Writing a newspaper and newspaper features - BBC Bitesize (2024)

Newspapers are designed to share important information with people about what is going on in the world.

Familiarise yourself with newspaper reports by watching this fun video.

• Newspaper name

The name of the newspaper is always at the top of the page.

• Headline

A headline is an eye-catching title for your story, which summarises the information in just a few words. Newspapers often use alliteration to make their headlines sound really interesting.

• Short subtitle

The subtitle is a short title that gives more information about the report.

• Pictures

Pictures usually have captions beneath them to explain what is being shown.

• Conclusion paragraph

The conclusion paragraph can explain what might happen next.

• 5Ws

The first paragraph should contain all of the 5Ws - what, where, when, who and why.

• Clear paragraphs

Each paragraph should give more detail about the story and be presented in a clear way.

• Direct and indirect/reported speech

Can be used to show the what other people have said about the story.

• Facts

Facts or statistics can be used to support your points and avoid using your own opinion.

• Formal language

Avoid chatty, friendly language in your report as it should be written to inform.

• Third person

Newspaper reports are written in the third person using the names of those involved and pronouns such as ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’.

• Past tense

The main part of the report should be written in the past as the event has already happened.

Read this Newsround report about Indian tigers.

Then answer the five questions below.‎

1. What is the report about? ‎

2. Who is involved in the story? ‎

3. When did the events take place? ‎

4. Where did the events take place? ‎

5. Why is this happening? ‎

Read this news article all about an incredible eight-mile wall of prehistoric paintings. Then answer the following questions:

1. What is the first thing at the very top of the page?
2. Does the first paragraph give away all the information about the story? Why do you think this is?
3. Is the article written in the past tense? Find a verb to prove this.
4. Find an example where a quote is used in the article. Does it express a fact or an opinion?
5. Does the article answer the 5 Ws: what, when, who, where, why?
6. What do the following bold phrases from the article suggest?
   The paintings are believed to be at least 12,500 years old.
   It hasn’t been confirmed who made the drawings but some people think they could have been…

You can check your answers using this answer sheet.

Choose one of these Newsround reports to watch.

What needs to be done to get more girls into motorsport?

Six-year-old boy’s space ambition ‘inspires’ NASA

Now, imagine you are a journalist reporting on the same story. Write a well-structured, informative newspaper report about that story.

Top tip!

Remember to plan before you write!

• What is the name of your newspaper?
• What is the headline of your article?
• Plan the 5 Ws to use in your introduction
• Think about your three main paragraphs. What will the main point be in each one?
• What quotations will you include?
• How will you end your article?

Top tip!

Remember to plan before you write!

• What is the name of your newspaper?
• What is the headline of your article?
• Plan the 5 Ws to use in your introduction
• Think about your three main paragraphs. What will the main point be in each one?
• What quotations will you include?
• How will you end your article?

Challenge

In your closing paragraph, can you include a sentence that looks forward to the future?