We can prepare a report for news just the way we can do for a news article. They both share a similar structure and style. A news report is the current affairs or what had just happened. Writing a news report is very easy if you know the steps of how to prepare a report for News.
So, in the article below, we will learn how to prepare a report for news by means of some easy to learn steps. For better comprehension, we recommend you should check out our report writing guide too.
How to Prepare a Report for News with Ease
Follow the following steps to write a news report with ease.
Step 1. Look for the Genre
Before you go out and look for the report, figure out what genre you are going to write. Because there is a variety of them. You can select out of international, national, local, political, crimes, events, investigation, entertainment, sports or others.
Therefore, look for the one you are most interested in or something that is trending now. For your interest will push you forward and trending topics will draw more attention towards your report.
Next, figure out what you are going to write about or simply the topic of your news. Again look for something trending.
Step 2. Visit the Scene
Once you have decided what you are supposed to be writing about, it is time that you should go and visit the scene. For it is difficult to write about something you have not witnessed.
Therefore, go to the scene of the crime, event or business meetups. Take notes about everything that takes place. Interview the people or the witnesses out there and make sure to get their names.
Conduct
Step 3. Take Interview
Who you should take an interview from depends on the topic of your report. But if possible, take interviews from a number of people. I fit is a political topic, you may need to take an interview from politicians, journalists, etc. If it is a business issue, you may have to approach businessmen, entrepreneurs, or their mentors.
All in all, whoever you are supposed to interview, learn about him as much as possible before you sit to interview them. Also, try to prepare some questions beforehand. Though it is not important you should ask the same questions if your conversations leads to another matter.
Moreover, you should try to make the interview sound more like a conversation to ease the flow of information. Also, writing may take more time, therefore, try to record the interview.
After you have gotten enough interview, make a cup of coffee, take your chair and start transcribing them. Listen to the recording multiple times to ensure you have not misquoted anything. Also, try not to forget taking the interviewers names. On that note, ensure their names’ spellings are correct.
Step 4. Do Your Own Research
You may think it is odd to research about news reports as they are usually about things happening now. But doing a little bit of research about the people you have interview, the past happenings related to the one you are reporting about or more will be very helpful.
Also, double check dates, figures and names to make sure there are not any errors.
Step 5. Make a Catchy Headlines
Your headline is one of the most important elements of your news report. Usually, you might have noticed newspaper headlines are clear, concise, catchy and appealing. Thus, they play a vital role in leading the readers to the report by drawing attention and interest.
Therefore, take your time to come up with something that should be
- clear, concise and catchy
- attention provoking but not misleading or exaggerating
Moreover, it is often easier to write the headline after you have finished writing your report. And capitalize the proper nouns.
Step 6. Write Byline and Place Line
Byline is where you write your name and identify yourself. You usually write byline right underneath the headline. Whereas the Place line is where the report takes place. Also, place line is written in capital letters.
Furthermore, it is recommended to use AP style abbreviations for byline and place line. For instance,
- Byline: John Black, Staff Reporter
- Place Line: EUGENE, ORE
Step 7. Write Hard and Concise News Lead
The news lead is the first paragraph of the news report that summarizes it. It is the most important part of your report besides headlines. You should keep it to the point while summarizing the who, why, how and when of your report.
For instance,
John Potter became the newest president of the US after the election ended on Monday 29, 2019. Potter defeated his opponent, Michal Green, by 38 votes.
Step 8. Body of your Report
The body of your report is supposed to be steeped with all the relevant information about the report, event that took place and people you interviewed. Thus, it is more detailed than your news lead.
Also, it is important to remember that your report should not an opinion but knowledge. Therefore, you should report in the third person and from a neutral point of view.
Step 9. Include Attribution and Quotes
If your news report is not a common public knowledge, try adding attributions. You should acknowledge your readers about where and from you got the data. It is specially important in cases where there are chances of the falsehood of the information.
Moreover, include quotes from the interviews you have taken. Also, it is important that you quote the person’s own sentences. Besides, do not forget to double check their names.
Step 10. Review
Reviewing your report may seem not very important after you have spent so much time writing it. But truth be told, it is very crucial that you double check every tiny detail.
You can check if dates, names of places or people are written correctly. Moreover, if there are any attractions or quotes, you should double check them too.
Conclusion
That is it for how to prepare a report for news. For questions or suggestions, you can drop us a comment down below.