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Master the Essentials of News Writing: A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide

• Published: November 28, 2023
• By: Yellowbrick

In today’s digital age, where information spreads at lightning speed, the demand for well-written news articles is higher than ever. Whether you aspire to be a journalist, a content writer or simply want to improve your writing skills, understanding the basics of news writing is crucial. In this comprehensive beginner’s guide, we will delve into the fundamental principles of news writing, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you craft compelling and informative news articles.

1. Understand the News Writing Structure

News writing follows a specific structure known as the inverted pyramid. This means that the most important information is presented at the beginning of the article, followed by supporting details in descending order of importance. This structure allows readers to quickly grasp the key points of the story, even if they only read the first few paragraphs.

2. Grab the Reader’s Attention with a Strong Headline

A captivating headline is essential to grab the reader’s attention and entice them to click and read the full article. It should be concise, informative, and engaging, giving readers a glimpse of what to expect. Avoid clickbait tactics and strive for accuracy and authenticity in your headlines.

3. Write a Compelling Lead

The lead, also known as the lede, is the opening paragraph of a news article. It should summarize the most important aspects of the story and entice the reader to continue reading. A strong lead is concise, engaging, and answers the key questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how.

4. Stick to the Facts

News writing is based on facts, not opinions. It is crucial to present accurate information and verify your sources. Double-check names, dates, and statistics to ensure the credibility of your article. Avoid biased language and present multiple perspectives when appropriate.

5. Use Clear and Concise Language

News articles should be written in a clear and concise manner. Avoid jargon, technical terms, and complex sentences that may confuse the reader. Use simple, everyday language that is easily understood by a wide audience.

6. Maintain Objectivity

Objectivity is a cornerstone of news writing. Present the facts without bias or personal opinions. Remain neutral and avoid inserting your own views into the article. Let the readers draw their own conclusions based on the information you provide.

7. Write for the Web

In the digital age, news articles are primarily consumed online. When writing for the web, consider the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your article to improve its visibility in search engine results. Additionally, use subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your article scannable and easily digestible.

8. Fact-Check and Edit

Before publishing your news article, take the time to fact-check your information and edit for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors. Ensure that your article adheres to the publication’s style guide and follows proper journalistic ethics.

9. Develop Your News Writing Skills

Becoming a skilled news writer takes practice. Read articles from reputable news sources to familiarize yourself with different writing styles and techniques. Consider taking a news writing course, such as the one offered by Yellowbrick, to further enhance your skills and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.

10. Stay Informed and Adapt

The world of news writing is constantly evolving. Stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and changes in the industry. Adapt your writing style to suit different platforms and audiences. Embrace new technologies and storytelling techniques to engage and captivate your readers.

By mastering the essentials of news writing, you will be equipped with the skills needed to excel in the fast-paced and dynamic field of journalism. Practice regularly, seek feedback, and never stop learning. Whether you aim to work for prestigious news organizations like NYU or forge your own path, the power of effective news writing will open doors and help you make a lasting impact in the world of media and communication.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the structure of news writing, such as the inverted pyramid, is essential for presenting information effectively.
• Crafting strong headlines and leads helps grab readers’ attention and entices them to continue reading.
• Maintaining objectivity and sticking to the facts are crucial aspects of news writing.
• Using clear and concise language ensures that your articles are easily understood by a wide audience.
• Writing for the web requires incorporating SEO techniques and making your content scannable.
• Fact-checking, editing, and following journalistic ethics are important steps before publishing your news articles.
• Developing your news writing skills through reading, practice, and additional courses like the one offered by Yellowbrick can enhance your abilities.
• Staying informed, adapting to changes, and embracing new technologies are necessary to thrive in the evolving field of news writing.

To further enhance your news writing skills and gain valuable insights from industry professionals, consider enrolling in the NYU | Modern Journalism online course and certificate program offered by Yellowbrick. This program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of modern journalism, including news writing, storytelling techniques, and digital media strategies. By investing in your education and continuously honing your skills, you can position yourself for success in the dynamic world of news writing.

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How to Create a Newspaper Article: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you passionate about writing and want to create your own newspaper article look no further in this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of crafting an engaging and well-structured article that grabs readers’ attention. let’s get started.

1. Determine your Topic

The first step in creating a newspaper article is to choose a topic that you find interesting and relevant. Consider current events, local news, or a topic within your area of expertise. By selecting a compelling topic, you’ll be more enthusiastic about the writing process and engage your readers.

2. Do Thorough Research

Before you start writing, gather as much information as possible about your chosen topic. Conduct in-depth research through trusted sources such as news portals, interviews, books, or academic papers. Collect relevant facts, statistics, and quotes that support your article’s main points.

3. Plan Your Article Structure

Organizing your article is crucial to ensure clarity and coherence. Outline the key sections and their order: introduction, main body, and conclusion. Within the main body, break down your content into several logical paragraphs that address different aspects of your topic.

4. Write a Captivating Headline

A compelling headline can make or break your article’s success. Craft a concise and attention-grabbing headline that accurately represents the main idea of your article. Use strong and descriptive language to stimulate curiosity and entice readers to continue reading.

5. Start with a Powerful Introduction

In the introduction, aim to hook your readers and provide a brief overview of what your article will cover. Use strong opening sentences to capture their attention and make them want to delve deeper into the content. Introduce your topic and its significance in an engaging manner.

6. Develop the Main Body

In this section, elaborate on the key points you want to convey. Organize your paragraphs logically, each dedicated to a specific subtopic or argument. Ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs by using transition words. Support your claims with evidence, quotes, and relevant examples.

7. Maintain a Balanced Tone

When writing a newspaper article, it’s important to maintain an objective and unbiased tone. Present the facts in a clear and concise manner, avoiding personal opinions or unnecessary exaggeration. Stick to the facts and ensure your article is credible and trustworthy.

8. Conclude with Impact

In the conclusion, summarize the main points you’ve discussed in the article. Provide a concise analysis or evaluation of the topic, encouraging readers to reflect on the information presented. Leave a lasting impression on your audience with a thought-provoking ending.

9. Proofread and Edit

Before publishing your newspaper article, take time to proofread and edit your work. Check for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear sentences. Ensure your article flows smoothly and make necessary revisions to enhance its readability.

10. Add Visuals and Engaging Elements

Enhance the appeal of your article by incorporating visuals such as relevant images, infographics, or charts. Visual elements can help convey information more effectively and captivate readers. Additionally, consider adding hyperlinks to reputable sources to provide further reading options.

Creating a newspaper article involves careful planning, thorough research, and engaging writing. By following these step-by-step guidelines , you’ll be on your way to crafting a compelling article that informs and captivates your audience. So go ahead and let your journalistic creativity shine!

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How to Write a News Article That's Effective

It's similar to writing academic papers, but with vital differences

• Writing Research Papers
• Writing Essays
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Techniques for writing a news article differ from those needed for academic papers. Whether you're interested in writing for a school newspaper, fulfilling a requirement for a class, or seeking a writing job in journalism, you'll need to know the difference. To write like a real reporter, consider this guide for how to write a news article.

Choose Your Topic

First, you must decide what to write about. Sometimes an editor or instructor will give you assignments, but you’ll often have to find your own topics to cover.

If you get to choose your topic, you might be able to pick a subject related to your personal experience or family history, which would give you a strong framework and a dose of perspective. However, this route means you must work to avoid bias—you may have strong opinions that could affect your conclusions. You also could pick a topic that revolves around a personal interest, such as your favorite sport.

Research for Your News Article

Even if you end up with a topic close to your heart, you should begin with research, using books and articles that will give you a full understanding of the subject. Go to the library and find background information about people, organizations, and events you intend to cover.

Next, interview a few people to collect more information and quotes that give perspective on the topic. Don't be intimidated by the idea of interviewing important or newsworthy people—an interview can be as formal or informal as you want to make it, so relax and have fun with it. Find people with backgrounds in the topic and strong opinions, and carefully write down or record their responses for accuracy. Let the interviewees know that you will be quoting them.

Parts of a News Article

Before you write your first draft, you should be aware of the parts that make up a news story:

Headline or title

The headline  of your article should be catchy and to the point. You should punctuate your title using Associated Press style guidelines unless your publication specifies something else. Other members of the publication staff frequently write the headlines, but this will help focus your thoughts and maybe save those other staffers some time.

• "Lost dog finds his way home"
• "Debate tonight in Jasper Hall"
• "Panel chooses 3 essay winners"

The byline is the name of the writer—your name, in this case.

Lead (sometimes written "lede")

The lead is the first sentence or paragraph, written to provide a preview of the entire article. It summarizes the story and includes many of the basic facts. The lead will help readers decide if they want to read the rest of the news article or if they are satisfied knowing these details.

Once you’ve set the stage with a good lead, follow up with a well-written story that contains facts from your research and quotes from people you’ve interviewed. The article should not contain your opinions. Detail any events in chronological order. Use the active voice —not passive voice —when possible, and write in clear, short, direct sentences.

In a news article, you should use the inverted pyramid format—putting the most critical information in the early paragraphs and following with supporting information. This ensures that the reader sees the important details first. Hopefully they'll be intrigued enough to continue to the end.

The sources

Include your sources in the body with the information and quotes they provide. This is different from academic papers, where you would add these at the end of the piece.

Your conclusion can be your last bit of information, a summary, or a carefully chosen quote to leave the reader with a strong sense of your story.

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How to make your own newspaper

Have you ever wondered how to make a newspaper? From finding a topic, interviewing people, writing the articles, printing it, to distribution, this entire process is not an easy one. Luckily, you landed in the perfect place for such an endeavor. And without bragging too much, you just stumbled upon a free newspaper maker that can ease out the process. Yes, it’s called Flipsnack.

Stay tuned till the end, we got some free newspaper template you might want to use. Sounds good? Read on!

With the help of an ever-evolving technological landscape, nowadays sharing the news has become a much easier job. 

But, have you ever wondered how newspapers appeared? Let’s take a walk back in time.

A brief history of newspapers

Newspapers… keeping you up to date since ancient times. People have long shared the news via word-of-mouth but as the language evolved into writing and literacy – and governments played a bigger role in people’s lives – circulating information on a larger scale became a necessity. One of the earliest publications that could be described as a daily newspaper appeared in Rome around 69 B.C. It was a primitive news sheet called Acta Diurna (acts of the day) and described the activities of the Roman Senate.

To answer the aforementioned question, the first newspapers appeared in Germany in 1609. They distinguished themselves from other printed material by being published regularly. They reported on a variety of current events to a broad public audience. Within a few decades, newspapers could be found in all the major cities of Europe, from Venice to London. 

Shortly after, newspapers became the main source of information and started to play a significant role in shaping our political views. In the 1920s and 30s, when radio adoption was growing and organizations started broadcasting news over radio transmission, the newspaper industry went through a rapid decline. Then in the 50s when television became the main medium to influence public opinion, news formats broadcasted on television became a lot more engaging when compared to print or radio. 

However, while both these mediums did have an impact on newspapers initially, the print didn’t face a major threat from either of them. In fact, the newspaper industry continued to grow. The most significant change faced by the newspaper industry happened in the last 20-25 years. The rapid rise of digital media has had devastating effects on newspapers worldwide.

Nowadays with the help of resourcefulness of social media, news achieved a life of its own online. The media organizations partly lost control over the diffusion process, and simultaneously individuals gained more freedom of speech and became opinion leaders for others. All this while asking themselves how to make a newspaper from scratch, and be their own editor in chief. 

Flipsnack: Your online newspaper maker

Today, finding a publication you resonate with, it’s not an easy job. I look around and I see people craving to write on their terms. I see new voices tossing and turning into different writing worlds, trying to find solid ground.

If you are an avid writer, looking to find ways to create your own newspaper, we’re here to help you get started.

But not only. The magic of online newspapers is that you can use them for a variety of purposes. For example, if you have your own real estate business and you’re looking for creative ways to keep an authentic relationship with your audience, making your own real estate newspaper online could be a really good marketing tool.

Also, using newspapers in schools is a well-known educational method proven to help kids find their passion for writing.

Whether you are a high schooler, a real estate expert, a financial planner, or an independent journalist, creating your free newspaper on Flipsnack has never been easier. This article will help you kickstart your dream by giving you valuable tips for creating, publishing, and distributing your newspaper.

My own story

Being a journalist is not a walk in the park, I can say that from my own experience. My love for putting pen to paper started early. I always loved telling stories that can change the world so, choosing journalism as a career path was an obvious option for me. 

I started working in television when I was 20 years old, interviewing Holocaust survivors, child prodigies, and shared stories with a diverse audience. But still, finding my voice was challenging. If you are a creative person and you prefer choosing your topics, conforming to an institutional agenda it’s difficult.

That is why taking the plunge and going freelance is a great alternative. But you can do that now, with Flipsnack. You can learn how to make a newspaper and kickstart your dream of becoming an independent journalist. 

Competing with big media agencies it’s not an easy task. You need a compelling layout and we can help you with that. Here is an example of a recent newspaper I created by using one of our many templates.

Choose a timely agenda 

The first thing you need to have in mind when you are creating your own newspaper is to identify your topics. Everything worth saying has already been said. Decide what the focus of your newspaper will be and the unique perspective that will set your newspaper apart. 

 In this case, the topic I approached is a current one. Choosing a timely subject is essential for you and your audience. People need and want to be informed. The social impact of COVID-19 is powerful. Coronavirus will continue to change our lives in many ways and the film sector is adversely affected. In a scenario where social distancing is the norm, multiplexes could be a thing of the past and drive-in theatres could soon become a reality.

People need to know about these alternatives and, your role, as a journalist is to provide well-documented information. 

