Report writing for newspaper

What is a report?A report is a description of an

event that has already taken place.

It is a written description of past events that may have occurred somewhere but is of interest to general masses or the readers

for whom it is meant.

Elements of report writing

1) Headline : This is a short, attention-seeking statement about

the event. Example – “Horrific accident kills

family of four!”

3) Lead paragraph :

The lead paragraph

usuallyanswers the five

‘W’s

WHO WHAT

WHEN WHERE

WHY HOW

The writer must find the answers to these questions and write them in the opening sentences of the report.

2) By line : This tells who wrote the report

Example – By Ali Rashid, staff reporter, Khaleej Times

4) Second paragraph :

After the lead paragraph has been written, the writer must decide what other facts or details the reader might want to know.

The writer must make sure that he/she has enough information to answer any important questions a reader might have after reading the headline and the lead paragraph.

This section can also include direct quotes from

witnesses or bystanders.

Tips on writing a report –

It has to have appropriate language.

Since the events being reported are in the recent past, the past indefinite, past continuous and past perfect tenses are used.

The language used is formal.

The passive voice is preferred.

There should be a logical development of ideas, i.e. causes/reasons effects or consequences.

It should be comprehensive and reflect opinions of people.

Personal pronouns are to be avoided.

Sample reportHorrific accident kills family of four

By XYZ, Staff reporter, Khaleej TimesDubai, 17 march 2008. A horrifying accident on the Dubai – Al Ain highway killed an Indian family of four yesterday, 16 March 2008 at 9:30 am.

As narrated by family friends, the Kapoor family who were residents of Dubai were heading to Al Ain to meet their relatives. An eye witness reports that Mr. Kapoor who was driving the green – colored Ford lost control of the vehicle and braked very hard, resulting in the car skidding dangerously and going off the highway before ramming into a tree. The police arrived within three minutes of the accident and it took the civil defense team almost two hours to extricate Mr. Kapoor’s body from the badly smashed car. The rest of the family succumbed on the way to the hospital. Police inspector Ali Farid Almulla said, “Judging by the impact of the crash, it seems that the driver was driving very rashly. That is why he lost control.”