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Writing a news report in English is a valuable skill that helps students learn how to present real information in a clear, simple, and structured way. Unlike stories or essays, news reports are based on facts, not opinions. They teach students how to observe events, organize details using the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How), and write in a formal tone. Learning this skill improves grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall English writing ability. It also builds confidence in communication and helps in school assignments, exams, and future careers.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to write news report in the easiest way, and we also add samples, tips, and checklists to help you practice and write better news reports.
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What is a News Report?
A news report is a short, factual piece of writing that tells readers about a real event or incident that has recently happened. It is written in a formal and clear way to give important information to the public. A news report answers six main questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How – this is called the 5Ws and 1H method.
Unlike stories or essays, a news report does not include personal opinions or emotions. It only shares true facts, quotes from people involved, and details about the event. News reports are commonly found in newspapers, websites, magazines, and school bulletins. They help people stay informed about what is happening around them in schools, communities, cities, or the world.
Here are some important points about a News Report:
- Based on real events: Only true, verified facts are included, no fiction or imagination.
- Uses the 5Ws and 1H: It answers Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
- Follows a clear format: Headline → Byline → Date/Place → Lead → Body → Conclusion.
- Formal and simple language: It avoids slang and is written in third person (he, she, they).
- No personal opinions: A news report must be neutral and objective.
- Often includes quotes: Statements from people involved make the report more authentic.
- Written in past tense: Because the event has already happened.
- Purpose is to inform: It helps readers stay updated with what is happening around them.
Features of a Good News Report
A good news report is clear, accurate, and interesting to read. It follows a proper format and gives complete information about a real event. Whether you’re writing for a school magazine or a class assignment, make sure your news report includes the following important features:
| Feature | Description | Example |
| Headline | Short, catchy title that tells the main idea in 5–10 words | “Students Celebrate Earth Day with Tree Drive” |
| Byline | Name of the reporter, often includes date and place | By Aryan Mehta |
| Lead Paragraph | First paragraph that answers 5Ws and 1H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How | Students of Class 10 held a Science Fair… |
| Factual Content | Only real, verified facts; no opinions or personal feelings | Uses names, dates, and places correctly |
| Third-person Writing | Written using he, she, they; avoids “I” or “we” | The students organized… |
| Clear Structure | Uses inverted pyramid format, important information first, then details | Begins with main event, ends with extra facts |
| Direct Quotes | Includes statements from people involved to make it more authentic | “We enjoyed the event,” said a student. |
| Simple Language | Easy words, formal tone, no slang; written in past tense | The event was held in the school hall. |
| Short Paragraphs | Breaks content into small 2–3 line paragraphs for better reading | Each paragraph has one main point |
Also Read: Examples, Format, and Rules on Precis Writing
Structure of a News Report
A good news report follows a fixed structure. This helps the reader quickly understand the main points and details of the event. The structure is usually based on the inverted pyramid style, where the most important information comes first, followed by supporting details.