Choose relevant pictures

Imagine a newspaper without pictures. It would be a boring one. Images have the power to balance the text and help you convey a clear message. If you want to create a stronger article be sure to select relevant ones. Pictures should work with your text. Don’t stop at using eye-catching images. The picture needs to work with your text for overall appeal. For instance, a statistical graphic could come in handy for a financial article; on the other hand, an emotional shot works with an inspirational piece for your high-school newspaper. Also if you choose to create a real estate newspaper to attract your audience be sure to add close up shots and wide ones.

Free newspaper templates you can use

With Flipsnack your options are multiple. You do not have to be an experienced journalist to create your own headline and story. With the help of our newspaper templates, you can surprise friends and colleagues, send a unique birthday greeting or promote your business by publishing your real estate or financial newspaper.

Here are some free newspaper templates you might want to use:

Elegant Real Estate Newspaper Template

If you want to take your real estate game to the next level you might be interested in this real estate newspaper template. Keep your readers or your potential clients up to date with the latest property listings, articles related to the industry, and valuations from the commercial property market. 

This professionally designed template has the right amount of text columns, waiting to be filled with valuable information. Also, do not forget to select the Coustard font for a more authentic look.

If you wanna know more about impactful newspaper fonts for your headline check out this article.

Classic Classroom Newspaper Template

School newspapers are more than just a platform that disseminates information and content relevant to the student community.

They represent a platform for student voices to be heard, making them an essential part of the school ecosystem.  If you are searching for some authentic layouts, here at Flipsnack we have plenty of classroom newspaper templates you can start with. You just have to choose some timely school magazine topics , maybe you can write about ways to learn faster or an article about a teacher that serves as a role model. The themes are diverse, you can get creative. Furthermore, this friendly-looking template lets you add relevant photos that could work with your text. Anything on this school newspaper template is completely editable. The same goes for all Flipsnack templates. With just a few clicks, this classroom newspaper goes from a simple template to an editorial masterpiece.

Newspaper Layout Design Template

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced journalist trying to attract public attention and engage your audience is not an easy job. You need an amazing presentation and we can help you with that. By using this editable newspaper layout template you can definitely impress and inform your readers. Write about a wide range of topics: medicine, art, politics, recent trends. Add your well-documented content and take advantage of this professional design layout. Insert captions, links, or even change the fonts. Be your own editor-in-chief by using Flipsnack.

Colorful School Newspaper Template

Trying to finish your school presentation but not having the know-how in creating a newspaper can be a daunting task for any student. That is why we designed this colorful school newspaper template.  The aesthetically- pleasing graphics, the well-distributed text columns, and the multicolored design,  are a great match for a successful school project. Write your story, add some photos, and impress your colleague. 

Modern Business Newspaper Template

Be a relevant voice in the business industry and use this modern business newspaper template. The overall design pays tribute to classic newspapers but gives it a modern twist. Share the latest financial, market& economic news with your audience by choosing this template. When you’re done, you can publish it online. So easy!

It might sound a bit surprising but learning how to make a newspaper does not apply to journalists only. From the very beginning, newspapers were a great way to inform people. Nowadays, many professionals are making use of newspapers to build their personal brand, to keep their employees on the same page with a well designed internal newspaper, or to develop their writing skills during school. No matter the purpose, Flipsnack is your ultimate newspaper maker that can make your projects come to life easily. Use it and share your newspapers with us.

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Newspaper Templates

40 best newspaper & news article templates (free).

Currently, there are more newspapers available in the market than ever. It is important to spread information to the masses, but it must be quality and attractive. For a newspaper to the attractive, its design matters, including the fonts used, images, and arrangement of columns. It’s not easy to create a striking newspaper design from scratch, but there are many newspaper templates online you can use. Whether you are creating a university or a classical newspaper, you do not need to hire a designer to create templates for you. The templates are already designed and all that you need to do is fill them with information.

Table of Contents

• 1 Newspaper Templates
• 2 How do you write a newspaper article?
• 3 News Article Templates
• 4 How can I make my own newspaper?
• 5 Old Newspaper Templates
• 6.1 Readability
• 6.2 What to include on the cover page
• 6.3 Use a news article template to help you design an attractive cover page
• 7 Fake Newspaper Templates
• 8.1 Broadsheet
• 8.2 Tabloid
• 8.3 Printed newspapers
• 8.4 Digital newspapers
• 8.5 Newspapers according to their frequency
• 8.6 Newspapers according to content
• 8.7 Newspapers according to the scope of information

How do you write a newspaper article?

Newspaper articles present content in a specific design different from other types of article content. Each column is restricted to a limited word count and type of information. You must be able to summarize the content and communicate it to your audience clearly. The following details will help you write a newspaper article. It’s easier to work using a news article template than designing from scratch.

Plan your news article

At this phase, ask yourself questions that will help you create a news article that is relevant to your audience. For any piece of a news article you write, ensure the news article template answers these questions correctly – Who, What, Where, Why, When and How.

Find information to answer your questions

To answer every question correctly, you need to get the right information. Take time to research widely using different methods of research. You may interview people, read books, research online, etc. Depending on the number of words you are writing, you may give more details for each question or a summary.

Prepare your facts

Each question is answered based on facts. You may have researched widely and gathered broad-based information. You need to narrow it down to the important points.

Break it as follows:

• What information is relevant to be included in the news article template?
• Which information is not crucial but looks interesting?
• Which information is related to the question but is not directly relevant?

Be specific on the information you provide while ensuring you don’t leave out what is most relevant. At this point, check if your information has any loopholes and correct them.

Create the outline

To help you build your story well, the structure of your article outline should look like an inverted triangle. The first sentence you write in your article should be your lead or the base upon which the rest of the information will be built.

Give your audience the most important information first, followed by what is less important. Most readers don’t read to the end of the article, but if you encourage them with attractive information at the beginning, they will read further to the end.

Write to your audience

A great article addresses a specific audience. For example, if you are writing to students, write information that students will find relevant to them. Address student issues such as student gossip, fashion, academic writing , savings, etc. Revisit the 5 Ws and answer each specific question to your audience.

Make your article unique

To make your news article unique, choose the right language/tone that targets your audience. Find a hook that makes the article unique to you. Even when you are writing a story that everyone else is writing about, the tone or language voice you use can make your news article distinct.

News Article Templates

How can I make my own newspaper?

The most important thing when creating your own newspaper is to know your niche and to have the right newspaper format. The old newspaper template will work for any type of newspaper. These are the steps to follow.

• Choose your format. Even when you have an old newspaper template, you still have to decide on the two main formats – the broadsheet and tabloid format. Understand the kind of news covered in each format but more so, choose a format that your audience will love.
• Decide why you want to create a newspaper. Every type of newspaper has a specific purpose it meets. You might want to create a paper that keeps the local community updated with local news. You might create a paper that focuses on student issues, regional news, national, etc. Your audience is very important when deciding the purpose. If your audience is students, the purpose should be student-driven. When the audience is the local community, the purpose should be community-driven.
• Decide your newspaper frequency. The newspaper frequency depends on the topics you want to cover or how wide and fast you can collect information. You can decide to publish your papers daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, semiannually, or annually. The amount of work involved, such as researching, writing, editing, publishing, and distribution, will help you decide how often to publish your newspapers.
• Decide how wide your newspaper will be circulated. How wide to circulate your newspaper will depend on the type of paper you will publish. If you opt for digital paper, you can circulate worldwide if the information will be relevant across the globe. If you opt for print paper, the resources you have will determine how wide you will circulate.
• Choose a name and financing methods. The name you choose will help you market your paper. Brainstorm on several names and pick the best. Be careful not to choose a name that is already in use. Search online to find out if another newspaper is using the name. Choose the best logo to use for your newspaper. Insert the logo in the old newspaper template so that you can readily use it every time you want to publish. The next thing will be to decide how you will finance your newspaper. Follow the registration procedures and begin to gather news.

Old Newspaper Templates

How do I make a newspaper cover page ?

A newspaper cover page contains the most trending news. It contains the main headline and subheads of other major stories inside. The titles must fulfill three main points:

• They must provoke your audience to read
• Spark curiosity in reader’s minds
• Meet your reader’s expectations

Readability

It is important to make sure the cover page is legible. A well legible newspaper should meet the following qualifications.

• It must have a readable font
• It must have the right font size
• The fonts must be consistent
• It must be easy to navigate

What to include on the cover page

• Use appropriate pictures
• Avoid fancy pictures but keep it simple
• Let the information be attractive

Use a news article template to help you design an attractive cover page

Choose the right news article template: Whether you are creating a digital newspaper or pint, choose the right type of template. You will find online an old newspaper template in MS Word or PDF. You may get another format as long as they provide you with attractive designs.

Try with a fake newspaper template to see how different designs work. Once you establish the best format for you using the fake newspaper template, you can check online to download the best templates and choose one that you can customize. There are large selections of different types of templates that any type of paper that you may want to create.

Fake Newspaper Templates

Types of newspapers

The main types of newspapers that exist are distinguished by their format, size, theme, and periodicity. Newspapers are publications with a specific frequency and information applicable to a specific audience. They are an important information medium to the audience.

The main types of newspapers are:

These types of newspapers have broad papers, mostly A3 or larger. They were first printed in the 18th century after governments began to tax newspapers according to their total pages. To make the number of pages fewer, news printers opted to use larger papers that contained more information in fewer pages. To date, broadsheet newspapers remain one of the most common papers around the world.

Compared to the broadsheet newspaper format, tabloids are smaller in size, measuring about 11×17 inches and containing about five columns across. They are common with city dwellers because they are easier to carry and read as you wait at the bus stage or commute by train.

The earliest tabloids appeared in 1833, but they became more common in the early 1900s. In terms of language, tabloids seem to adopt street slang compared to broadsheets which adopt more to the official language.

For example, it is easy to find tabloids referring to police officers as cops, but broadsheets will refer to them as police officers. Another major difference is the type of news you’ll find in both. Broadsheets give more focus to news that touch on issues of politics, legislative bills, economics, etc. Tablets will likely give more focus on stories such as celebrity gossip and sensational crime. These two main types of newspapers are divided further into different genres.

Printed newspapers

Printed newspapers are the oldest type and are almost 200 years old. They started from the time printing was invented and have continued to develop as technology develops. At first, they were texts only newspapers printed in black.

As technology developed, printers added black and white images. Today, they contain colored images, multiple text colors, and graphics. The old newspaper template makes it easier to create attractive designs for the print newspaper.

Digital newspapers

The digital old newspaper template is designed to display on digital gadgets. The earliest digital newspaper went online in 1980. From the early 1990s, more digital papers followed, and by the early 2000s, nearly every newspaper outlet had a digital version.

The Digital newspaper format is growing fast in popularity and they are generating more revenue to newspaper companies compared to their print versions. Readers pay a small subscription fee, although a large number of them are available for free.

When they started, they represented a small portion of the information contained in the print version. Today, digital newspapers are complete papers of their print versions. Due to the fast growth of technology, digital papers today add other types of content such as audio, video, and infographics.

Newspapers according to their frequency

• Daily newspapers:  These are newspapers that are printed and circulated daily.
• Weekly newspapers:  They are printed and circulated weekly
• Monthly newspapers:  They are printed and circulated monthly
• Periodicals:  These are newspapers printed and circulated in specific periods, which can be monthly, every three months, after every six months, annually, etc.

Newspapers according to content

Another category of newspapers is according to content. The newspaper format covers a specific type of news or information.

General information newspapers:  These types of newspapers cover any type of information on their pages. They are divided into sections, with each section containing specific content. Mostly, their front pages cover the trending national political news followed by local news. They have other sections that cover business news, agriculture, gossip, obituaries, sports, advertisements, etc.

Specific information newspapers:   These types of newspapers cover a specific type of content such as follows:

• Economics: They cover information touching the areas of business, national, economic growth, international, and local.
• Political: They cover issues touching on politics only. It could be local politics, national, or international politics.
• Science: They focus on science, scientific discoveries, science developments, etc.
• Technology: These types focus on the areas of technology and technological developments.

There are many other types of content-specific newspapers such as fashion, agriculture, parenting, education, etc.

Newspapers according to the scope of information

Local newspapers

They write news that targets a specific community in a specific geographical location. This newspaper format is designed to adapt to the needs of inhabitants in a specific district, state, or territory. They write news that favors the customs and culture of the inhabitants.

Community newspapers

These types of newspapers cover a smaller scope. They focus more on promoting concepts of journalism and are mostly written by journalists.

National newspapers

They have large distribution covering an entire country. They mainly focus on issues of national interest, giving more weight to politics, government projects, developments, and business issues.

International newspapers

These types of newspapers cover global news and have global coverage. They touch on main topics touching national governments in different countries, regional governments, and international organizations.

More Templates

Car Show Flyers

Grand Opening Flyers

Lawn Care Flyers

Event Ticket Templates

Bubble Map Templates

Christmas Borders

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How to Write a News Story

Newspaper article outline, how to write a news story in 15 steps.

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The Purdue Owl : Journalism and Journalistic Writing: Introduction

From Scholastic: Writing a newspaper article

Article outline

I. Lead sentence

Grab and hook your reader right away.

II. Introduction

Which facts and figures will ground your story? You have to tell your readers where and when this story is happening.

III. Opening quotation 

What will give the reader a sense of the people involved and what they are thinking?

IV. Main body

What is at the heart of your story?

V. Closing quotation

Find something that sums the article up in a few words.

