news writing

(pagsusulat ng
balita)

Alvin Hizon, Multimedia Specialist

WHAT IS
NEWS?
WHAT IS NEWS?

News is difficult to define

because it has many variables.
WHAT IS NEWS?

News must be factual, yet not

all facts are news.
WHAT IS NEWS?

“ News is “any event, idea or opinion that is

timely, that interests or affects a large number of
persons in a community, and that is capable of
being understood by them.”
Dean M. Lyle Spencer
School of Journalism
Syracuse University
WHAT IS NEWS?

News is primarily about people;

what they say and do.
NEWS ELEMENTS
• Impact—How many people does the event
affect? How seriously does it affect them?

• Proximity—An event will be more

important if is closer to the readers.

• Timeliness—Is the event fresh? Is it new?

The news must be timely to be of use to
readers.
NEWS ELEMENTS
• Prominence—Names make news, and big
names make big news. Ordinary people are
intrigued by the doings of the rich and famous.

• Novelty—This is the new in news, the unusual.

The "firsts," "lasts" and "onlys" have
been the staples of the news business for many
years.
NEWS ELEMENTS
• Conflict—Conflict has been the
currency of great literature, drama and
movies for all time. Newspapers are no
different.

• Audience—Who is the audience?

ANGLE

The main idea of a news story or lead is

called the “angle.”

It is also referred to as the “hook”

because it is used to grab or hook the
reader’s attention.
Summary Lead
Inmates of the Davao del Norte provincial jail staged
a noise barrage early yesterday, calling for the ouster
of two jail guards they accused of committing abuses,
prison officials said.

Niyanig ng isang lindol ang lalawigan ng Sorsogon at

Masbate kahapon ng madaling araw na ikinasawi ng
tatlong tao at ikinasira ng mga bahay at gusali.
Novelty Lead

Trecean is going green.

With the increasing efficiency and reliability in communications technology,
Trece Martires City National High School (TMCNHS) pushed for the
implementation of wide paperless transactions to save on costs and protect the
environment.

“Babawiin namin ang tropeyo sa susunod na taon.”

Ito ang sinambit ni Angelo Matias, lider ng debating team ng TMCNHS,
matapos silang matalo ng Osorio NHS sa patimpalak kahapon.
AP Style Lead
The House of Representatives has formally adopted a
resolution supporting the President's declaration of martial
law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus in Mindanao.

Ikinatuwa ng mga motorista ang pag-apruba ng

Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee sa
panukalang pagpapalawig ng bisa ng driver's license.
WHO + WHAT + SO WHAT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte intends to abolish

the party-list system when the Constitution is
overhauled through a constituent assembly, saying
it’s a “mockery of the law.”
WHO + WHAT + SO WHAT

Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Sunday called on the

government and the National Democratic Front to continue
with the peace process despite a complication in the
resumption of formal peace talks with communist rebels.
WHO + WHAT + SO WHAT

WHO + WHAT + SO WHAT

Mismong si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ang
nakapuna na inaabuso ang partylist system sa
bansa kaya dapat itong tanggalin sa binabalak na
bagong Konstitusyon.
WHO + WHAT + SO WHAT

Tuluyan nang binawi kagabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo

Duterte ang idineklarang unilateral ceasefire sa
Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s
Army (CPP-NPA) matapos hindi tumugon sa
itinakdang 5 p.m. deadline para magdeklara rin ng
ceasefire ang makakaliwang grupo.
LEAD SUPPORT
LEAD SUPPORT

Tuluyan nang binawi kagabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang

idineklarang unilateral ceasefire sa Communist Party of the
Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) matapos hindi tumugon sa
itinakdang 5 p.m deadline para magdeklara rin ng ceasefire ang
makakaliwang grupo.
Sa ipinalabas na pahayag, sinabi ng Pangulo ng binabawi na niya ang
unilateral ceasefire sa mga rebelde na inihayag niya noong Hulyo 25 sa
kanyang State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Source of Information
LEAD SUPPORT

Don’t buy vaccines from online sellers and unauthorized

distributors, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned
the public.
In an advisory released last September 6, the agency cautioned
the public against purchasing from online and unlicensed
sellers. 

