News Writing and Reporting – Process, Structure, Styles, Ethics

1. What is News?

News is information about recent events that is true, significant, and of interest to a specific audience. The NEB syllabus stresses five classic news values:

2. News Gathering – The Reporter’s Toolkit

1. Observation – Directly witnessing an event.
2. Interviews – Asking questions to witnesses, experts, officials.
3. Documents – Press releases, government reports, statistics.
4. Audio‑visual material – Photographs, video clips, recordings.

2.1 The 5 W + 1 H Checklist

3. From Raw Facts to a News Story

The transformation follows a linear process that can be visualised as:

flowchart LR
    A["Gather Facts"] --> B["Verify Sources"]
    B --> C["Select News Values"]
    C --> D["Choose Angle"]
    D --> E["Write Lead"]
    E --> F["Develop Body (Inverted Pyramid)"]
    F --> G["Edit & Proofread"]
    G --> H["Publish"]

3.1 Verification

• Cross‑check with at least two independent sources.
• Use primary sources (official statements) over secondary (social media).
• Record date, time, and contact of each source for accountability.

3.2 Choosing the Angle

The angle determines the story’s focus. Example: a flood can be reported as human tragedy, government response, or environmental cause. Selecting the right angle aligns with the target audience and editorial policy.

4. Structure of a News Story

4.1 The Inverted Pyramid

1. Lead (Lede) – Summarises the most important facts (who, what, when, where, why, how).
2. Nut Graph – Expands the lead, giving context and significance.
3. Body Paragraphs – Details in descending order of importance.
4. Background – Historical or ancillary information.

4.2 Types of Leads

5. Writing Style – Clarity and Brevity

• Active voice: “The mayor announced…” vs. “It was announced by the mayor…”.
• Short sentences: 15‑20 words max.
• Simple words: Avoid jargon unless the audience is specialised.
• Avoid bias: Use neutral language; attribute opinions.

5.1 Example: From Raw Notes to Final Story

Raw notes (interview with a teacher about school closure):

• Date: 12 Oct 2024
• Source: Mr. Sharma, Principal, Pokhara High School
• Quote: “We will reopen on 20 Oct after repairs.”
• Reason: Roof leak caused water damage.

Step 1 – Write Lead (summary)

“Pokhara High School will reopen on 20 October after a roof leak forced a two‑week closure, the principal confirmed on Thursday.”

Step 2 – Add Nut Graph

“The leak, caused by heavy monsoon rains, damaged classrooms and forced the school to shift to temporary tents.”

Step 3 – Body Paragraphs

• Details of damage, repair work, impact on students, quote from a student, future preventive measures.

Step 4 – Edit

• Check for redundancy, correct tense, verify names, ensure 5 W + 1 H are present.

6. Reporting Ethics and Legal Considerations

7. Editing and Copy‑Editing

1. Structural edit – Check story flow, logical order, and completeness.
2. Line edit – Refine sentences for clarity, eliminate jargon, tighten language.
3. Copy edit – Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style consistency.
4. Proofread – Final check for typographical errors before printing or uploading.

7.1 Common Editing Marks (NEB expects familiarity)

8. Advantages & Disadvantages of Different Reporting Platforms

9. Sample NEB‑Style Questions

1. Define “news” and list three news values with examples.
2. Explain the inverted‑pyramid structure and why it is preferred in news writing.
3. Write a 50‑word summary lead for the following scenario: “A landslide in Ilam has blocked the main highway, affecting transport of goods and causing school closures.”
4. Identify two ethical issues in the following excerpt and suggest how to correct them:

   “The mayor, who is always corrupt, said the new road project will never be finished.”

5. Match the editing symbols with their meanings (provide at least four).

10. Worked Example – Full News Article (≈250 words)

Scenario: 8 Nov 2024, a fire broke out at the Kathmandu Central Market, destroying 30 stalls.

Lead (summary):

“A massive fire engulfed Kathmandu’s Central Market on Friday, destroying 30 stalls and injuring three workers, officials said.”

Nut Graph:

“The blaze started around 2 p.m. in a spice shop, quickly spreading due to tightly packed stalls and lack of fire‑breaks.”

Body Paragraphs:

• Details of the fire: Time, cause (suspected electrical fault), response by fire brigade (arrived within 5 minutes).
• Impact on traders: Estimated loss of NPR 2 million, temporary relocation to nearby hall.
• Official statements: Mayor’s comment on investigation, promise of safety upgrades.
• Witness quote: “We heard a loud bang and then the smoke; it was terrifying,” said vendor Laxmi.
• Background: Previous fire incidents in the market and measures taken.

Closing:

“The market is expected to reopen in two weeks after thorough safety inspections, authorities assure.”

Editing Checklist:

• Verify numbers (30 stalls, 3 injured).
• Confirm quotes with source names.
• Ensure 5 W + 1 H are present.

11. Summary Checklist for Students

• Know definition and news values.
• Memorise the inverted‑pyramid steps.
• Practice writing three types of leads.
• Use the 5 W + 1 H checklist for every story.
• Apply verification and ethical guidelines.
• Review editing symbols and practice copy‑editing.

Exam tip

NEB questions often combine definition with application. Write concise answers (≈30‑40 words) for definitions, then illustrate with a real‑world example. For writing tasks, start with a strong lead that includes the most news‑worthy fact; keep sentences short and active. Allocate 5 minutes to proofread your answer – a single typo can cost marks in the writing section.