Journalism is all about telling a story. Whether that story is about a person, animal, place, or event, a journalist’s duty is to give people the details of the event and provide insight into why they should care about it.
Because of this, learning to write journalism requires you first to know the basics of telling any story, and what extra information you should include to truly capture the reader’s attention.
The first elements of journalism are the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How’s.
Each section usually has a focal point that directly relates to the story － like how a story about Biden’s new Build Back Better Plan would likely highlight President Joe Biden or another Democrat －and, an indirect point that may be affected by the information in the story － like American citizens.
Always keep this in mind when looking for newsworthy content.
Now we’ll have a look at an example story and identify the 5 W’s, 1H in it. Each section is divided into colors to easily identify story placement and flow. Use the tables below to organize your thoughts and structure.
1) WHO is the person of interest?
2) WHAT do they do?
3) WHEN did/will it happen?
4) WHERE did/will it happen?
5)WHY do/did they do it?
6) HOW will it affect other people?
How to Organize Your News Story Using the 5 W’s and 1 H
| WHO is the person of interest? | – Eric Strong, a lieutenant in the LAPD with nearly 30 years of experience. |
| WHAT do they do? | – He’s running for LA County Sheriff – Most of his experience is in risk management and internal affairs Quote: “I think my risk management and internal affairs background lets me say, ‘Yes, there is misconduct,’” said Strong. “There’s no denying it.” |
| WHEN did/will it happen? | – He recently announced it. – It happens in 2022 |
| WHERE did/will it happen? | – LA County |
| WHY do/did they do it? | Quote: “As society goes through stages, so does policing,” said Strong. “I think all too often we try to separate the two, community and police, and that’s part of the problem. This ‘Us vs. Them’ dialogue that has been going on for so long has to change.” – Rebuilding damaged relationships – Community partnership, community oversight and youth outreach will be a priority – Changing policies where force and lethal weapons and tactics are used – Bringing relevant and effective training to impact racial sensitivity, diversity awareness, and implicit biases awareness – Increasing accountability – Ending Croynism |
| HOW will it affect other people? | – He wants to use more body cams which a lot of people have been asking for – LA County will have a new sheriff – If he wins and his plans work, there will be more transparency and possibly better police and citizen interactions Quote: “Many of them go out and buy their own,” Strong states. “They see it as a way of protecting themselves when there’s an incident or complaint.” |
Creating the Story
For learning purposes, copy and paste the following text into a Word or Google Doc. Using the corresponding colors above, highlight each section as you go to get an idea of the 5W’s and 1H. For an overview of how your final outline should look, click the link below.
Journalism Guide for Beginners (Outline)
Photo
Headline: Eric Strong Runs for LA County Sheriff with Close to 30 Years of Experience
Byline (By): Emon Johnson
Story:
Eric Strong, a lieutenant in the LA County Sheriff’s Department, has let it be known that he is running for sheriff in LA County’s 2022 election.
With almost 30 years of LA-based law enforcement and much of his experience coming from working within community-based assignments, internal oversight and accountability positions, Strong believes he brings in a different set of skills that the policing of today’s world needs.
“As society goes through stages, so does policing,” says Strong. “I think all too often we try to separate the two, community and police, and that’s part of the problem. This ‘Us vs. Them’ dialogue that has been going on for so long has to change.”
A supporter of increased transparency between citizens and police, Strong believes it is time that police “give the community what we should have been giving them all along,” he states.
If elected, Strong promises to address several policies and concerns. Putting community first, he states he’ll work towards:
- Rebuilding damaged relationships
- Community partnership, community oversight and youth outreach will be a priority
- Changing policies where force and lethal weapons and tactics are used
- Bringing relevant and effective training to impact racial sensitivity, diversity awareness, and implicit biases awareness
- Increasing accountability
- Ending discriminatory hiring practices
- Ending Croynism
- Having transparency and openness be the cornerstone of all operations
“I think my risk management and internal affairs background lets me say, ‘Yes, there is misconduct,’” said Strong. “There’s no denying it.”
Elaborating, he states, “There are people who make mistakes, and then there is some absolute nefarious conduct. We have to be willing to call it what it is. If a law enforcement officer is out there violating the public trust and intentionally harming people, then they don’t need to be out there with a gun and a badge. We (law enforcement) have to stop trying to make what’s wrong right. We have to do the right thing, plain and simple.
In regards to police misconduct, a question that arises is: How are police using body cameras?
Seven states – Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Carolina – now require law enforcement officers to wear them.
Strong, an advocate of body cameras, states, “If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it, you don’t care if there’s a camera on.”
According to Strong, there are officers from multiple agencies who are also advocates of using body cameras. “Many of them go out and buy their own,” Strong states. “They see it as a way of protecting themselves when there’s an incident or complaint.”
Body cameras, however, may not be as easily accessible as many people think due to funding.
Many cameras range between $800 and $1,000, according to an article published by the California Peace Officers Association.
Several thousands of dollars more are required for data storage, repairs, transcription, copying, and editing.
As LA County Sheriff, Strong’s main plan is, “To get people on both sides to understand, that there shouldn’t be sides. For real change to happen, mutual communication is key.”
With community input as a large component of the development of his plans, he promises to put the community first.
In closing, he states, “It really comes down to respect, dignity, and compassion. That’s the general principle. That, along with a spirit of cooperation, is what we’re going to operate by. It’s not going to be an overnight fix but we’re going to get there.”
For more information or to contact Eric Strong visit www.strong4sheriff.com