VI. Conclusion  (optional—the closing quote may do the job)

The following is an excerpt from The Elements of News Writing by James W. Kershner (Pearson, 2009).  This book is available for checkout at Buley Library (Call number PN 4775 .K37 2009, on the 3rd floor)

1.       Select a newsworthy story. Your goal is to give a timely account of a recent, interesting, and significant event or development.

2.       Think about your goals and objectives in writing the story. What will the readers want and need to know about the subject? How can you best tell the story?

3.       Find out who can provide the most accurate information about the subject and how to contact that person. Find out what other sources you can use to obtain relevant information.

4.       Do your homework. Do research so that you have a basic understanding of the situation before interviewing anyone about it. Check clips of stories already written on the subject.

5.       Prepare a list of questions to ask about the story.

6.       Arrange to get the needed information. This may mean scheduling an interview or locating the appropriate people to interview.

7.       Interview the source and take notes. Ask your prepared questions, plus other questions that come up in the course of the conversation. Ask the source to suggest other sources. Ask if you may call the source back for further questions later.

8.       Interview second and third sources, ask follow-up questions, and do further research until you have a understanding of the story.

9.       Ask yourself, “What’s the story?” and “What’s the point?” Be sure you have a clear focus in your mind before you start writing. Rough out a lead in your head.

10.   Make a written outline or plan of your story.

11.   Write your first draft following your plan, but changing it as necessary.

12.   Read through your first draft looking for content problems, holes, or weak spots, and revise it as necessary. Delete extra words, sentences, and paragraphs. Make every word count.

13.   Read your second draft aloud, listening for problems in logic or syntax.

14.   Copyedit your story, checking carefully for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style problems.

15.   Deliver your finished story to the editor before deadline.

Kershner, J.W. (2009). The Elements of News Writing. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

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12 Free Platforms For Writers To Publish Articles Online

Are you a new writer looking to publish your articles? Choosing the right digital publishing platform might be a little confusing at first.

Before looking for the best publishing options, you need to decide which platforms are suited to your topic or writing style. Are you interested in writing opinion pieces, sharing personal experiences, providing expert advice, or publishing on academic topics?

Every platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s all about finding one that aligns best with your writing style, topics, and intended audience.

You can check the suggestions in this article to help you decide which platforms will offer you the best chance of finding new readers.

Article Contents

You can publish articles online right now

With digital publishing, it is easy for anyone to learn how to write and publish articles .

There are many online publishing platforms for writers, so you can publish your writing in a matter of minutes.

What works for one writer might not work for the other. Are you writing essays or how-to guides ? It is also important to know who your audience is when choosing article publishing sites.

Do you want to reach teens, young adults, or adults? Are you trying to reach young entrepreneurs or established business owners?

Are you writing poems? There are also many free sites where you can publish your poetry .

Consider the types of articles you want to write and the audience you want to write for. Then, you can go ahead and find the best online publishing platforms.

There are also plenty of free writing apps to help you write great content that readers will love. But you should always use a reliable online grammar checker to make sure your writing is as perfect as possible.

Then, you can bring your vision and ideas to the world with digital content. With so many people reading articles and online content on laptops, smartphones, and tablets, there is always an audience for new writers.

There are many online magazines and sites that accept articles for free. It’s up to you to find the best digital publishing solution to suit your needs.

To get you started, here is a list of platforms offering free article publishing.

Medium is a very popular free publishing site where you can share your writing. You can connect with more sophisticated and dedicated readers than you might find on other social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook.

However, it is similar to a social network in its ease of connecting with other Medium users. But it is best suited to long-form writing.

It is very easy to create and set up your Medium account. Then, take a quick tour and read the FAQs. You are now ready to be published online with your first article.

The publishing tools are super easy to use with click and edit or drag and drop to move elements.

Your content on Medium should be full-length articles that are highly informative. Using original images is highly recommended.

Be aware, though, that it is not a publishing platform suited to short and obvious promotional blog posts.

You can read our how-to-use Medium guide for more detailed information about the submission guidelines. But they are quite straightforward.

2. Linkedin Articles

You are probably already on Linkedin. So why not publish your articles there?

Follow the instructions for publishing LinkedIn articles , and you are ready to go.

With so many people on the site, you are bound to find readers for professional articles.

It has to be one of the best places to help you gain readers.

3. Publish PDF

This really is the easiest way to publish your writing online.

You don’t even need to have a website or blog.

All you need is a PDF file and your Google account.

Best of all, Google indexes PDF documents , so yours may appear in Google Search.

Read our quick tutorial on how to publish a PDF article online , and you will be ready to publish immediately.

4. Scoop.It

Scoop.It is one of the most popular free publishing platforms for new writers.

You can publish great magazines on this website, and it does what it promises.

There is a function where you can find great content to help as inspiration.

Simply use appropriate keywords, and you will be flooded with information.

You can find some excellent content on Issuu  and some entertaining writing as well.

It is a user-friendly platform where anyone can create digital publications.

You don’t need to use any publishing software.

You can also sell your digital magazine directly from the website, making it possible to earn some money.

Issuu is definitely one of the leading platforms for anyone who has something worthwhile to say.

With more than 15,000 updates daily, it is clear why it is so popular with article writers.

It also gives you the opportunity to reach a lot of people with your writing. It doesn’t matter what your passion is; there is a place for you on this platform.

Your magazine can be about anything from cats to basketball, so there are no boundaries.

If you are a photographer who wants to share your multimedia with the world, you might find that Yudo is for you.

On this platform, you can mix your writing, videos, photographs, and audio.

Who wouldn’t like to read a digital magazine that offers all of these features?

It makes for a more exciting read, so it could be worth a shot.

All you need to have is a passion and start working hard at it.

7. ArticleSeen

ArticleSeen  prefers original content. But that is what you should do when posting your articles online.

If you want free exposure for your writing, this is a good site to help you on your way.

There is a good choice of categories, which means you are sure to find one that suits your writing topic.

8. PUB HTML5

PUB HTML5 is free of charge, so you can see if it is the right digital publishing tool for you.

The design is sleek and simple, which is what you want as a beginner.

You don’t want websites that are confusing to use.

But the great thing about this platform is that your publications will appear professional on all devices.

It can be a computer or a mobile device. The results are the same.

You can publish interactive elements in magazines, catalogs, and brochures and create rich-media flipping books.

If you are trying to get your name out there as an influential writer, you might want to give this website a try.

With over 500,000 publishers using this website, you can understand why I included Joomag  in this list.

You can manage your subscribers on this platform and add more when you please.

It gives you full control over your publications.

Use a good grammar checker to help you write flawless articles. Then, you can launch your own campaign.

You can use your mailing list to notify all of your subscribers when you publish a new article.

As a plus, you can send emails that you write for your subscribers to make them feel part of the team.

It is an easy way to promote your work.

10. ArticleBiz

ArticleBiz offers you the chance to get your articles picked up by online publishers.

It’s very easy to submit your articles.

When you do, you will also complete a resource box. It is a short bio about yourself. You can include your email and website address information.

You can choose from a huge range of categories for your articles.

It has an Alexa ranking of 210,908. So it certainly gets a lot of traffic and readers.

If you are new to article writing, it is a great site to make a start with your online publishing.

11. Substack

For writers open to a different approach in publishing, Substack is well worth investigating.

It’s a free platform you can join to post your articles. But the big focus with Substack is on getting readers to subscribe to your writing.

Your articles will certainly be available online. But if your sole aim is to get your articles to rank high on search engines, Medium might be a better option.

However, if you want to build a loyal readership, there’s no better way than to attract email subscribers.

You can start by offering your articles for free. But if you can build some traction and your mailing list, there is an option to monetize your writing later.

Many high-profile writers are already earning money from paid subscribers, but some new writers are also succeeding.

If you only want to publish one or two, it’s not the platform for you.

But if you want to make writing your passion and publish regular articles on your topic, Substack might be precisely the right publishing option for you.

12. Google Sites

When you want to have more control over your articles, you might consider using Google Sites .

It’s a simple website builder from Google. The two big advantages are that it’s free and very easy to use.

All you need is your Google account to log in and get started.

You can set up your new site in only a few minutes. Just make sure you make it available online.

Once you start adding your articles, you then have a chance of them being indexed by Google.

Like other website platforms, you can add gadgets to create interest. But they are basic.

Submitting your articles to a lot of different sites can be time-consuming and difficult to track.

But with your own site, you are in control of all your content.

Google Sites is a great option when all you want is a free, simple, and easy way to publish your articles in one place.

When you see the choices you have, there are no limits today on interactive content creation and digital publishing.

Anyone can learn to publish articles once they decide to start. All you need to do is find new topic ideas .

With all these fantastic platforms available to you, all you have to do is get to work and start writing.

Many have native apps for iOS, Android, and Google Play. Check your App stores.

Before you know it, you are going to be writing for free article submission sites .

All you need is to use your drive and passion to get you heading toward your goals.

Give one of these websites a try, and you will be publishing your fantastic articles in no time at all.

Related reading: Where To Publish Short Stories Online

About The Author

Derek Haines

More articles.

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52 thoughts on “12 free platforms for writers to publish articles online”.

I am a retired man with a technical background. I have written many articles on varied subjects but have never published. The subject matter includes science, religion, political and current events. The articles vary in length from one page to 20 pages. Have you ane suggestions for an appropriate posting site?

You cover a lot of topics, and different lengths, Phil.

It might be difficult to find one platform for them all.

Perhaps setting up a free blog, such as with Blogger or WordPress, might be a better move.

Thanks, I’ll look into that.

I have written quite a few articles, most of them being inspirational. Some are in the form of messages learnt from incidents in everyday life. I also feel that as a citizen on this planet, it is my duty to share the good things I have learnt, so others can benefit too. Am wondering where would be a good place to begin publishing. Thanks.

Derek, I am a decent lady, not available for romance, but just want you to know that I like your way; I just like your website & the way you make your comments and respond to questions. There’s just something about you. I like you.

Thank you. I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the content of the site.

I think writing story’s and publishing them and seeing how people comment, will help me when i get older and see what I want to be. I haven’t chosen yet I’ve always wanted to be a journalist or a media worker, honestly, I don’t yet…

I notice that as a new writer, I have strong passion to publish. But I believe there is the need to learn to make my writing ‘clean’, mistake-free and perfect for my readers before publishing. What writing training apps would you recommend to help me ‘sanitize’ my writing?

I would suggest Prowritingaid for a new writer. It’s got everything you need to edit and improve your writing.

Will be paid for publishing articles on this platform listed above?

Will try this

I’m seventy-two and have been writing for a long time. I have a folder full of articles and I also have a folder full of science fiction stories. I have poetry and comics. I need a platform that allows me to publish as I please.

I’m an unpublished writer with several manuscripts. Do these platforms here publish novels?

No, Samuel. These sites are only suitable for publishing articles.

If you want to publish novels, try Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Draft2Digital.

Hello Derek, I’m new to writing articles, but I wasn’t to write articles focusing on Young People and their struggles. I would like to build some readership for my article. What site do you recommend? Thank you.

You can use any site, Paul. But before you do, make sure your writing is perfect. In your comment, I’m sure you meant, wanted to write, and not wasn’t to write. You can’t expect to find readers if you make errors like this. Always, always check your writing before you hit the button.

Dear Derek, I would like to write articles about personal awareness and development. I am a new writer and I would like to reach a large odience eventually .. which platform would you recommend, please?

The best platform is always the one that you feel will work for you, Paoletta. But if you are looking at building a readership, Medium and Substack are two you might consider.

I’m really grateful to have stumbled on this site which I believe will greatly help me in publishing my articles. I do news articles that focus much more on culture. But I sort of publish stuff that is newsworthy so I also write on crisis in Africa.

Be aware that on Medium your articles and you as an author won’t be searchable until you get a critical mass of readers and followers/claps. Which means that you need to actively promote your writing, for strangers to find your page on any given day (except the few first hours of the publication). Very disappointed.

Medium is no different from any other form of publishing articles. You need a certain amount of traction before it can rank in Google Search.

For a blog post, you need backlinks. On Medium, you need followers and claps.

It’s pretty standard stuff, but not disappointing if you know how to promote what you post.

There are no free rides at getting articles to rank. You still need to work on it to be successful.

i need to publish my story about chronic kidney disease and kidney transplants, the need for kidney donors and how this need is affected by the Covid pandemic.; and my personal need for a transplant to save my life. Where is the best place to submit my article?

Use any of the sites listed in this article. But I would try Medium first.

I need to publish my article which are explain about lidar technology. Where can I publish my article?

Dear sir I need to publish my paper which concerns on climate. so how can I publish it?

Really grateful to get these platforms to publish my article. Thanks to you for gifting us such information for these platforms.

how I can publish the article ??

Good information but why did you not include Substack?

this is great where do i publish my scholarly articles and class modules

Hi Derek, Impressive Collection shared on Free Publishing Articles. Would like to know where we can share technical content.

Ok how can I publish

Hey this is Simeone here. I already participate in the Medium corporative community, it is a good platform for publishing your stories online. I only have a technical problems with the platform. I’m hoping to enjoy my writing of articles with these other platforms.

According to me the best usage of time is writing. It makes an individual to think widely on every aspect. Writing enable person to do brainstorming over the topic. This improves the writing work of writer.

Thank you very much! I spent about 2-3 hours and looked at these sites. Medium appears to be educational and very helpful for beginning writers! I will use it and promote it! See where I am with it by the end of the year! Thank you again! Edina Back, Executive Establishment Officer, Personnel Efficiency Foundation

Good morning. Please I am a prolific writer. I write on a broad range of topics and areas ranging from Marriage, Relationship, Politics, amongst others. How do I publish my articles please?

Fine, thank you.

I want to publish my poetries. Where I can get it published?