Source of Information
LEAD SUPPORT

President Duterte intends to abolish the party- list system when

the Constitution is overhauled through a constituent assembly,
saying it’s a “mockery of the law.”
“I will not allow it...inabuso lahat yan eh ang nananalo ay yong
may pera (it is being abused...only moneyed people win).
Representing what? The security guards?” the President said on
Friday.

Quotation / Quoted Statement

WHAT’S NEXT?
TRANSITIONS
Can be fact, indirect quote or a partial quote
TRANSITIONS

Several fake news that have been recently circulating on social media are serious social
problems that, if not minimized, would split the world apart and would even lead to
chaos, Broadcast Journalist Primy Joy Cane said on December 5.
“The best way for fake news to stop spreading is for people to stop producing [it] on our
side as journalists. On the other half, as readers, users of social media, it could be more
responsible in sharing, researching, reading, [and] triangulating. The most important
thing is, never be afraid to ask,” Cane shared in an interview.
The 30-year-old journalist advised both news producers (writers) and news consumers
(people) to always read the story before immediately sharing it across various social
media sites by applying the triangulation technique in double checking the facts.

Indirect Quotation
TRANSITIONS

Former presidential candidate John McCain will speak to seniors Friday

about his experience as a prisoner of war.
“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when they hear Sen.
McCain,” Principal Ike Sumter said. “We are so excited that he agreed to
come.”
During the Vietnam War, Sen. McCain was a prisoner of war for five
years.

Fact Transition
TRANSITIONS

Former presidential candidate John McCain will speak to seniors Friday

about his experience as a prisoner of war.
“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when they hear Sen.
McCain,” Principal Ike Sumter said. “We are so excited that he agreed to
come.”
Sumter said he “had tears in his eyes” when he heard Sen. McCain
speak about his imprisonment.

Partial Quote Transition

TRANSITION/QUOTE FORMULA
LEAD Most important or recent information.
Advocacy or issue-based angle.

LEAD SUPPORT Connected to the lead. Could be a source

or quotation lead support.

TRANSITION Next important fact of the story.

Transitions could be a fact, indirect

QUOTATION quote or partial quote.

A direct quotation that connects to
the transition. Do not repeat the
TRANSITION transition in the quote. DQ should
elaborate and give details and

QUOTATION opinions on the transition.

AND SO ON, UNTIL THE STORY IS COMPLETE

THE FORMULA

(LEAD)Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain will speak to seniors Friday about his
experience as a prisoner of war.
(LEAD SUPPORT)“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when they hear Sen. McCain,”
Principal Ike Sumter said. “We are so excited that he agreed to come.”
(PARTIAL QUOTE TRANSITION) Sumter said he “had tears in his eyes” when he heard Sen. McCain speak
about his imprisonment.
(QUOTE)“It is amazing what this man survived,” Sumter said. “He was tortured daily, but every day he
told his fellow soldiers to hold their head high. Someone was coming for them.”
(PARTIAL QUOTE TRANSITION) Sen. McCain said the experience was a “living hell,” but he never gave up
hope.
(QUOTE)“I knew I would make it back to American soil one day,” he said. “Hope is always alive, and that
was part of my message as a presidential candidate, too.”

Transition-Quote Formula
THE FORMULA

(LEAD)Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain will speak to seniors Friday about his
experience as a prisoner of war.
(LEAD SUPPORT)“Seniors will learn a lot about duty and commitment when they hear Sen. McCain,”
Principal Ike Sumter said. “We are so excited that he agreed to come.”
(PARTIAL QUOTE TRANSITION) Sumter said he “had tears in his eyes” when he heard Sen. McCain speak
about his imprisonment.
(QUOTE)“It is amazing what this man survived,” Sumter said. “He was tortured daily, but every day he
told his fellow soldiers to hold their head high. Someone was coming for them.”
(PARTIAL QUOTE TRANSITION) Sen. McCain said the experience was a “living hell,” but he never gave up
hope.
(QUOTE)“I knew I would make it back to American soil one day,” he said. “Hope is always alive, and that
was part of my message as a presidential candidate, too.”

