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LIBERTY NEWS NETWORK: REPORTING TIPS FROM JAMES

HAVING PROBLEMS SEEING THE NEWSMAKER?

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Look for an icon that looks like a printer at the top of your browser window and click on it. If you can't find an icon, look for the "File" menu and select "Print."

Different computers and printers print out the coloring pages at different sizes. You may change the size of the image that prints by going to "Page Setup..." in the "File" menu of you Web browser. A window should pop up that shows the options for your printer. Find a section labeled "size" or "scale," and increase the number beyond 100% to make it bigger or decrease it under 100% to make it smaller.


WONDERING WHAT TO WRITE?

News tells us what is happening in our world. The news reporter learns what people are thinking or doing about an issue and reports the differing opinions. Reporters write about people, things, and events in different styles.

The NEWS STORY says exactly what happened and is what we usually see on the front page of the newspaper or hear in the first portion of a radio/TV broadcast. Many people think of the news story as a triangle, with the most important information at the top.

The FEATURE STORY presents the topic from a particular point of view of the people involved and is more like storytelling.

The EDITORIAL gives an opinion about an issue in the news.

The POLITICAL CARTOON is a drawing that expresses an opinion that can support or ridicule a person, thing, or event in the news.


HOW TO WRITE THE STORY:

Reporters can choose their own stories or be assigned one by the news editor. Once you know your topic start asking questions and doing your research. When you are actually ready to write the story as a news or feature story or editorial, answer the 5 W's of journalism.

Who? Samuel Adams
What? Participated in a tea dumping
Where? Boston Colony
When? December 16, 1773
Why? To protest taxation by the British without representation
and How? By rallying the colonists and leading them to the harbor

Most news stories begin with the most important information in the first paragraph. This "lead" is intended to make the reader keep reading or the listener stay tuned because they want to learn more.

The rest of the story states the details, including quotes from people involved, and gives both sides if there is a controversy. The final paragraph summarizes key information.

There is much competition for people's attention these days. Story headlines enable people to choose quickly what they want to read, so use the present tense with a few action words, such as "Colonists Dump Tea" rather than "Colonists Express Displeasure with British Taxation."

Because it is important to present the news in the most professional manner, all stories need to be rewritten. After writing the story, put it aside. Reread it later and consider the following: Does it present the information clearly so it gives the reader the information needed to understand the issue? Think of yourself as the reader and ask if there are any words that might be misunderstood. Listen while you read the story out loud.

The story is then submitted to the editor. Another reason for putting the main items in the first paragraph is because editors of news articles often cut information out of a story from the bottom. This happens because there is not enough space to print the whole piece in the paper or enough time to fit the whole story into a radio or TV broadcast.

The story is then placed in the paper or included in the newscast.





 
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