I have 200 pages of musings and poetry in RHYMING format. Deep thoughts and shallow—-should it be published? C R Petty Col USMC Ret.

I’m looking for free publishing platform. I want to publish an article I wrote while I was in college. This an academic article for educators (teaching profession). What is the appropriate website for that.

Hlo sir/mam, we are the students of masters. Sir we want to publish our research article in your site. So sir please give us the details regarding publication criteria or fees. We shall be thankful to you for this kind of purpose.

As they say always seek knowledge I would like to seek knowledge and become one of the best poets ever in history by explaining to people about what’s love

Kindly please keep providing me the work related to writing . Iam hard working and dedicated.

“Life is my teacher and living is my lesson.” I believe everyday you live, you learn alot from life. When you stop living is when the lessons stop. Article is informative and useful. Reading it has set me in motion. I now know how to proceed. The lessons are a step forward in the right direction.

Very valuable information. Lot of secrets, thank you.

Hello Lisa, Great article. Thanks for bringing these tools on one platform for the world. Keep up the good work. Regards

Hello we are publishing house based in Rwanda Africa, we would like to get in touch with you for more information on the on how we can work with you in publishing working in have books for kids both fiction and non fiction kindly tell me how we can work together. Waiting from you soonest Best Regards Andrew.

Please use our site contact form if you wish to get in touch with us.

I want to publish a book. What is the process ? Can I contact you ?Nearest office ?

We only offer advice articles on our site, Abraham. Sorry, but we do not offer personal support or coaching.

Is it possible to publish a small article regarding medical science

Frankly speaking, and as human beings, we always learn from one another. You may good in x and I’m good at y, for that reason I may need your help and you may need my help. It’s a mutual learning.

Hi Derek Haines, I would like to publish my short gospel articles, Where do I start?

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How to Write Articles

Last Updated: June 23, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Janet Peischel . Janet Peischel is a Writer and Digital Media Expert and the Owner of Top of Mind Marketing. With more than 15 years of consulting experience, she develops content strategies and builds online brands for her clients. Prior to consulting, Janet spent over 15 years in the marketing industry, in positions such as the Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Bank of America. Janet holds a BA and MA from the University of Washington. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,288,317 times.

There are a multitude of different types of articles, including news stories, features, profiles, instructional articles, and so on. While each has specific qualities that are unique to its type, all articles share some common characteristics. From forming and researching your idea to writing and editing your work, writing articles can give you a chance to share compelling and important information with readers.

Forming Your Idea

• News: This type of article presents facts about something that happened recently or that will happen in the near future. It usually covers the 5 Ws and H: who, what, where, when, why and how.
• Feature: This type of article presents information in a more creative, descriptive way than a straight news article. It can be an article about a person, a phenomenon, a place, or other subject.
• Editorial : This article presents a writer’s opinions on a topic or debate. It is intended to persuade the reader to think a certain way about a topic.
• How-to : This article gives clear instructions and information about how to accomplish some task.
• Profile: This article presents information about a person, using information that the writer typically gathers through interviews and background research.

• What interests you about this topic?
• What is a point that people usually overlook?
• What do you want people to know about this topic?
• For example, if you want to write about organic farming, you might say to yourself, “I think it’s important to know what organic labeling means on food packages. It can be confusing to know what it all means.”

• Your goal is to convey enough passion that your readers think the issue in your article is worth caring about.

• Enter some keywords into an online search engine. This can lead you to sources that write about your topic. These sources can also give you an idea of different approaches to the topic.
• Read as much as you can on the topic. Visit your local library. Consult books, magazine articles, published interviews, and online features as well as news sources, blogs, and databases for information. A good place to start looking for data not apparent on the Internet is the Gale Directory of Databases, which exists in both book format (available in libraries) or online .

• For example, for the organic food topic, you might focus on one grocery shopper who doesn’t understand organic food labeling. Use that opening anecdote to lead into your main argument, known as a "nut graph," which summarizes your unique idea or perspective.

• For example, if you are writing about how one person learns how to read organic labels, your overall argument might be that the public needs to be aware that many companies misuse organic labeling. This leads to dishonest practices in product advertising. Another topic might be: it’s important to know who owns your local media outlets. If corporate media organizations own your local newspaper, you may get very little media coverage of your area and not know much about your community.
• Write your argument in one sentence. Post it near your computer or writing area. This will help you stay focused as you start working on your article.

Researching Your Idea

• Primary sources can include a transcript from a legislative hearing, lawsuit filing, county property indexes with folio numbers, discharge certificates from the military, and photos. Other primary sources could include government written records in the National Archives or special collections sections of your local or university library, insurance policies, corporate financial reports, or personal background reports.
• Secondary sources comprise published databases, books, abstracts, articles in English and other languages, bibliographies, dissertations, and reference books.
• You can find information on the internet or in a library. You can also conduct interviews, watch documentaries, or consult other sources.

• You can make a longer list of evidence and examples. As you gather more evidence, you will be able to prioritize which ones are the strongest examples.

• Don’t assume that one source is completely accurate. You'll need several unrelated sources to get the full picture.

• Choose a citation style sooner rather than later, so you can compile citation information in the correct format. MLA, APA, and Chicago are some of the most common citation styles.

• Don’t copy any text directly from another source. Paraphrase this text instead, and include a citation.

Outlining Your Idea

• For example, if you are writing an article for a specialized academic audience, your tone, and approach will be vastly different from if you’re writing an article for a popular magazine.

• It’s helpful to start with the five-paragraph essay outline. [3] X Research source This outline devotes one paragraph to an introduction, three paragraphs for supporting evidence, and one paragraph for a conclusion. As you start plugging in information into your outline, you may find that this structure doesn’t suit your article so well.
• You might also find that this structure doesn’t suit certain types of articles. For example, if you’re doing a profile of a person, your article may follow a different format.

• Make sure to fully attribute your quote and use quotation marks around anything that you didn’t write yourself. For example, you might write: A spokesperson for the dairy brand Milktoast says, “Our milk is labeled organic because our cows are only fed organic grass.”
• Don’t overdo the quotes. Be selective about the quotes you do use. If you use too many quotes, your reader might think you’re using them as filler instead of coming up with your material.

Writing Your Article

• Telling an anecdote.
• Using a quote from an interview subject.
• Starting with a statistic.
• Starting with straight facts of the story.

• Be flexible, however. Sometimes when you write, the flow makes sense in a way that is different from your outline. Be ready to change the direction of your piece if it seems to read better that way.

• For example, you might write about the grocery shopper having trouble with organic food labels: “Charlie concentrated on jars of peanut butter on the shelf. The words ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ seemed to jump out at him. Every jar said something different. He felt they were shouting at him: ‘Choose me!’ ‘Buy me!’ The words started swimming in front of his eyes. He left the aisle without buying anything.”

• For example, use words or phrases such as “however…,” “another important point is…,” or “it must be remembered that…”

• For example, a newspaper article will need to offer information in a narrative, chronological format. It should be written with accessible and straightforward language. An academic article will be written with more formal language. A how-to article might be written in more informal language.
• When writing your article, use a strong "anchoring" sentence at the beginning of each paragraph to move your reader forward. Moreover, vary the length of your sentences, both short and long. If you find all your sentences are about the same word length, chances are your reader will be 'lulled" into a standard rhythm and fall asleep. Sentences which are consistently choppy and short may give your reader the impression you are writing advertising copy instead of a well-thought-out article.

• If you started with an anecdote or statistic in your introduction, think about reconnecting to this point in your conclusion.
• Conclusions are often strongest when they use a last, brief, concrete example that leads the reader to new insights. Conclusions should be 'forward-thinking' -- point the reader in a direction that keeps his or her "thirst" for knowledge going strong.

• For example, you could include photographs, charts, or infographics to illustrate some of your points.
• You could also highlight or develop a major point more with a sidebar-type box. This is an extra bit of writing that delves more deeply into one aspect of the subject. For example, if you’re writing about your city’s film festival, you might include a sidebar write-up that highlights one of the films. These types of write-ups are usually short (50-75 words, depending on the publication outlet).
• Remember, these materials are supplemental. This means that your article should stand on its own. Your writing needs to be understandable, clear and focused without the help of charts, photographs or other graphics.

Finalizing Your Work

• Look closely at the central argument or point you’re trying to make. Does everything in your article serve this central argument? Do you have a unrelated paragraph? If so, this paragraph should be eliminated or reframed so that it supports the main argument.
• Eliminate any contradictory information in the article or address the contradictions, showing how the contradictory information is relevant to readers.
• Rewrite sections or the entire thing as necessary. Revisions like this are common for all types of articles, so don’t feel like you’ve failed or are incompetent.

• It’s helpful to print out a hard copy of your article. Go through it with a pen or pencil to catch mistakes. Then go back and correct these mistakes on the computer.

• It is common to be able to identify your mistakes in grammar or writing while reading aloud as well; this could cut down on the feedback that you may receive from someone else.

• This person may also catch errors and inconsistencies that you have overlooked.

• If you want to convey slightly more information, write a sub-headline. This is a secondary sentence that builds on the headline.

How Do You Minimize Bias In an Article?

Article Outline Template

Expert Q&A

• Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to write the article. If you don't, you'll be rushing at the last minute to create something that isn't representative of what you can truly do. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• To find out more about using primary research tools and databases, consult the Investigative Reporters and Editors website or get a copy of The Investigative Reporter's Handbook: A Guide to Documents, Databases and Techniques, Fifth Edition. Authors: Brant Houston and Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. (New York: Bedford/St. Martin's 2009). Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Determine whether you actually have an interest in writing. Try writing 2 paragraphs with as much creativity as possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• When writing for a newspaper or magazine, do not do so free. Ask what the freelance fee is beforehand. Your pay will usually be calculated on a per-word basis or per-article basis. Your work is valuable. Writing for free makes making a living more difficult for those who depend on freelance fees to pay the bills. If you're just starting out, volunteering to do some articles for smaller community papers, student publications and trade magazines is a great way to build your portfolio. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Janet Peischel. Digital Media Expert. Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.
• ↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/creating-a-5-paragraph-essay-outline.html
• ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/why-is-context-important-in-writing#quiz-0
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/166662

About This Article

To write an article, use both primary and secondary sources to gather information about your topic. Primary sources include photos, government records, and personal interviews, while secondary sources include books, abstracts, scholarly journals, other articles, and reference books. When you’re writing, use facts, quotes, and statistics from your sources to support your point, and explain your topic as if the reader has never heard of it before. To learn the different types of articles, including news, features, and editorials, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Do you want to craft distinctive communication that leaves an impact on your audience? Are you planning to embark on the journey of creating a magazine or newspaper and looking for an easy starting point? Today, we introduce a cutting-edge collection of free newspaper templates, simple to customize with just a few clicks.

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In the realm of journalism, first impressions matter . A well-designed cover can entice readers and immerse them in your written content. Edit.org's editable newspaper templates offer professional, eye-catching designs that enhance the readability of your news and information.

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How to create your own Newspaper online with Edit.org

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These editable newspaper templates serve as essential tools for journalists and publishers aiming to make a distinct mark in the digital landscape. Our collection offers a wide array of newspaper styles available for download and high-definition printing. Whether you're in the world of journalism, managing a school newspaper with a youthful perspective, launching an art news publication, or embracing the vintage charm of an old-style newspaper, you'll find templates to match your unique style .

Edit.org's graphic and online editor is incredibly user-friendly. You don't need to be a graphic designer to craft appealing pages. Our templates provide a pre-defined structure into which you can effortlessly insert your text and images . Additionally, you have access to our professional library of royalty-free photos, drawings, vectors, and icons at no extra cost. Modifying the text is a breeze.

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We are a one-stop shop for all your newspaper needs. You can design and print real, actual newspapers right here. We specialize in shortrun newspapers for practically any niche or need, from schools to weddings.

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Creating a Classroom Newspaper

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
• Related Resources

Students will enjoy this creative, exciting, and stimulating lesson in writing as they create authentic newspaper stories. As they are transformed into reporters and editors, they will become effective users of ICT in order to publish their own classroom newspaper. Various aspects of newspapers are covered, including parts of a newspaper, writing an article, online newspapers, newspaper reading habits, and layout and design techniques.

Featured Resources

• Printing Press : In this online interactive tool, your students can choose the "newspaper" option to help them complete their newspaper section.
• Newspaper Story Format : Your students will find completing their newspaper article a snap by first filling out this useful handout that helps them identify each key element of an authentic newspaper article.