Transition-Quote Formula
HEADLINE
WRITING
SUBJECT + VERB
+ OBJECT
HEADLINE WRITING

Rody wants party-lists system abolished

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte intends to abolish the party-list
system when the Constitution is overhauled through a
constituent assembly, saying it’s a “mockery of the law.”
“I will not allow it...inabuso lahat yan ehang nananalo ay yong
may pera (it is being abused...only moneyed people win).
Representing what? The security guards?” the President said on
Friday.
SVO HEADLINES
HEADLINE WRITING

Posibleng bagyo binabantayan ng PAGASA

Tinututukan ngayon ng state weather bureau ang isang low
pressure area (LPA) na posibleng maging bagyo.
Huling namataan ng Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ang sama ng
panahon sa 700 kilometro silangan ng Hilagang Mindanao
kaninang alas-4 ng umaga.
Pilipino Star Ngayon 25 June 2014
SVO HEADLINES
ATTRIBUTED
OR QUOTED
HEADLINES
HEADLINE WRITING
For ‘Illegal’ Rescue Mission
PH to Kuwait: Sorry
THE Philippines on Tuesday apologized to Kuwait for missions
conducted by Filipino embassy staff to rescue two Filipina
workers, viewed by the Gulf state as a violation of its
sovereignty. 
The Manila Times 2018 April 25

ATTRIBUTED HEADLINES
HEADLINE WRITING

‘Dutertenomics’ won’t create jobs – militant groups

ATTRIBUTED HEADLINES
HEADLINE WRITING

‘How dare you call my daughter a foundling’

Susan hits Grace foes

QUOTED HEADLINES
KICKERS &
DECKS
HEADLINE WRITING
For ‘Illegal’ Rescue Mission
PH to Kuwait: Sorry KICKER
THE Philippines on Tuesday apologized to Kuwait for missions
conducted by Filipino embassy staff to rescue two Filipina
workers, viewed by the Gulf state as a violation of its
sovereignty. 
The Manila Times 2018 April 25

KICKERS
HEADLINE WRITING

‘How dare you call my daughter a foundling’

Susan hits Grace foes
DECK / SUBHEAD

DECK
HAMMER
HEADLINE WRITING

LEILA’S DILEMMA
Senator fires back: Character assassination

HAMMER
WHERE TO GET THE
FACTS?
WHAT THE FACT

EXECUTIVE ORDER
WHAT THE FACT

Palace abolishes Negros Island Region in new EO

President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) revoking
the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Duterte signed EO 38 on Monday, revoking EO 183 issued during the

Aquino administration, which created the Negros Island Region—
collapsing into one region Negros Occidental (Region VI) and Negros
Oriental (Region VII) known as the NIR, the 18th and newest region in
the country.
EXECUTIVE ORDER
WHAT THE FACT

REPUBLIC ACT
WHAT THE FACT

Duterte signs law breaking up Palawan into 3 provinces

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the law dividing Palawan into 3
provinces.

Republic Act No. 11259 – signed on April 5 and released about a week later – divides Palawan into
the provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur, with the latter as the
mother province.

The new provinces will be created upon approval of a majority voters in affected areas in a
plebiscite to be conducted and supervised by the Commission on Elections on the second Monday
of May 2020.

Rappler.com REPUBLIC ACT

WHAT THE FACT

Duterte signs law dividing Palawan into 3 provinces

MANILA  - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law dividing western Luzon
tourist haven Palawan into three distinct and independent provinces.

Under Republic Act No. 11259, the province is now divided into Palawan del Norte,
Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur, which shall be the mother province.

"The terrestrial jurisdictions of the newly created provinces shall be within the
present metes and bounds of all the municipalities that comprise the respective
provinces," the law stated.

news.abs-cbn.com REPUBLIC ACT

WHAT THE FACT

Duterte signs law splitting Palawan into 3 provinces

Palawan, the country’s biggest province, is now split into three – Palawan del Norte, Palawan
Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.

