This page will teach you how to write a newspaper article (and make it great). Learn how to format a newspaper article correctly, through examples, and learn how to cite or reference a newspaper article for a school assignment.

Newspaper articles provide information on current events and issues, along with interpretation and analysis. They also provide entertainment, and are a reference for television listings, sports results, movie listings, community events and weather reports.

Newspapers use pictures and captivating headlines to draw in readers and hold their attention. Writing a great article can require informative and persuasive language, including emotive words, imagery, and rhetorical questions.

The following hints, tips and ideas will help you write a newspaper article for your local newspaper, a school assignment or just for fun.

Newspaper articles provide information on current events and issues.

The Purpose of a Newspaper Article

A newspaper article provides information on newsworthy topics: that is, any event or issue of importance to the majority of readers. It provides the reader with all the facts about this issue or event, including who, what, where, when, why and how. It includes statements, comments and opinions from experts or other people involved.

Types of Newspaper Articles

Newsworthy topics will vary according to the newspaper’s audience. A national newspaper will report on national issues like finance, war and politics. On the other hand, a local community newspaper reports on actions and events in the area. Local newspapers tend to lean towards emotional stories; people are more interested in a minor local event then a distant disaster.

A major news report is put on the front page with a big headline and a large picture. These major stories will often have smaller related background stories, which will sometimes run for several pages. Lesser stories are placed in the newspaper based on their importance (more important news at the front) or placed based on category (world news, sports, finance).

Newspaper articles should be objective, factual, accurate and balanced.

Format and Structure

The structure of a newspaper article is often compared to an inverted triangle: the most important details are at the top of the article, and the least important information placed at the end of the article. It is important to keep each paragraph as independent as possible, to allow paragraphs to be cut out in order to fit in pictures and advertisements.

The article is not written in chronological order. A newspaper article includes the following (in order):

• Headline and by-line (reporter’s name and picture).
• An opening paragraph (introduction) of about 25-40 words. It provides the most important and interesting news first, while answering who, what, where, when (how and why are often reserved for later).
• Further short paragraphs of about 30-40 words apiece. Each one has a main idea and a different fact. They may also include quotes from people involved or experts.
• Details are given in order of importance, with the least important details at the end of the article. This allows readers to skim over the start of the article to gain the essential facts before deciding to read on.
• At the end of the article the facts and opinions may be summarised, detailing the issue or event.

Example of a Newspaper Article

Examples and Samples

• Make a Classroom Newspaper
  Different layouts and styles.
• Examples For Kids
  This page features several children friendly examples of newspaper articles for them to learn from.

Language Features: The Headline

Headlines convey information and attract attention using the following:

• Short phrases and incomplete sentences
• Figurative language
• Stereotypes
• Exaggeration

Using Visuals

Headlines use size, bold, capitals, different font styles, underlining and sometimes colour to attract reader’s attention to the newspaper article that follows. The importance of the article is generally related the size of the headline, with more important articles having bigger and bolder headlines.

Photographs, illustrations, graphs, graphics and maps are used alongside newspaper articles to help present complex information as well as add interest and colour.

How To Write A Newspaper Article

The Associated Press Guide to News Writing: A Great Resource

The Associated Press Guide to News Writing

This book is a great reference for journalists (or aspiring journalists) and is a book that you will read, read again and then continue to read. Even for the non-journalist, this book will greatly increase your writing skills and give you insight into just how much research goes into the big headline newspaper articles.

Improve your general writing skills while also learning how to effectively edit your work.