From Theory to Practice

• Encouraging children to read and write in ways that allow them to make sense of real language in real contexts is more likely to help them develop the skills necessary to become fluent readers and writers. Creation of a class newspaper provides such a real context, and thus makes an excellent choice as the basis for a project designed with this goal in mind.
• Use of the computer motivates students to learn and students' attitudes toward the newspaper genre are affected by active participation in the production of an authentic and original newspaper of their own.
• Abilities in formal writing are best developed with a "process approach" that goes through five distinct phases: prewriting, composing or drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Using this approach helps students more fully understand the process of producing formal written documents, such as magazines and newspapers.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• 11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

Materials and Technology

• Computer lab with Internet access
• Multimedia software
• Access to a library of images/graphics
• Scanner (optional)
• Digital camera (optional)
• Deadline! From News to Newspaper by Gail Gibbons (HarperCollins, 1987)
• The Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper by Loreen Leedy (Holiday House, 1993)
• Freddy and the Bean Home News by Walter R. Brooks (Puffin, 2002)
• Inverted Pyramid Format
• Newspaper Story Format
• Story Feedback Form
• Newspaper Writing Assessment
• Reporting Tips
• Reporter's Guide

Preparation

*Prerequisite skills: Familiarization with an appropriate multimedia software program

Student Objectives

Students will

• Identify the parts of a newspaper
• Identify the format of a news article
• Write a newspaper story
• Edit newspaper articles
• Use ICT equipment and software
• Layout and publish a classroom newspaper

Hold up a sample front page from a selected newspaper. Ask students what they notice about the format that is different from other texts they read (e.g., black and white ink, graphics, headline, column format). Divide the students into groups of three to four members. Explain to the students that they will explore a newspaper, paying attention to the layout and format. Instruct students to study the front page first and discuss what different parts they notice. Ask each group to report back to the whole class what members noticed was contained on the front page. Make a list of parts on the board. (e.g., title, headlines, pictures or graphics, captions, date, subtitles, table of contents/index, etc.). Students should notice similarities between different newspapers. Discuss with the class how newspapers use a standard format. In their groups, have students continue to explore copies of newspapers. What kinds of things do they notice? Students should begin to identify sections and features that are specific to newspapers. Have the groups again report to the whole class what types of items they noticed in their paper. Continue keeping the list of items on the board. (Additional items may include: editorials, cartoons, horoscope, local news, weddings, classifieds, advertising, etc.) Explain to the class that people read newspapers differently than other types of texts. Discuss how people read newspapers. Reading a newspaper matches people's interests in certain things. They scan headlines, subtitles, and images to see if the story interests them or not. Read some sample headlines from newspapers. Ask, "How many of you would be interested in reading this story?" For homework, have students ask their family members what newspapers they read regularly and what sections they read most often. Give an example of your own newspaper reading habits. (For example, "First I check the weather to help me decide what to wear to school. Then I go to the local news to see what is happening in my town. Finally, I scan the headlines to see what is happening in the world. If I have time, I start the crossword puzzle.")

Ask the students to report about their family's newspaper reading habits. Make a list of newspapers that are read and determine which are the most common. List the words who, what, where, when, and why on the board, overhead, or chart paper. Answer each of the five W questions using the popular rhyme "Jack & Jill." Example:

• Who? Jack and Jill
• What? Fell down and broke crown
• Where? On the hill
• When? Sometime in the past
• Why? Trying to fetch water

Read "Bad Fall Injures Children" article from page 4 of the Grandview Newspaper lesson plan . Students clarify their previous responses to the five W s according to the article. Explain how these five questions help to summarize a news story. Put students in groups of three to four members. Ask the students to choose another famous rhyme or fairy tale and answer the five W questions. Have each group read just the answers to their questions, and then have the class try to guess what fairy tale or rhyme it is. Explain that these five W s help with the organization of a news story and that they make up the most important details of the story. Demonstrate to the class the organization of a good news story using the Inverted Pyramid Format overhead. Use a sample newspaper story to illustrate an example of this format For homework, ask students to select a newspaper article that they are interested in reading and bring it to school the next day.

Give students time to read the newspaper article they brought from home. Hand out the Newspaper Story Format sheet. Students should then complete the sheet using details from their particular article and share the summary of their newspaper article. Ask the students to rewrite the newspaper article in their own words as if they were a reporter for their local newspaper. What changes would they make and why? Have the students share their stories with a classmate using the following questions to guide their discussion:

• Were changes made to the lead? Why?
• Were changes made to the five W s? Why?
• Were changes made to the details? Why?

As a class, discuss fact versus opinion. Explain that news articles do not include the reporter's opinion. Have students go back and see if the changes that were made to their articles were strictly factual. Refer to original articles as needed for examples of fact-based stories.

Read-aloud to the class from one or more of the suggested titles:

• Deadline! From News to Newspaper by Gail Gibbons
• The Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper by Loreen Leedy
• Freddy and the Bean Home News by Walter R. Brooks

Have students brainstorm the types of articles they would like to write and list them on the board. Look at the list and ask students if the articles could be grouped into categories or "newspaper sections." Use the Reporting Tips overhead to present how to make newspaper articles more interesting. Go over each point and clarify any questions that students may raise. Group students based on interests to form an "editorial staff" for each newspaper section. Have the groups meet to decide who will write which stories. Students can use the Reporter's Guide handout as a guideline. When they have finished, students can begin collecting facts for their stories.

Session 5 and 6

Take students to the computer lab and have them write their first draft. They should not worry about font, size, or columns at this point. Be sure that they save their work and print a hard copy of their article for editing. Students' stories should then be self-edited and edited by two other members of their editorial staff (using the Story Feedback Form ). Students should make necessary revisions to their stories based on the comments from the Story Feedback Form.

In the computer lab, have students access the Internet Public Library website and explore newspapers from around the world. They should pay particular attention to the design and layout elements. For example, some articles may include graphics (e.g., photos, charts, graphs). Discuss what patterns of layout design the students noticed. As a whole class, discuss newspaper layout, addressing the following points:

• Headline News: Top priority articles are near the front (1-2 pages). These are typically of high interest to your entire audience of readers (e.g., town news such as a new park or community center). Long front-page articles can be continued on an inside page to provide room for other headline news.
• Feature Articles: Stories about topics or events that are of interest to a certain group of readers (e.g., sports, animal stories, academic topics, interviews with school staff, book reviews). These are typically grouped into sections.
• Pictures or graphics: The image should always appear with the story. A caption can be included. The size usually depends on how much space is available in the layout.

Give students the opportunity to explore these layout items in newspapers in the classroom and online. Students should look at the Junior Seahawk Newsletter to get ideas for their own layout.

Session 8 and 9

In the computer lab, students should complete final story revisions. They may then begin the newspaper layout using appropriate software. The ReadWriteThink Printing Press includes an option for creating a newspaper. Each editorial staff works together to complete their newspaper section. Note: 8 ½ X 11 size pages are optimal. They can be printed and copied back to back on 11 X 17 paper that can be folded like a real newspaper. The completed paper must have an even number of pages for this format. Pictures can be drawn or pasted into the layout. Depending on the available resources, pictures can also be scanned or downloaded from a digital camera. Tell students to play around with fonts and columns. They should experiment and be creative! Once pages are completed, they should be printed. The editorial staff should do a final reading for errors. Pages are then submitted to the teacher for publishing.

Distribute the class newspaper to the students and allow them time to read it. When they have finished, hand out the Newspaper Writing Assessment sheet and ask them to fill it out.

Student Assessment / Reflections

Assess students' comments from the Newspaper Writing Assessment sheet.

• Calendar Activities
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• Lesson Plans

The interactive Printing Press is designed to assist students in creating newspapers, brochures, and flyers.

Students analyze rhetorical strategies in online editorials, building knowledge of strategies and awareness of local and national issues. This lesson teaches students connections between subject, writer, and audience and how rhetorical strategies are used in everyday writing.

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Helping you create amazing content!

News Article Generator

The News Article Generator is a unique online tool that lets you easily create high-quality, original news articles. Enter a topic, choose a headline style, and let News Article Generator do the rest!

This generator should be used to make newspaper articles of a beneficial, human interest, opinions, or informative nature. It should not be used to relate facts or breaking news without researching it first. If you use it to create fake news, please do so responsibly.

You can also use this tool for

• Product Pages
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• Newsletters

Instructions

Put in a short subject and press the button. The generator will write a short news article about your subject. PLEASE fact-check any information you are given unless you use this for a creative writing project.

Suggestions for input

• Science and technology
• A news story about a natural disaster.
• A story about political unrest.
• News about a new product or service.

Input : Culture

Output : As the global economy struggles, people turn to art as an escape. In response, some art directors and curators are creating more traditional galleries that focus on exhibiting new and experimental works. Others are finding ways to bring art into people’s everyday lives by creating public installations and events.

Some of the most successful recent examples include the installation “Life is Beautiful” at New York’s Lincoln Center, which features pieces from over 50 different artists, and “Rapture” at The Tate Gallery in London, which features pieces from 30 different artists. These projects have brought attention to the importance of art in today’s world and helped revive interest in traditional galleries and museums.

Input : Languages

Output : Languages are unique, global communities of sign languages that share a common vocabulary and grammar. They can be found in many different parts of the world, and their use varies from culture to culture.

There are over 350 languages spoken on Earth today, making them one of the most prominent language families on Earth. Each language is made up of a variety of dialects and subgroups. The most fluent speaker of any language is usually a native speaker, but anyone who can learn a few essential words can understand most languages.

Despite their diversity, languages share some standard features. For example, they all have phonemes – sounds that make up the letters in a text or speech sentence – and they all use word order (the order in which words are spoken). When you see a word in one language and hear it in another, you typically know which word comes after which letter in the original text or speech sentence.

Tips and tricks

• Don’t get overly complicated with your inputs on the tool. Keep it simple.
• Current events may not be recognized as the AI is not kept up with daily happenings.
• Research your topic thoroughly before beginning your reporting.
• Be precise in your language and avoid assumptions about readers’ knowledge or experiences.
• Use active and concrete verbs to convey the story’s action, and use specific details to help readers follow along.
• Stick to reliable sources when reporting on controversial or sensitive topics.
• Be mindful of the tone of your article—it should be objective but also engaging and readable.
• Proofread your work carefully to ensure that all facts are accurate and that there are no spelling or grammatical errors

Frequently asked questions

What are the most significant steps in writing a news article.

The major steps in writing a news article are gathering information, analyzing the data, and writing the article.

How do you establish a news story’s premise?

The premise of a news story is the idea or assumption that is the article’s focus. It can be an event, a problem, or a proposal. The reporter or the writer must find a way to make this idea attractive to readers and persuasively argue for its importance.

How do you research a topic?

There are many ways to research your topic. You can look online, in books, or magazines. You can also talk to people who have experience with the topic you’re interested in. Don’t assume that it is true just because it is on the internet!

What are the critical elements of a compelling headline?

Effective headlines are catchy and memorable while accurately reflecting the article’s content. They should be short and to the point without being misleading or overly promotional.

How do you structure your article?

One of the most important things to remember when writing an article is to structure it well. You need to have a beginning, middle, and end, so your readers will understand what you are trying to say.

Additionally, you should ensure that each section is cohesive and flows logically from the previous one.

Finally, use strong verbs and descriptive language when describing your points so that readers will clearly understand what you are advocating.

What common grammar and style mistakes to avoid when writing news articles?

When writing news articles, it is important to use correct grammar and style. Some standard grammar and style mistakes to avoid when writing news articles are using incorrect verb tenses, incorrect nouns or pronouns, and inaccurate information. Additionally, it is essential to use accurate spelling when reporting on events or names.

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How do I write a newspaper article?

Want to write a fake news article? With the online editor and newspaper templates form Happiedays, you can make your own homemade newspaper with the click of a button. How to get started? A newspaper article has a recognizable structure. That’s why we’ve summed up the most important writing and design tips to give your news article a professional look and feel. Get started right away with one of our sample designs or opt for a blank template. Add text and pictures with the free online design tool to customize your paper.

Writing tips

CONTENT A journalist’s job is to relay a newsworthy story as clearly and as informative as possible. Each article should therefore answer the 5 Ws : WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY. You may also consider the HOW.

STRUCTURE The answers to the questions above are set out in a news article with a set format. Each article starts with a catchy and informative headline . Quotes or data are a great wat to grab the reader’s attention, but make sure it’s still factually correct. A headline may be followed by a topic sentence . By way of introduction, this topic sentence summarizes the most important information of your article in one sentence. You’ll usually find the answers to the five W questions here. The body text of the news article further elaborates on this story with the necessary background information, quotes and data. And don’t forget to add a suitable and informative caption to the accompanying graphics, pictures or other imagery .

TONE When writing your news article, make sure to keep a neutral tone. A journalist should aim to offer readers relevant, complete and objective information. Be critical of your own work: Is the information reliable? Which sources are cited? Were any experts consulted?

LANGUAGE Like any written medium, it’s important to pay attention to language use. Remember that the main focus of a news article is to give unbiased information. So, avoid unnecessary information and figurative language like personifications, metaphors, hyperboles, analogies that will undermine the facts of your news report.

Layout and design tips

COLUMNS Newspaper articles are typically split into 2 or 3 columns, with a maximum of 5 columns across the page (depending on the font size). When using the online editor, make sure the text is evenly spread across the columns by making the text block bigger or smaller.

ALIGNMENT When writing your news article, make sure the text blocks, columns, headings and pictures are neatly aligned both vertically and horizontally. Professional newspaper articles typically align their text to the left. The same goes for newspaper headings and titles. Use the grid to help you position the various elements of your design with regard to one another.

FONT TYPE AND SIZE There’s no standard font type or size for newspapers. But if you’re looking to give your article a professional look, we recommend using a font with serif characters. Different options in our editor include Charis SIL, Dosis, Old Standard TT and Fairplay Display. We recommend a font size between 10 and 14pt for body text and subheadings. Titles should be considerably larger.

COLOUR CONTRAST Ensure enough contrast between the letters and background to keep your news article legible. So, don’t use any pictures or drawings behind the text that are either too vague or too busy. Generally speaking, dark letters on a light background is preferable. If you still want to add some colour to your newspaper, we recommend using a solid colour that offers enough contrast.

PICTURE RESOLUTION Printed newspapers generally require a higher resolution than display screens. When using our online editor, we recommend a minimum resolution of 150 dpi. But don’t get too hung up on the technics: most pictures taken with a smartphone meet the required norm. In case of low resolution, you’ll receive a warning when uploading the image.

WHITE SPACE While traditional newspapers tend to look crowded and busy, modern papers have a more serene look and feel. Use lots of white space for a clean, fresh and modern look. And make sure the news articles themselves have the same amount white space between the headings, paragraphs and pictures.

