow and understand. Find out if they have a clear picture of the topic being discussed and if they feel the overall content of the article is objective and factual.
For example, ask, “Can you understand what happened, based on the information from this article?” or “Is the language clear and easy to follow?” or “Is this article supported by sources and citations?”
Step 3. Revise the tone, language, and length of the article
After receiving feedback, take the time to revise it as best you can. Replace any confusing sentences or passages. Change the language so that it is objective and informative. Check again to make sure the article is clear and covers the heart of the topic, no more than 5–10 paragraphs long.
