How To Write A News Article

Headlines: subject, verb, object. Simple declaratory sentences.
Who what where when.
The move follows....
3rd/4th para - quotes

If you quote from a press release you have to say "he/she said in a statement" never lift quote without attribution -"speaking to the press"
When writing a quote you should say "said" and then include the date- "said today" "said last night" or "says" without a date
Quotes need to be comment.
Don't use ellipses (...) instead say: he said "quote" adding "quote"

Fact is independently verifiable truth statement. Facts are always in your voice and have to be checked by you.
If you do not have time to check the fact then fudge it - attribute the source of the fact
Never pass off comment as fact.

Subject and verb must agree on tense, case and plurals.
The subject must be capable of producing the action in the verb. The object of the sentence must be able to receive the action of the verb.
"Cat sat on the mat". In the passive voice it would be "the mat was sat on by the cat".

Example of how I applied this system to my own news writing:

In an exclusive WINOL interview, Labour MP candidate Rowenna Davis said that she was “honoured and excited” to have been chosen to replace Southampton Itchen MP John Denham in the 2015 General Election.

When questioned on her Conservative competitor Royston Smith, she said: “I don’t think that this man can govern”, and added that: “he is someone that I will respect and take very seriously, but I do not fear him”.

Davis also said that despite her ties with Portsmouth, if there was a football match between Portsmouth and Southampton, she would “absolutely be wearing Southampton colours”.

The former journalist said that she agreed there needed to be some form of press regulation to prevent the “cartel of media giants” and stop the likelihood of a monopoly in the industry. But she disagreed with party leader Ed Milliband, who has supported the Royal Charter, saying that “the freedom of press is paramount,” adding: “people should be allowed to have their say without being fearful of the state”.

I used a "washing line" intro to start this article as it didn't have a particular news peg to focus upon.

News Writing

What is this this whole “news” thing anyway?
First of all it’s new or it has a “news peg” or some kind of angle. It could be either “hard news” such as crime or politics, or it could be “soft news” such as celebrity or animal centred reports. Essentially it is about people doing things, or in some cases animals and it must always be relevant to the audience.
Why are certain stories reported?
Editorial Reasons: The story must be fresh or exclusive or tap into current obsessions, such as dangerous dogs.  There must be someone to interview, and something to video or to take pictures of, as quotes and images are the “lifeblood” of a story.
Practical Reasons: Is there space for it? Has a similar story been reported recently?

Who, What, Where, When, Why?
The News Pyramid
Intro: this is your TOP LINE so keep it short and sharp, the latest most interesting information.
Two: Elaboration of other elements, adding colour to the story
Three: Chronology, more detail, why did it happen?
Four: More detail, loose ends

Key Elements to Remember:
* It’s about people, so make that your top line (animal if it’s an animal story)
* Have an angle, don’t be passive!
* Be objective, don’t give your opinion, let the audience draw their own conclusions
* Don’t start with a question, you’re giving them the information, not interrogating them
* One idea per sentence and keep them short, 20 to 25 words maximum
* Leave the gobbledygook at home, if you don’t know what it means your audience wont either

Most of all make sure the story is true, check your facts and keep it balanced.