FRONT PAGE There are few extra things to consider for the front page of a newspaper. Your font page is the poster child of your newspaper. Besides your news articles, it’s also important to add the name of your paper, the logo, the date of publication, the edition number and the price. It’s also common practice to add snippets of other news-worthy articles that can be found later on in the newspaper.

Popular Articles

Want to make a mock newspaper article get started with our newspaper templates:.

• Dutch - Belgium
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• French - France
• Dutch - The Netherlands
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Online Newspaper Maker

Engage your readers with interactive newspapers. Customize digital newspaper templates with video interviews and slideshows, or upload your PDF in our newspaper generator and make it a flippable news source for family, friends, or the corporate setting. Share it with your audience via full-view links or download it for offline availability.

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Interactive newspapers for engaged audiences

Bring your stories to life through customizable page-flipping newspaper templates. Captivate your audience through GIFs, videos, hyperlinks, and other interactions. Spark your readers' interest in your content in ways no static newspaper ever could.

Flipsnack is essential. It allows us to cut down on paper costs, and our clients find it useful because they can access our materials anywhere. The feature I like the most is being able to integrate Flipsnack onto my organization's website. The design of it is really sleek and professional with the dynamic feature. It's really easy to use on the basic level and really beginner friendly.

Browse through customizable newspaper templates

Ease your editorial work with fully editable newspaper templates. Personalize them with your content and customize them however you want. Choose from travel newspaper templates, wedding newspaper templates or classroom newspaper templates for any need you might have.

Our free-to-use newspaper examples are created by professional designers that keep up with today’s standards and trends in newspaper design. Bring your content over, and make the fully customizable design match your vision for a seamless reading experience.

How to make a digital newspaper

1. pick a newspaper template.

Choose a newspaper template, upload an available PDF, or create one from scratch and watch it become a flippable online newspaper.

2. Customize your newspaper

Make the editable newspaper template your own through your content and add interactions to help it stand out.

3. Share it with your readers

Publish your newspaper and make it available to your audience. Share it via link, embed it on your website, or distribute it on your social media channels.

4. Track your readers’ engagement

Study audience reactions through views, impressions, and time spent on the page to better captivate them with your next issue, like you can’t with print.

Share your newspaper everywhere

Delivering your stories to your audience has never been easier. Find the right communication channel and reach readers through:    • Same full-view link updates    • Social media channels    • Website embed    • Email sharing    • Public profile sharing

Analyze your readers’ behavior through stats

Once you share your newspaper, look into statistics to see how your audience interacts with them. Track what your readers click on, how much time they spend on pages, and their interaction with elements on pages to enhance engagement in future issues. For more complex metrics, you can integrate Google Analytics.

Frequently asked questions

1. how do i make a newspaper template.

With Flipsnack, it’s easy and fun to make your own newspaper template. There are two different options to choose from, depending on your intent. If you’re creative and already have something in mind, you can start from scratch by choosing your template’s size. With the help of our intuitive Design Studio, you can add your outstanding images, fonts, colors, text boxes, and so on. You can also choose to customize a fully editable newspaper template created by our designers. Browse through our various newspaper templates, pick your favorite, and make any changes you want. When you’re done with the editing part, don’t forget to save your template in case you want to share it with others or use it at another time.

2. What are the 8 parts of a newspaper?

These are the 8 parts that are usually included in a newspaper: front page, local and foreign news page, editorial page, sports page, classified ads, entertainment, obituary, business, and finance section. It is up to you which of these parts you include in your newspaper based on the type of publication you want to create.

3. How do I make a front page for a newspaper?

The front page of a newspaper is the most important page of the publication. It’s the first thing your readers see, so pay attention to what you include here. These are the things that should be featured on a front page of a newspaper:    • The logo of the newspaper    • A masthead - information about the newspaper at the top of the front cover (the names of editors, writers, and owners, as well as the title of the newspaper)    • An eye-catching headline    • A standfirst - a line right after the headline to give more information about the story    • A cover story - the main story used on the front cover    • The body - the full details of the story    • Some outstanding photos to impress the readers

4. What is the format of a news article?

News articles are written in a structure known as the “inverted pyramid”. This means that the most important information goes at the beginning of the story, while the least important information goes at the end. Therefore, this is how the format should look like:    • Headline    • Byline - this tells who wrote the story    • Lead paragraph - this has ALL of the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions    • Explanation/ Main body    • Conclusion    • Additional information - if you have any

What else to try:

Flipsnack empowers you to create a variety of on-brand digital publications, from magazines to online catalogs, and more. Try it today!

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• Idea Generators

Newspaper Headline Generator: 1,000+ Headline Ideas

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Today’s big headline is this ultimate newspaper headline generator with over 1,000 headline ideas to write about!

Use our list of random newspaper headline ideas to help create your own newspaper articles at home. Writing your own newspaper articles is a great writing activity for kids of all ages. Imagine your child is a news reporter for a famous newspaper company, like the BBC News or even our very own the Imagine Forest Times. Every month or even every week your child can release their own newspaper issues, starting with Issue 1. Develop your child’s logical thinking, problem-solving and curiosity by encouraging them to write about a range of fun and interesting topics. 

Newspaper Headline Generator

Use this amazing newspaper headline generator to get you started on your first few issues:

Create your Own News Headline

Newspaper headlines have one job – That is to grab attention. Imagine you are walking past a newspaper stall on the road. When you see the front cover of a newspaper, you want to be amazed, shocked or somehow intrigued by the big headline on the front. Think, what would make you readers pick up a boring, old paper and read it?

Now, there are many ways to create attention-grabbing headlines, such as:

• Include big numbers in the headline. Example: 1 Million To be Won At Local Bingo Game!
• Use shocking words. Example: Young Boy Vomits All Over Judge!
• Ask some direct questions. Example: Is The Earth Really Round?
• Involve the reader. Example: You Could Be The Next King or Queen!
• Include interesting facts or figures. Example: 90% Of Scientists Believe Climate Change is Caused By Humans

The simplest way of creating your own news headline is to think about the main character and the main event:

• First, make a list of the main characters which the headline is about. For example, local boy, Billionaire or YouTube Star.
• Now make a list of events which your article is about. For example, a singing contest, a football match or a suspected theft.
• Finally, combine the elements from both lists to create your news headline. Here are some examples we got: Local Boy Wins Singing Contest For 11th Time, YouTube Star Suspected Of Stealing Millions or Billionaire Loses All Their Money At Charity Football Match.

Using these tips can you create your own newspaper headline? Share your newspaper headlines with us in the comments below.

What makes a good Newspaper Article?

Once you have your attention-grabbing headline, the next part is to start writing your newspaper article. Most newspaper articles follow the basic structure of the 5 W’s and 1 H.  The five W’s are: Where, When, Who, What and why, and the one H is: How. When writing about your newspaper topic, consider the following questions:

• When did the incident happen (i.e. time and date)?
• Where did the incident take place?
• Who was involved?
• What exactly happened at the time?
• How exactly did it happen?
• Why do you think the incident occurred?

There is no specific order in how you address these questions, but we recommend starting with the When, Where and Who. Then you can go into specific details using the What, How and Why. 

Another neat element of newspaper articles is getting quotes from witnesses on the scene or even interviews. In fact, your whole newspaper article could be an exclusive interview with someone famous or an all-time criminal. In this case, you could consider the 5 W’s and 1 H technique in your interview questions.

Don’t worry, newspapers aren’t all just black and white text. They can also include pictures, photographs and drawings. Try including some illustrations in your own articles. But remember, whenever you include an image, try to also include a short caption to describe that image to the readers. Think about why you are showing this image? What is the purpose of this image in your article? Is it showing something crucial?

Now an important point about being a newspaper reporter is to always use credible sources in your article. Of course, if you writing an imaginary newspaper about dragons and fairies – then credible sources don’t matter so much. But when it comes to the real world of journalism, credibility is everything. Fake news does more damage than good – So know your sources, do your research and include the correct facts in your article.

Finally, we always recommend that you draft and plan out your newspaper article before writing it out for real. Use a piece of scrap paper to write down notes of the event and your research findings. Once everything looks good, you can transfer these notes to your final newspaper article.

Have you tried writing your own newspaper article at home? Share your articles in the comments below!

Newspaper Headline Ideas

Some more newspaper headline ideas to inspire you:

• Mysterious Martian Caught Eating Own Socks
• Opera Singer Breaks Record For Most Hula Hoops In 60 Seconds
• Prisoner Discovers A New Island
• Teddy Bear Owns Most Expensive Toothbrush In The World
• Superhero Stuck In Supermarket Freezer For 3 Days
• Teen Mom Suspected Of Murder
• Space Ant Discovers A New Island
• Local Woman Grows Pink Bananas In Backyard
• Space Ant Confesses To Stealing Socks
• Rapper Predicts The Future
• Billionaire Voted Most Smartest Person
• Super Dad Found Guilty Of The Great Toilet Paper Robbery
• Infamous Gangster Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Paper Doll Predicts The Future
• Baby Llama Caught Stealing Bananas
• Local Boy Caught Stealing Bananas
• Teddy Bear Threatens Group Of School Children
• Mother Of Five Catches A Deadly Disease
• Princess Found Sleeping In Woods For The 80Th Time
• Super Dad Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Cheerleader Donates Over 10 Million To Unique Cause
• Paper Doll Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Police Officer Locked In Bathroom For 12 Weeks
• Police Officer Cracks Code In World Famous Painting
• Famous Celebrity Owns Most Expensive Toothbrush In The World
• Paper Doll Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Local Girl Owns Most Expensive Toothbrush In The World
• Newborn Puppy Suspected Of Art Theft
• Dentist Denies Role In Cake Competition Disaster
• Prisoner Owns Most Expensive Toothbrush In The World
• Local Woman Voted Most Annoying Person
• Local Man Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Baby Llama Goes Viral With Rare Footage
• Super Dad Discovers A New Island
• Wild Baboon Found Sleeping In Woods For The 80Th Time
• Newborn Puppy Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Teen Mom Performs The Great Magic Trick Of All Time
• Mysterious Martian Gets A Lifetime Ban From All Restaurants
• Baby Llama Caught Eating Own Socks
• Superhero Discovers A New Planet
• Baby Llama Found Sleeping In Woods For The 80Th Time
• Sick Boy Performs The Great Magic Trick Of All Time
• Local Man Suspected Of Murder
• Werewolf Boy Denies Role In Cake Competition Disaster
• Teddy Bear Linked To Global Health Scare
• 1 Year Old Caught Stealing Bananas
• Teen Mom Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Princess Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Local Woman Caught Eating Own Socks
• Dentist Wins Cabbage Growing Contest For 5Th Time
• Paper Doll Grows Pink Bananas In Backyard
• Pink Poodle Wins Charity Football Match
• Space Ant Threatens Group Of School Children
• Prince Caught Stealing Bananas
• Teddy Bear Wins Charity Football Match
• Dentist Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Local Girl Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Youtube Star Voted Most Smartest Person
• Cheerleader Found Sleeping In Woods For The 80Th Time
• 1 Year Old Confirms End Of World
• Prisoner Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Fire-Breathing Beast Donates 30 Billion Chocolate Bars To Orphans
• Prince Discovers A New Planet
• Werewolf Boy Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Cheerleader Declares War
• Local Girl Threatens Group Of School Children
• Wild Baboon Predicts The Future
• Firefighter Threatens Group Of School Children
• Tv Presenter Stuck In Supermarket Freezer For 3 Days
• Super Dad Blamed For Earthquake
• Mysterious Martian Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Superhero Declares War
• Sick Boy Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Dentist Blamed For Earthquake
• 1 Year Old Catches A Deadly Disease
• Secret Cult Leader Cracks Code In World Famous Painting
• Evil Scientist Locked In Bathroom For 12 Weeks
• Hairdresser Likely To Win Popular Tv Show
• Dentist Donates 30 Billion Chocolate Bars To Orphans
• Prince Performs The Great Magic Trick Of All Time
• Pink Poodle Blamed For Earthquake
• Police Officer Wins Charity Football Match
• Tv Presenter Gets A Lifetime Ban From All Restaurants
• Teddy Bear Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Prisoner Threatens Group Of School Children
• Local Woman Donates Over 10 Million To Unique Cause
• Sick Boy Wins Cabbage Growing Contest For 5Th Time
• Werewolf Boy Predicts The Future
• Teddy Bear Escapes From Prison
• Cheerleader Blamed For Earthquake
• Werewolf Boy Goes Viral With Rare Footage
• Paper Doll Wins Charity Football Match
• Police Officer Breaks Record For Most Hula Hoops In 60 Seconds
• Baby Llama Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Space Ant Voted Most Smartest Person
• Police Officer Discovers Secret To A Long Life
• Infamous Gangster Invades Earth
• Hairdresser Linked To Global Health Scare
• Firefighter Discovers New Breed Of Owls
• Tv Presenter Predicts The Future
• Tv Presenter Found Guilty Of The Great Toilet Paper Robbery
• Youtube Star Catches A Deadly Disease
• Hairdresser Confesses To Stealing Socks
• Fire-Breathing Beast Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Superhero Voted Most Annoying Person
• Wild Baboon Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Youtube Star Confesses To Stealing Socks
• Space Ant Donates Over 10 Million To Unique Cause
• Footballer Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Baby Llama Gets A Lifetime Ban From All Restaurants
• Local Girl Linked To Global Health Scare
• Sick Boy Discovers New Breed Of Owls
• Space Ant Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Secret Cult Leader Discovers A New Island
• Dentist Escapes From London Zoo
• Doctor Gets A Lifetime Ban From All Restaurants
• Superhero Cracks Code In World Famous Painting
• Police Officer Wins Weightlifting Contest
• Evil Scientist Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Local Woman Breaks Record For Longest Dance Party
• Rapper Scores The Best Goal In History
• Local Boy Invades Earth
• Prisoner Escapes From London Zoo
• Police Officer Banned From Nine Countries
• Billionaire Arrested For the 67Th Time
• Super Dad Threatens Group Of School Children
• Teen Mom Scores The Best Goal In History
• Werewolf Boy Breaks Record For Longest Dance Party
• Mother Of Five Caught Stealing Bananas
• Rabbit Declares War
• Pink Poodle Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Footballer Found Guilty Of The Great Toilet Paper Robbery
• Billionaire Performs The Great Magic Trick Of All Time
• Opera Singer Predicts The Future
• Tv Presenter Goes Viral With Rare Footage
• Local Boy Escapes From London Zoo
• Opera Singer Goes Viral With Rare Footage
• Prince Confirms End Of World
• Local Man Denies Role In Cake Competition Disaster
• Paper Doll Catches A Deadly Disease
• Billionaire Blamed For Earthquake
• Cheerleader Bakes World Largest Fruit Cake
• Youtube Star Banned From Nine Countries
• Billionaire Breaks Record For Most Hula Hoops In 60 Seconds
• Local Woman Banned From Nine Countries
• Hairdresser Wins Cabbage Growing Contest For 5Th Time
• Teen Mom Catches A Deadly Disease
• Newborn Puppy Found Guilty Of The Great Toilet Paper Robbery
• Billionaire Likely To Win Popular Tv Show
• Tv Presenter Cracks Code In World Famous Painting
• Teen Mom Breaks Record For Longest Dance Party
• Wild Baboon Escapes From London Zoo
• Infamous Gangster Wins Charity Football Match
• Local Girl Invades Earth
• Teen Mom Predicts The Future
• Local Man Confesses To Stealing Socks
• Local Man Stuck In Supermarket Freezer For 3 Days
• Opera Singer Declares War
• Firefighter Discovers A New Planet
• Sick Boy Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Hairdresser Discovers New Breed Of Owls
• Mysterious Martian Catches A Deadly Disease
• Doctor Voted Most Annoying Person
• Firefighter Denies Role In Forest Destruction
• Angry Bird Breaks Record For Longest Dance Party
• Police Officer Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Cheerleader Caught Stealing Bananas
• Opera Singer Blamed For Earthquake
• Angry Bird Breaks Record For Most Hula Hoops In 60 Seconds
• Fire-Breathing Beast Found Sleeping In Woods For The 80Th Time
• Teddy Bear Confirms End Of World
• Mysterious Martian Denies Role In Forest Destruction
• Pink Poodle Locked In Bathroom For 12 Weeks
• Pink Poodle Denies Role In Cake Competition Disaster
• Teddy Bear Voted Most Annoying Person
• Youtube Star Cracks Code In World Famous Painting
• Wild Baboon Discovers Secret Underground Tunnel
• Cheerleader Wins Cabbage Growing Contest For 5Th Time
• Mysterious Martian Confirms End Of World
• Princess Wins Weightlifting Contest
• 1 Year Old Threatens Group Of School Children
• Angry Bird Voted Most Smartest Person
• Mysterious Martian Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Famous Celebrity Wins World-Famous Dance Contest
• Angry Bird Discovers Secret To A Long Life
• Hairdresser Discovers Secret To A Long Life
• Teddy Bear Suspected Of Murder
• Secret Cult Leader Denies Role In Forest Destruction
• Werewolf Boy Caught On Tape Stealing Candy
• Footballer Owns Most Expensive Toothbrush In The World
• Angry Bird Stuck In Supermarket Freezer For 3 Days
• Fire-Breathing Beast Discovers A New Island
• Opera Singer Gets A Lifetime Ban From All Restaurants
• Local Woman Catches A Deadly Disease