President Duterte signed into law the measure dividing Palawan into three provinces last April 5. It
will be effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper.

Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron,
Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay, and El Nido.

news.mb.com.ph REPUBLIC ACT

WHAT THE FACT

Palawan hinati sa 3 lalawigan

BINIYAK sa tatlong probinsya ang Palawan na isa sa kilalang tourist spot sa bansa at pinakamalapit sa
pinag-aagawang teritoryo sa South China Sea o West Philippine Sea.

Nakapaloob ito sa nilagdaang batas ni Pa­ngulong Rodrigo Duterte noong Abril 5, 2019, ang Republic
Act no. 11259 na naghahati sa Palawan bilang Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental at Palawan del
Sur.

Ang Palawan del Sur ang magsisilbing mother province at manga­ngailangan ito ng plebisito para
makuha ang pulso ng mga taga-Palawan kung papayag sila na mahati sa tatlong lalawigan ang
Palawan.

www.abante.com.ph REPUBLIC ACT

WHAT THE FACT

ADVISORY
WHAT THE FACT
Publiko, binalaan kontra pagbili ng Japanese
encephalitis vaccine online
Pinaaalalahanan ang publiko na huwag basta-bastang bumili online o sa social
media ng bakuna kontra Japanese encephalitis.

Sa pahayag na inilabas ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sinabing

maaaring mas mababang kalidad, hindi pasado sa standards, o peke ang
mabiling bakuna mula sa mga nagtitinda online at sa mga hindi awtorisadong
distributor.

ADVISORY
WHAT THE FACT

MEMORANDA
OPEN LETTERS
AND THE LIKE
WHAT THE FACT

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

WHAT THE FACT
Kris Aquino slams Korina Sanchez, Rated
K over James Yap feature
The "Queen of All Media" turned to social media – Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook – to
lash out against her former daytime show co-host Korina Sanchez over a feature that the
latter did on Kris' ex-husband, basketball player James Yap.

"I have really had enough. Simple lang – minsan lang akong pinakiusapan ng kapatid ko –
never para sa sarili niya pero para sa kandidatong inendorso niya. Dahil mahal ko siya,
ginawa ko. Lahat ng batikos ng dahil sa pagtulong na 'yon tinanggap ko... Tatlong beses
akong nagpunta sa Davao – sa kampanya nung 2010, kampanya [nung] 2013 para kay
[Senator Francis Escudero and Senator Grace Poe], at nung nag Kris TV. Si PRRD (President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte), lahat nung pagkakataon na nagkaharap kami, mabuti ang pinakita
sa 'kin," said Kris in a post accompanied by a picture of her with Duterte.
WHAT THE FACT

INTERVIEW
WHAT THE FACT
Rappler boss blames Facebook for political
division, 'fake news'
MANILA - The head of news website Rappler scored Facebook and its
algorithms for sowing political divisions among the public and allowing the
proliferation of online "trolls" and "fake news." 

Facebook's algorithms sharpened disagreements and divisions by making

users only see content that they would agree with, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa
said in an interview on "The Bottomline with Boy Abunda" that aired late
Saturday. 
WHAT THE FACT

SPEECH
WHAT THE FACT
Duterte tells Palarong Pambansa athletes to
stay away from drugs
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – As in many of his past speeches, President Rodrigo Duterte
mentioned his bloody anti-drug campaign when he spoke at the opening ceremony of the
Palarong Pambansa 2019 on Sunday, April 28.

Duterte urged the student-athletes gathered at the University of the Philippines Sports
Complex in Davao City to veer away from drugs, which he said would make a family
crumble.

He also said parents should do their part by encouraging their children to do sports
instead and "keep away from illegal drugs."
 Write. Rewrite. Revise.
Rewrite. Revise. Edit. Revise.
Edit. Edit.
Someone once said:
THERE IS NO GREAT
WRITING, ONLY
GREAT REWRITING.