1. Presented by: MSgt Mark Haviland Manager, Operations Basic News Writing Part 1
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3. Elements of News What is news? “ News is the first rough draft of history.” — Philip Graham, Washington Post publisher “ News is anything that makes a reader say “ Gee whiz.” — William Randolph Hearst American newspaper tycoon “ News is anything that will make people talk.” — Charles Dana New York Sun editor “ News is anything you can find out today that you didn’t know before.” — Turner Catledge New York Times editor
4. Elements of News What is news? 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life 1 ordinary man + 1 extraordinary adventure 1 ordinary husband + 1 ordinary wife 1 husband + 3 wives 1 bank cashier + 1 wife + 7 children 1 bank cashier — $100,000 1 chorus girl + 1 bank president — $100,000 1 man + 1 auto + 1 gun + 1 six-pack 1 man + 1 wife + 1 fight + 1 lawsuit 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 79 years 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 100 years
5. Elements of News Impact Does the story matter to readers? Will it have an effect on their lives, careers or bank account? Don't overlook the "me factor" your audience craves.
6. Elements of News Timeliness Has this story just happened? Is it about to happen? Timeliness is crucial. News stories should generally be no more than a week old.
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8. Elements of News Proximity This element can be physical – stories here at Langley – or psychological. On one hand, the Air Force community is local and on the other hand, it's global.
9. Elements of News Novelty Deviations from the normal – unexpected or unusual events, drama or change – are more newsworthy than the commonplace.
22. Examples of a ledes MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. WASHINGTON - Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld defended himself and took no personal responsibility Wednesday for the military's bungled response to Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendly fire death in Afghanistan. LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Langley Airmen - active duty, Reserve and Guard - can now obtain a bachelor's degree through Air University's Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program.
23. Exercise From the following facts, write a lede: Who: a nuclear weapon with a yield equivalent to 150,000 tons of TNT What: detonated Where: 40 miles south of Langley Air Force Base When: Today Why: it was accidentally released from an Air Force B-52 on a training Mission Other information: Members of the 1st Fighter Wing disaster control group are responding to the scene
24. Writing a bridge MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. So, you’ve written your lede. What comes next?
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26. Writing a bridge MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a three person security forces convoy team called upon to assist about 15 members of the Afghan national police and 20 members of the Afghan national army when they came under attack from Taliban forces on a highway checkpoint in Afghanistan's Qalat Province. Effective? Let’s edit …
27. Writing a bridge MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) – An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a three person security forces convoy team called upon to assist about 15 members of the Afghan national police and 20 members of the Afghan national army when they came under attack from Taliban forces on a highway checkpoint in Afghanistan's Qalat Province. How would you write it?
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