Did you find this newspaper headline generator useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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More From Forbes

How not to write your college essay.

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If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” college essay, you have come to the wrong place. The reality is there is no silver bullet or strategy to write your way to an acceptance. There is not one topic or approach that will guarantee a favorable outcome.

At the end of the day, every admission office just wants to know more about you, what you value, and what excites you. They want to hear about your experiences through your own words and in your own voice. As you set out to write your essay, you will no doubt get input (both sought-after and unsolicited) on what to write. But how about what NOT Notcoin to write? There are avoidable blunders that applicants frequently make in drafting their essays. I asked college admission leaders, who have read thousands of submissions, to share their thoughts.

Don’t Go In There

There is wide consensus on this first one, so before you call on your Jedi mind tricks or predictive analytics, listen to the voices of a diverse range of admission deans. Peter Hagan, executive director of admissions at Syracuse University, sums it up best, saying, “I would recommend that students try not to get inside of our heads. He adds, “Too often the focus is on what they think we want.”

Andy Strickler, dean of admission and financial aid at Connecticut College agrees, warning, “Do NOT get caught in the trap of trying to figure out what is going to impress the admission committee. You have NO idea who is going to read your essay and what is going to connect with them. So, don't try to guess that.” Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment, at Scripps College adds, “Do not write about something you don’t care about.” She says, “I think students try to figure out what an admission officer wants to read, and the reality is the reader begins every next essay with no expectations about the content THEY want to read.” Chrystal Russell, dean of admission at Hampden-Sydney College, agrees, saying, “If you're not interested in writing it, we will not be interested when reading it.” Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont elaborates, advising. “Don’t try to make yourself sound any different than you are.” He says, “The number one goal for admission officers is to better understand the applicant, what they like to do, what they want to do, where they spend the majority of their time, and what makes them tick. If a student stays genuine to that, it will shine through and make an engaging and successful essay.”

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Don’t Be Artificial

The headlines about college admission are dominated by stories about artificial intelligence and the college essay. Let’s set some ground rules–to allow ChatGPT or some other tool to do your work is not only unethical, it is also unintelligent. The only worse mistake you could make is to let another human write your essay for you. Instead of preoccupying yourself with whether or not colleges are using AI detection software (most are not), spend your time focused on how best to express yourself authentically. Rick Clark is the executive director of strategic student success at Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the first institutions to clearly outline their AI policy for applicants. He says, “Much of a college application is devoted to lines, boxes, and numbers. Essays and supplements are the one place to establish connection, personality, and distinction. AI, in its current state, is terrible at all three.” He adds, “My hope is that students will use ChatGPT or other tools for brainstorming and to get started, but then move quickly into crafting an essay that will provide insight and value.”

Don’t Overdo It

Michael Stefanowicz, vice president for enrollment management at Landmark College says, “You can only cover so much detail about yourself in an admission essay, and a lot of students feel pressure to tell their life story or choose their most defining experience to date as an essay topic. Admission professionals know that you’re sharing just one part of your lived experience in the essay.” He adds, “Some of the favorite essays I’ve read have been episodic, reflecting on the way you’ve found meaning in a seemingly ordinary experience, advice you’ve lived out, a mistake you’ve learned from, or a special tradition in your life.” Gary Ross, vice president for admission and financial aid at Colgate University adds, “More than a few applicants each year craft essays that talk about the frustration and struggles they have experienced in identifying a topic for their college application essay. Presenting your college application essay as a smorgasbord of topics that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor does not give us much insight into an applicant.”

Don’t Believe In Magic

Jason Nevinger, senior director of admission at the University of Rochester warns, “Be skeptical of anyone or any company telling you, ‘This is the essay that got me into _____.’ There is no magic topic, approach, sentence structure, or prose that got any student into any institution ever.” Social media is littered with advertisements promising strategic essay help. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money trying to emulate a certain style, topic, or tone. Liz Cheron is chief executive officer for the Coalition for College and former assistant vice president of enrollment & dean of admissions at Northeastern University. She agrees with Nevinger, saying “Don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect, slam dunk topic. The vast majority of college essays do exactly what they're supposed to do–they are well-written and tell the admission officer more about the student in that student's voice–and that can take many different forms.”

Don’t Over Recycle

Beatrice Atkinson-Myers, associate director of global recruitment at the University of California at Santa Cruz tells students, “Do not use the same response for each university; research and craft your essay to match the program at the university you are interested in studying. Don't waste time telling me things I can read elsewhere in your application. Use your essay to give the admissions officer insights into your motivations, interests, and thinking. Don't make your essay the kitchen sink, focus on one or two examples which demonstrate your depth and creativity.” Her UC colleague, Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the University of California at San Diego agrees, saying “Answer the question. Not doing so is the surest way we can tell you are simply giving us a snippet of something you actually wrote for a different purpose.”

Don’t Overedit

Emily Roper-Doten, vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial assistance at Clark University warns against “Too many editors!” She says, “Pick a couple of trusted folks to be your sounding board when considering topics and as readers once you have drafts. You don’t want too many voices in your essay to drown you out!” Scripps’ Romero agrees, suggesting, “Ask a good friend, someone you trust and knows you well, to read your essays.” She adds, “The goal is for the admission committee to get to know a little about you and who better to help you create that framework, than a good friend. This may not work for all students because of content but helps them understand it’s important to be themselves.” Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at The University of Pennsylvania adds, “Avoid well-meaning editorial interference that might seem to polish your writing but actually takes your own personal ‘shine’ right out of the message.” She says, “As readers, we connect to applicants through their genuine tone and style. Considering editorial advice for flow and message is OK but hold on to the 'you' for what you want to say and how you want to say it.”

Don’t Get Showy

Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, “Don’t be fancier than you are. You don’t need to put on airs.” He adds, “Yes, proofread your work for grammar and spelling, but be natural. Craft something you’d want to read yourself, which probably means keeping your paragraphs short, using familiar words, and writing in an active voice.” Connecticut College’s Strickler agrees, warning, “Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are not funny, don't try to write a funny essay. If you are not an intellectual, trying to write an intellectual essay is a bad idea.”

Anthony Jones, the vice president of enrollment management at Loyola University New Orleans offers a unique metaphor for thinking about the essay. He says, “In the new world of the hyper-fast college admission process, it's become easy to overlook the essential meaning of the college application. It's meant to reveal Y...O...U, the real you, not some phony digital avatar. Think of the essay as the essence of that voice but in analog. Like the completeness and authenticity captured in a vinyl record, the few lines you're given to explain your view should be a slow walk through unrestrained expression chock full of unapologetic nuances, crevices of emotion, and exactness about how you feel in the moment. Then, and only then, can you give the admissions officer an experience that makes them want to tune in and listen for more.”

Don’t Be A Downer

James Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at The University of Chicago says, “Don’t be negative about other people, be appreciative of those who have supported you, and be excited about who you are and what you will bring to our campus!” He adds, “While admissions offices want smart students for our classrooms, we also want kind-hearted, caring, and joyous students who will add to our campus communities too.”

Don’t Pattern Match

Alan Ramirez is the dean of admission and financial aid at Sewanee, The University of the South. He explains, “A big concern I have is when students find themselves comparing their writing to other students or past applicants and transform their writing to be more like those individuals as a way to better their chances of offering a more-compelling essay.” He emphasizes that the result is that the “essay is no longer authentic nor the best representation of themselves and the whole point of the essay is lost. Their distinctive voice and viewpoint contribute to the range of voices in the incoming class, enhancing the diversity of perspectives we aim to achieve.” Ramirez simple tells students, “Be yourself, that’s what we want to see, plus there's no one else who can do it better than you!”

Don’t Feel Tied To A Topic

Jessica Ricker is the vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College. She says, “Sometimes students feel they must tell a story of grief or hardship, and then end up reliving that during the essay-writing process in ways that are emotionally detrimental. I encourage students to choose a topic they can reflect upon positively but recommend that if they choose a more challenging experience to write about, they avoid belaboring the details and instead focus on the outcome of that journey.” She adds, "They simply need to name it, frame its impact, and then help us as the reader understand how it has shaped their lens on life and their approach moving forward.”

Landmark College’s Stefanowicz adds, “A lot of students worry about how personal to get in sharing a part of their identity like your race or heritage (recalling last year’s Supreme Court case about race-conscious admissions), a learning difference or other disability, your religious values, LGBTQ identity…the list goes on.” He emphasizes, “This is always your choice, and your essay doesn’t have to be about a defining identity. But I encourage you to be fully yourself as you present yourself to colleges—because the college admission process is about finding a school where your whole self is welcome and you find a setting to flourish!”

Don’t Be Redundant

Hillen Grason Jr., dean of admission at Franklin & Marshall College, advises, “Don't repeat academic or co-curricular information that is easily identifiable within other parts of your application unless the topic is a core tenant of you as an individual.” He adds, “Use your essay, and other parts of your application, wisely. Your essay is the best way to convey who your authentic self is to the schools you apply. If you navigated a situation that led to a dip in your grades or co-curricular involvement, leverage the ‘additional information’ section of the application.

Thomas Marr is a regional manager of admissions for the Americas at The University of St Andrews in Scotland and points out that “Not all international schools use the main college essay as part of their assessment when reviewing student applications.” He says, “At the University of St Andrews, we focus on the supplemental essay and students should avoid the mistake of making the supplemental a repeat of their other essay. The supplemental (called the Personal Statement if using the UCAS application process) is to show the extent of their passion and enthusiasm for the subject/s to which they are applying and we expect about 75% of the content to cover this. They can use the remaining space to mention their interests outside of the classroom. Some students confuse passion for the school with passion for their subject; do not fall into that trap.”

A Few Final Don’ts

Don’t delay. Every college applicant I have ever worked with has wished they had started earlier. You can best avoid the pitfalls above if you give yourself the time and space to write a thoughtful essay and welcome feedback openly but cautiously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect . Do your best, share your voice, and stay true to who you are.