Here is the correct structure of a news report:
| S.No | Part of Report | What to Include | Purpose |
| 1 | Headline | A short, catchy title that tells the main idea in 5–10 words | To grab attention and show what the report is about |
| 2 | Byline | Name of the reporter, and sometimes the date and place | To credit the writer and show when/where it happened |
| 3 | Lead Paragraph | First paragraph with the 5Ws and 1H – Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How | To give the reader the most important facts right away |
| 4 | Body Paragraphs | More details about the event, background information, direct quotes, and people involved | To explain the event clearly and completely |
| 5 | Conclusion | Final remarks, future updates, outcomes, or reactions | To wrap up the report and give closing information |
Must Read: Report Writing
Types of News Reports
News reports are written to inform people about real events. But not all news reports are the same. They are written in different styles depending on the topic, purpose, and audience. Here are the main types of news reports every student should know:
| Type of News Report | What It Covers | Example |
| Hard News | Serious, factual news about events like crime, accidents, politics, or disasters | “Flood Hits City, Over 200 Homes Affected” |
| Soft News | Light or human-interest stories, often feel-good or emotional | “Local Boy Wins National Art Contest” |
| Investigative Report | Deep research-based reporting that uncovers hidden facts or wrongdoing | “School Funds Misused, Probe Underway” |
| Sports Report | News about matches, scores, athletes, and sports events | “India Wins Cricket Series Against Australia” |
| Weather Report | Information about daily or weekly weather conditions | “Rain Expected Across Northern States This Weekend” |
| Political Report | News related to government, elections, leaders, and public policies | “New Education Policy Announced by Government” |
| Crime Report | Covers thefts, robberies, court cases, and police investigations | “Man Arrested in School Laptop Theft Case” |
| Business Report | Updates on the economy, markets, companies, and finance | “Petrol Prices Rise as Oil Costs Go Up Globally” |
| Entertainment Report | News about films, TV shows, celebrities, music, and pop culture | “Actor Launches New Film at International Film Festival” |
| Education Report | Covers school events, results, student activities, or educational policies | “School Hosts Annual Science Exhibition for All Grades” |
Also Read: Types of Words in English Grammar with Examples
How to Write a News Report Step by Step
Writing a news report becomes easy when you follow the right steps. Whether it’s for a school event, class assignment, or competition, the goal is to inform readers using real facts in a clear and organized way. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for how to write news report for students:
Step 1: Choose a Newsworthy Topic
Pick an event that really happened and is important to others. It can be a school event (like a sports day or science fair), something that happened in your area, or a national news topic. Also, make sure the topic is recent, real, and interesting to readers.
Step 2: Gather All the Facts
Use the 5Ws and 1H method:
- Who was involved?
- What happened?
- When did it happen?
- Where did it happen?
- Why did it happen?
- How did it happen?
Also collect:
- Quotes from people involved (students, teachers, witnesses)
- Any numbers, dates, or other details
- Background information, if needed
Step 3: Write a Catchy Headline
Your headline should:
- Be short and clear (5–10 words)
- Tell the main idea of the report
- Catch the reader’s attention
- Not use full stops
Example: “Students Celebrate Independence Day with Flag Parade”
Step 4: Add the Byline
Mention the name of the person writing the report and sometimes the place and date.
Format: By [Your Name] | [Date] | [Place]
Example: By Riya Sharma | July 14, 2025 | Lucknow
Step 5: Start with the Lead Paragraph
This is the first paragraph of your report. Include the 5Ws and 1H here in just 2–3 lines. It gives the most important information quickly.
Example: Over 400 students of Sunrise School in Lucknow participated in a cultural program on July 13, 2025, to celebrate Independence Day.
Step 6: Write the Body Paragraphs
Here you explain the event in detail. Add:
- What happened before, during, and after the event
- Direct quotes from students, teachers, or guests
- Any interesting facts or observations
- Short paragraphs (2–3 lines each)
Example: The Principal gave a speech on the importance of freedom. “Such events help students learn about our country’s history,” she said. Students performed patriotic songs and dances.
Step 7: End with a Strong Conclusion
Wrap up your report by mentioning:
- How the event ended
- Future plans or outcomes
- How people reacted
Example: The program ended with the national anthem. Students and teachers said it was a memorable day.
Sample News Report 1 – School Event
| Headline: City Public School Organizes Annual Science Fair Byline: By Aarav Kapoor | July 12, 2025 | New Delhi Lead Paragraph: City Public School, New Delhi, held its Annual Science Fair on July 11, 2025, where students displayed over 100 science models to promote creativity and innovation. Body Paragraphs: The fair was inaugurated by the school principal, Mrs. Anita Mehra, who appreciated the efforts of students and teachers. Students from Classes 6 to 10 participated and presented models on topics like solar energy, smart farming, and water conservation. A Class 8 student, Mehak Gupta, said, “We enjoyed making our project on rainwater harvesting. It was fun and educational.” Parents, guests, and teachers visited the stalls and interacted with the students. The best models were awarded certificates and prizes. Teachers helped guide the students during the preparation and explained the importance of practical learning. Conclusion: The fair ended with a vote of thanks and a promise to hold similar events every year. The principal said such activities build confidence and scientific interest in young minds. |
Sample News Report 2 – Local Community News
| Headline: Youth Volunteers Clean Local Park on Sunday Morning Byline: By Sneha Verma | July 13, 2025 | Bhopal Lead Paragraph: A group of young volunteers in Bhopal cleaned Nehru Park on Sunday, July 13, as part of a community cleanliness campaign. Body Paragraphs: More than 30 students from nearby schools joined hands to remove garbage and plant saplings in the park area. The campaign began at 7:00 AM and continued for two hours. The event was supported by the local municipal body.“We want to keep our environment clean and green,” said Rahul, a student volunteer. Many people appreciated the youth’s efforts and promised to keep the park clean in the future. The students wore gloves and carried garbage bags as they cleaned walking paths and collected plastic waste. Teachers and parents also joined the children in the activity. Conclusion: The volunteers said they plan to organize similar clean-up drives every month. The local MLA also praised the students and offered to support future projects. |
Also Read: Story Writing
Important Tips for How to Write News Report
Writing a news report is easy when you follow the right steps and keep a few important tips in mind. These important tips for how to write news report will help you write better, clearer, and more professional reports:
- Stick to the Facts: Write only what is true. Never make up information. Check the facts before you include them in your report.
