Writing Techniques: Simple Ways to Write Sharper News and Stories

Most readers decide whether to keep reading in about three seconds. That means your headline and opening line do the heavy lifting. Get them right and you keep attention; get them wrong and your work dies unread. These tips focus on practical moves you can use today to make headlines, ledes, and stories clearer and more compelling.

Headlines that work: Aim for clarity and urgency. Use active verbs, keep it under 70 characters for SEO, and put the main subject first. Numbers help: "5 steps" or "2 ways" tells readers what to expect. Avoid vague words like "things" or "issue." Example: instead of "Storm Causes Damage," try "Damaging Waves Flood Western Cape Coastline."

Master the lede

The lede answers the core question fast: who did what, when, where, why, and how. Start with the most important fact. For breaking news use a summary lede: one sentence, subject first, verb strong. For features, open with a short scene or a surprising fact, then follow with the essentials in the second paragraph.

Quick templates you can reuse:

  • Summary lede: "[Who] [action] [where] [when], [important detail]."
  • Scene lede: "A single line of action that shows the moment, then the facts."
  • Question lede: ask something the story will answer—use sparingly.
Try rewriting a long paragraph into a one-sentence lede using the first template.

Structure and clarity: Use the inverted pyramid for news: start with the must-know, then add important context, then background. Keep sentences short—aim for 15–20 words. One idea per sentence. Use active voice: "The mayor announced" beats "An announcement was made by the mayor." Cut filler words like "very," "clearly," and "actually."

Use quotes and sources well: Pick the quote that adds emotion or a fact you can’t paraphrase. Attribute clearly: put the speaker and role near the quote. If a quote is long, pull one strong sentence out and paraphrase the rest. Always link or name your source for credibility—readers trust named sources more than anonymous ones.

Storytelling and rhythm

Even short news pieces need rhythm. Vary sentence length: a short sentence can deliver a punch after a longer one. Break long blocks with subheads, bullets, or a short quote. Use concrete details—time, place, numbers—to make stories feel real. For features, think in scenes: set the moment, show the conflict, then resolve or explain.

Finally, edit like a reader. After a first draft, cut one-third of words without losing meaning. Read aloud to find clunky spots. Try this: rewrite your headline and lede in under 30 seconds. If they’re sharper, the rest of the story will follow.

By Lesego Lehari, 10 Aug, 2024 / Education

Mastering the Art of Writing Journal Article Summaries: Essential Techniques and Tips

A well-crafted journal article summary distills the main points of a scholarly article, offering a clear and concise overview without delving into excessive detail. This guide explores the techniques and steps necessary to create effective summaries, aiding readers in understanding the core aspects of academic writings swiftly.