News writing

A good news story will answer 6 key questions in the forst few paragraphs;

• Who was the story about?
• What happened in the story?
• Where did it take place?
• When did it happen?
• Why did it happen?
• How did it happen?

NEWS STORIES START WITH THE LATEST AND MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Advertising

Is the first box/space on my front cover and page two so it allows me to construct news stories and standing elements around them.

A = attract the target audience

I = create interest

D = establish desire

A = then explain what action will fulfil the desire you have created

Typical advertisements in local newspapers;

• massage parlours/spas
• hair and beauty salons
• DIY services
• Job ads (such as "minicab drivers wanted"
• medical businesses
• opening evenings for local school/colleges/universities/etc
• restaurants
• retail services (dry cleaners)
• accident helplines/ claims services/etc
• technology services and repairs
• bridal dresses
• gold and silver services
• garden and funiture
• etc

News Stories

The typical news stories and headlines found in local newspapers;

• anti-social behaviour
• black history month event in Brent
• recycling
• unprovoked attack
• new school
• family caught in blaze
• parking fees
• transport
• mother's emotions for no place for daughter in school
• council plans
• graffiti
• cut in lollipop staff
• first day at school
• charity for genetic condition
• vandalism on grave
• eco. friendly food fun event
• honour by queen
• lollipop patrols
• school's redevelopment
• closure of children's hospital
• fines for illegal immigrants
• recycling campaign
• list-cleansing of GP books
• complaints about council
• unemployed in local area
• murder/stabbing
• fear of hospital closing
• violent dog attack
• student's praised for stab victim's aid
• pension complain

Comparing news stories

I bought many newspapers (local, tabloid, broadsheet and regional) on the same day, 29 September 2011, to compare how the same news story would differ on its presentation and delivery. This will allow me to construct news stories based on their stance, target audience and ideology of the newspaper I am trying to convey. However, it was very difficult in finding this and was only left with two new stories to compare;

1. A "gorilla" news story on The Times and on The Sun
2. A fire news story on The Sun and on the Metro

Gorilla news story on the Sun

Gorilla news story on the Times

The Sun - GORILLAAAAH

Loving mohter gorilla Salome cradles her newborn baby tenderly after it was born - in Bristol. Salome gave birth to the Western lowland gorilla, an endangered species, at the city's Zoo Gardens on Tuesday. The zoo is part of a conservation breeding programme and the new baby is Salome' third there. Her last one was born through fertility treatment, but the new one was conceived naturally with dad Jock. Senior curator John Patridge said: "Salome is a great mother."

The Times - Now there's another gorilla in the midst

This new arrival at Bristol Zoo is set to become the main attraction. The western lowland gorilla and his mother, Salome, are "healthy and bonding well". The gorilla house has been closed to the public while the primates including the father, Jock, bond with the baby. Keepers have been unable  to check what sex the baby is.

The headline for The Sun is very catchy and informal compared to The Times and story itself seems to concentrate more on the birth and the vibe of the happy occasion whereas The Times focuses more on the bonding of the gorilla family. However both picture have been constructed in a heart-warming way.

Family blaze news story on the Sun

Family blaze news story on the Metro

The Sun - FAREWELL TO THE FIRE FAMILY

Hundreds pray yesterday at the funeral of six family members killed by a fire blamed on a faulty freezer. Mourners were led by father of the family Basam Kua, 51, who later returned to hospital for furtther burns treatment. Wife Muna, 41, daughters Hanin, 14, Basma, 13, and Amal, nine, and sons Mustafa, five, and Yehya, two, died on Saturday in Neasden, North London. Mr Kua's other daughter Nur, 16, is "critical but stable". The funeral was held at the Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery in Ilford.

Metro - Father buries family killed in blaze

A father who lost his wife and five of his children in a house fire led hundreds of mourners carrying out the tiny coffin of his two-year-old son at a funeral service. Bassam Kua, 51, had bandages on both arms and burns across his face as he touched the white box containing Yehya as it was taken to b buried with the rest of the family yesterday at the Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery in Ilford, east London.

It is like the news story in The SUN has been constructed in a very glamorous but emotional and sympathetic way. The dominant picture of the funeral prayers creates a sense of awe compared with the small picture in the Metro. And the cropped picture of the children makes the reader very attached and shocked. Even the headline itself has been made in a glamorous way with a rhythm of "f" words. Whereas the Metro headline is very simple. However bth news stories are emotional especially with the names of the children.