The document provides definitions and guidelines for key concepts in journalism. It defines journalism, objectivity, and writing. It distinguishes between facts and opinions, noting that opinions should be left out of news stories. The inverted pyramid structure is introduced as the standard for organizing facts in a story from most to least important. Guidelines are given for writing leads, attributing information, and avoiding unnecessary words or jargon in stories. Associated Press style is identified as the industry standard for formatting elements like numbers, titles, capitalization and more.

1. Newswriting Basics
Chapter 4 – Inside Reporting by Tim Harrower

2. Today’s Concepts

4. Defining “Journalism”
1.
a : the collection and editing of news for presentation through
the media
b : the public press
c : an academic study concerned with the collection and
editing of news or the management of a news medium
2.
a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or
magazine
b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or
description of events without an attempt at interpretation
Merriam-Webster.com

5. Defining “Objectivity”
3
• a : expressing or dealing with facts or
conditions as perceived without distortion by
personal feelings, prejudices, or
interpretations <objective art> <an objective hi
story of the war> <an objective judgment>
Merriam-Webster.com

6. Defining “Write”
1
• a : to form (as characters or symbols) on a surface with an
instrument (as a pen) b : to form (as words) by inscribing
the characters or symbols of on a surface
• a : to make significant characters or inscriptions; also : to
permit or be adapted to writing b : to form or produce
written letters, words, or sentences
2
• to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
3
• a : to produce a written work
• b : to compose music
Merriam-Webster.com

7. Fact v. Opinion
• Facts Are: • Opinions Are:
– Verifiable – Fleeting
– Attributable – Moldable
– Objective – Subjective
Why should opinions be left out of news stories?
*Let the facts speak for themselves.
How do opinions in news stories impact a reporter’s credibility?
*Readers can recognize bias and may not trust the publication in the future.
Opinions belong on what page of an newspaper?
*The Op-Ed (Opinion-Editorial) page!

8. Fact v. Opinion
No Opinion------------------------------------------------------------------------Strong Opinion
News Sports Movie
Story Story Reviews
News Opinion
Analysis Columns
Story
p. 134, Harrower, Inside Reporting

9. Meet the Five W’s:
You Typically Find Facts
Here…
Who
Why What
Where When

10. The Inverted Pyramid
Most Important Facts
Details or
Background
More Details
More
Details
More
Details

11.  Be accurate.
The Lead  Remember what day
it is.
 Don’t put unfamiliar
names in the lead.
 Use strong verbs.
 Ask, “why should I
care?”
 Sell the story.
 Don’t get hung up.
 Put attributions first.
 Checklist p. 45, Harrower

12. Please Delete!
Five „ Passive verbs
things „ Redundancy and
repetition
to avoid „ Long, wordy sentences
„ Jargon and “officialese”
in your „ Clichés
stories:
Harrower p. 53

13. Associated Press Style – An Industry Standard
Numbers
Titles
Capitalization
Abbreviations
Addresses
Parentheses
Possessives
Prefixes