- Use the 5Ws and 1H: Your report must answer Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. These make your report complete and informative.
- Write in Past Tense: Most events you report have already happened. So, always write in the past tense to match the time of the event.
- Use Third Person: Avoid using “I” or “we.” Use third-person words like “he,” “she,” “they,” or the names of people to keep the report formal and objective.
- Keep the Language Simple: Use easy-to-understand words and short sentences. This helps everyone, even younger readers, understand your report.
- Use Short Paragraphs: Write in 2–3 line paragraphs. It makes your report look neat and easier to read.
- Create a Strong Headline: The headline should be short (5–10 words), clear, and attention-grabbing. Don’t use full stops or unnecessary words.
- Include Direct Quotes: Add at least one or two quotes from people involved. This makes your report feel real and shows what others said.
- Follow the Correct Format: Use the proper structure: Headline → Byline → Lead → Body → Conclusion. This keeps your report organized.
- Avoid Personal Opinions: A news report should not include what you feel or think. Write only what happened, not what you believe.
- Check Grammar and Spelling: Always re-read your report. Fix any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes before you submit.
- Be Clear and Brief: Don’t add extra or unrelated information. Focus only on the event and what the reader needs to know.
Also Read: How to Write English Composition: A Comprehensive Guide
FAQs
To start a news report, begin with a short and clear headline that tells the main idea of the news. Then write a lead paragraph that answers the 5Ws and 1H—Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How—in just 2–3 lines. This gives the reader the most important information right at the beginning in a simple and direct way.
The 12 steps of news writing include:
(1) Choose a real and newsworthy topic,
(2) Research and collect facts,
(3) Use the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How),
(4) Write a short and clear headline,
(5) Add a byline with your name, date, and place,
(6) Start with a lead paragraph giving the main details,
(7) Write body paragraphs with more information and quotes,
(8) Use simple language and short sentences,
(9) Write in past tense and third person,
(10) Avoid personal opinions,
(11) Check grammar and spelling, and
(12) Follow the correct format and revise before submitting
The basic news writing format includes five main parts: Headline, Byline, Lead, Body, and Conclusion. The headline is the title that tells what the news is about. The byline includes the writer’s name and sometimes the place and date. The lead paragraph gives the main facts using the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How). The body gives more details, quotes, and background. The conclusion ends the report with the final outcome or future plans. This format helps make the report clear, complete, and easy to read.
To start a report, begin with a headline that clearly tells what the report is about in a short and catchy way. Then, write a byline with your name, the date, and the place of the event. After that, write the lead paragraph, which should include the most important details using the 5Ws and 1H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How — in just 2–3 simple lines. This helps readers understand the main news quickly.
The ABC of news writing stands for Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity. It means a news report should be accurate (based only on true facts), brief (short and to the point), and clear (easy to understand). These three rules help make a news report trustworthy, simple, and effective for readers.
To write a TV report, first gather all the important facts using the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How). Then write a short script using simple, clear language that sounds natural when spoken. Start with a strong opening line to grab attention, give the main information early, add quotes or visuals if needed, and end with a short conclusion. Always keep it brief, to the point, and suitable for the audience watching it.
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