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Keep your kettle whistling all year round by growing your own tea plants

This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a Camellia sinensis flower blooming on a plant. The plant’s leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden via AP)

This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a hedge of Camellia sinensis plants. The plant’s leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden via AP)

This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a small Camellia sinensis plant. The plant’s leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden via AP)

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The typical backyard food grower is familiar with planting greens, tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs, berries and other staples, plus perhaps a few exotic crops that are difficult to find at the grocery store. Beverages, however, aren’t usually at the top of their lists.

I’ve written about growing coffee indoors, but that’s more for sport than supply, as an average houseplant can be expected to produce only enough beans for a single cup. Growing tea plants in the garden, however, can provide enough leaves to keep your kettle whistling year-round.

Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, a cold-hardy variety native to China, is a multi-branched shrub best for growing in U.S. hardiness zones 7 and 8 , although it may survive winters in zone 6b with protection. Camelia sinensis var. assamica, which leans more tree than shrub, is native to India and only recommended for zones 8 and up. Some other cultivars may push those boundaries.

These evergreen plants are easy to grow in deep shade to full sun (although part sun or light shade are ideal), requiring only well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Young plants will take roughly two years to produce enough leaves for a sufficient harvest. In five years, a single plant should provide enough to supply a moderate tea drinker. Need more? Plant more.

White, green, black and oolong teas all come from the same plant, but their differences are due to harvesting practices and post-harvest leaf-oxidation treatments.

For white tea, pluck the buds from each stem tip before they fully open. Heat in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, then cool and store in an airtight container.

For green, black and oolong tea, pluck two or three of the youngest leaves from each stem, along with the leaf bud from each stem tip, every 10-12 days as new shoots develop. Then proceed as follows for the type of tea desired.

Briefly steam leaves over boiling water, then spread on a dish towel and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Roll the leaves up in the towel and squeeze very gently to absorb excess moisture. Remove from the towel, separate leaves and place on a cookie sheet. Heat in an oven or toaster oven set to 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until dehydrated. Brew immediately or cool and store in an airtight container for future use.

Oolong tea:

Spread leaves in a single layer on a cookie sheet or tray and allow to wilt in a sunny outdoor spot. After 30-60 minutes, move the tray into the shade and toss the leaves every hour for 8-10 hours. Next, place in a wide pan and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, tossing gently as needed to prevent scorching. Cool, then roll each leaf individually to preserve its oils and flavors. Allow to dry completely before storing in an airtight container.

Place leaves on a baking sheet set in the sun for 10-12 hours to remove only 50% to 75% of their moisture, then cut into strips and roll into small balls. Ferment by placing the balls in a humid, 78- to 80-degree room until they turn coppery-black, then dry in an oven set at 200°F for 5 minutes. Lower heat to 140°F and continue drying for an additional hour. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter . You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening .

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OPINION ANALYSIS

Supreme court strikes down chevron , curtailing power of federal agencies.

This article was updated on June 28 at 3:46 p.m.

In a major ruling, the Supreme Court on Friday cut back sharply on the power of federal agencies to interpret the laws they administer and ruled that courts should rely on their own interpretion of ambiguous laws. The decision will likely have far-reaching effects across the country, from environmental regulation to healthcare costs.

By a vote of 6-3, the justices overruled their landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council , which gave rise to the doctrine known as the Chevron doctrine. Under that doctrine, if Congress has not directly addressed the question at the center of a dispute, a court was required to uphold the agency’s interpretation of the statute as long as it was reasonable. But in a 35-page ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts, the justices rejected that doctrine, calling it “fundamentally misguided.”

Justice Elena Kagan dissented, in an opinion joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Kagan predicted that Friday’s ruling “will cause a massive shock to the legal system.”

When the Supreme Court first issued its decision in the Chevron case more than 40 years ago, the decision was not necessarily regarded as a particularly consequential one. But in the years since then, it became one of the most important rulings on federal administrative law, cited by federal courts more than 18,000 times.

Although the Chevron decision – which upheld the Reagan-era Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act that eased regulation of emissions – was generally hailed by conservatives at the time, the ruling eventually became a target for those seeking to curtail the administrative state, who argued that courts, rather than federal agencies, should say what the law means. The justices had rebuffed earlier requests (including by one of the same lawyers who argued one of the cases here) to consider overruling Chevron before they agreed last year to take up a pair of challenges to a rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The agency had required the herring industry to pay for the costs, estimated at $710 per day, associated with carrying observers on board their vessels to collect data about their catches and monitor for overfishing.

The agency stopped the monitoring in 2023 because of a lack of funding. While the program was in effect, the agency reimbursed fishermen for the costs of the observers.

After two federal courts of appeals rebuffed challenges to the rules, two sets of commercial fishing companies came to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to weigh in.

The justices took up their appeals, agreeing to address only the Chevron question in Relentless v. Department of Commerce and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo . (Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in the Relentless case but was recused from the Loper-Bright case, presumably because she had heard oral argument in the case while she was still a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.)

Chevron deference, Roberts explained in his opinion for the court on Friday, is inconsistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, a federal law that sets out the procedures that federal agencies must follow as well as instructions for courts to review actions by those agencies. The APA, Roberts noted, directs courts to “decide legal questions by applying their own judgment” and therefore “makes clear that agency interpretations of statutes — like agency interpretations of the Constitution — are not entitled to deference. Under the APA,” Roberts concluded, “it thus remains the responsibility of the court to decide whether the law means what the agency says.”

Roberts rejected any suggestion that agencies, rather than courts, are better suited to determine what ambiguities in a federal law might mean. Even when those ambiguities involve technical or scientific questions that fall within an agency’s area of expertise, Roberts emphasized, “Congress expects courts to handle technical statutory questions” – and courts also have the benefit of briefing from the parties and “friends of the court.”

Moreover, Roberts observed, even if courts should not defer to an agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute that it administers, it can consider that interpretation when it falls within the agency’s purview, a doctrine known as Skidmore deference.

Stare decisis – the principle that courts should generally adhere to their past cases – does not provide a reason to uphold the Chevron doctrine, Roberts continued. Roberts characterized the doctrine as “unworkable,” one of the criteria for overruling prior precedent, because it is so difficult to determine whether a statute is indeed ambiguous.

And because of the Supreme Court’s “constant tinkering with” the doctrine, along with its failure to rely on the doctrine in eight years, there is no reason for anyone to rely on Chevron . To the contrary, Roberts suggested, the Chevron doctrine “allows agencies to change course even when Congress has given them no power to do so.”

Roberts indicated that the court’s decision on Friday would not require earlier cases that relied on Chevron to be overturned. “Mere reliance on Chevron cannot constitute a ‘special justification’ for overruling” a decision upholding agency action, “because to say a precedent relied on Chevron is, at best, just an argument that the precedent was wrongly decided” – which is not enough, standing along, to overrule the case.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on Monday on when the statute of limitations to challenge agency action begins to run. The federal government has argued in that case, Corner Post v. Federal Reserve , that if the challenger prevails, it would open the door for a wide range of “belated challenges to agency regulation.”

Justice Clarence Thomas penned a brief concurring opinion in which he emphasized that the Chevron doctrine was inconsistent not only with the Administrative Procedure Act but also with the Constitution’s division of power among the three branches of government. The Chevron doctrine, he argued, requires judges to give up their constitutional power to exercise their independent judgment, and it allows the executive branch to “exercise powers not given to it.”

Justice Neil Gorsuch filed a longer (33-page) concurring opinion in which he emphasized that “[t]oday, the Court places a tombstone on Chevron no one can miss. In doing so, the Court returns judges to interpretative rules that have guided federal courts since the Nation’s founding.” He sought to downplay the impact of Friday’s ruling, contending that “all today’s decision means is that, going forward, federal courts will do exactly as this Court has since 2016, exactly as it did before the mid-1980s, and exactly as it had done since the founding: resolve cases and controversies without any systemic bias in the government’s favor.”

Kagan, who read a summary of her dissent from the bench, was sharply critical of the decision to overrule the Chevron doctrine. Congress often enacts regulatory laws that contain ambiguities and gaps, she observed, which agencies must then interpret. The question, as she framed it, is “[w]ho decides which of the possible readings” of those laws should prevail?

For 40 years, she stressed, the answer to that question has generally been “the agency’s,” with good reason: Agencies are more likely to have the technical and scientific expertise to make such decisions. She emphasized the deep roots that Chevron has had in the U.S. legal system for decades. “It has been applied in thousands of judicial decisions. It has become part of the warp and woof of modern government, supporting regulatory efforts of all kinds — to name a few, keeping air and water clean, food and drugs safe, and financial markets honest.”

By overruling the Chevron doctrine, Kagan concluded, the court has created a “jolt to the legal system.”

Kagan also pushed back against the majority’s suggestion that overruling the Chevron doctrine would introduce clarity into judicial review of agency interpretations. Noting the majority’s assurances that agency interpretations may be entitled to “respect” going forward, she observed that “[i]f the majority thinks that the same judges who argue today about where ‘ambiguity’ resides are not going to argue tomorrow about what ‘respect’ requires, I fear it will be gravely disappointed.”

Similarly, she questioned the majority’s assertion that Friday’s decision would not call into question decisions that relied on the Chevron doctrine to uphold agency action. “Courts motivated to overrule an old Chevron -based decision can always come up with something to label a ‘special justification,’” she posited. “All a court need do is look to today’s opinion to see how it is done.”

But more broadly, Kagan rebuked her colleagues in the majority for what she characterized as a judicial power grab. She lamented that, by overruling Chevron , the court had, in “one fell swoop,” given “itself exclusive power over every open issue — no matter how expertise-driven or policy-laden — involving the meaning of regulatory law.”

Roman Martinez, who argued the case on behalf of one of the fishing companies, applauded the decision. “By ending  Chevron  deference,” he said in a statement, “the Court has taken a major step to preserve the separation of powers and shut down unlawful agency overreach. Going forward, judges will be charged with interpreting the law faithfully, impartially, and independently, without deference to the government. This is a win for individual liberty and the Constitution,”

But Kym Meyer, the litigation director for the Southern Environmental Law Center, decried the ruling in a statement. “[T]he Supreme Court today says individual judges around the country should decide the best reading of a statute. That is a recipe for chaos, as hundreds of federal judges — who lack the expertise of agency personnel — are certain to reach inconsistent results on the meaning of federal laws as applied to complex, technical issues.”

Friday’s ruling came in one of three cases during the 2023-24 term seeking to curtail the power of federal agencies – a conservative effort sometimes dubbed the “war on the administrative state.” In October, the court heard arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of the mechanism used to fund the consumer watchdog Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Last month the court upheld the CFPB’s funding by a 7-2 vote. And on Thursday, the justices pared back the power of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other administrative agencies, holding that the SEC cannot continue to use in-house proceedings to impose fines in securities fraud cases.  

The fishermen in both cases were represented at no cost by conservative legal groups, the Cause of Action Institute and the New Civil Liberties Alliance, linked to funding from billionaire and longtime anti-regulation advocate Charles Koch .  

This article was originally published at Howe on the Court . 

Posted in Featured , Merits Cases

Cases: Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo , Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce

Recommended Citation: Amy Howe, Supreme Court strikes down Chevron , curtailing power of federal agencies , SCOTUSblog (Jun. 28, 2024, 12:37 PM), https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-chevron-curtailing-power-of-federal-agencies/

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Rumors Claim You Must Use Pencils — Not Pens — on UK Ballots. Here's the Truth

Some social media users falsely claimed "you must vote with pencil" or "don't write in pen.", nick hardinges, published june 25, 2024.

Preparing to go to the polls on July 4, 2024, for the United Kingdom's  first national election in five years , some Brits are seemingly confused about whether they should use pencils or pens to mark ballots. A number of them claimed polling stations only provide pencils  and  encouraged followers to bring their own pens for voting to supposedly " make sure there is no tampering." 

For instance, on June 19, an X user  questioned why election officials equipped polling booths with pencils, not pens ( archived ), and received responses such as, "so they can change your vote," and " always take a pen ." That post had amassed more than 288,000 views at the time of this writing.

Elsewhere on X, another user claimed "you must vote with pencil" in order for your ballot to be counted. Another X user wrote: "Don't write in pen."

Facebook users  also  questioned the  rules on writing utensils . "Just went to my polling station to vote and all the votes are being done in PENCIL [...]," one person claimed on May 2, the day of the U.K.'s local elections.

It is true that election officials provide pencils, not pens, at polling stations. However, the claim that that practice was part of a coordinated scheme to change people's ballots was nothing more than an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory. And assertions that one particular tool — a pen or pencil — makes ballots illegitimate are false. Voters can use either.

On July 4, when people in the U.K. enter polling booths, there will be pencils waiting for them, according to  the Electoral Commission , an independent agency that oversees elections and regulates political finance. "[But] you can use your own pen or pencil if you prefer," the commission wrote on its website.

The Electoral Commission's " UK Parliamentary general election media guide " states:

There is nothing in law which states whether a pen or a pencil should be used to mark a ballot paper. Pencils have been used to mark ballot papers for practical reasons: for example, with ink pens there is a chance the ink may dry out or spill. Also, ink may cause the mark which the voter has made to transfer when the ballot paper is folded, which could lead to the ballot paper being rejected. Should a voter wish to, they are able to use a pen to mark their ballot paper. 

Over the years, numerous British news outlets have published articles sharing election officials' rationale for equipping booths with pencils, not pens. For example, on May 4, 2023,  Bristol Live cited the Electoral Commission's media handbook for the 2017 election — which also said, "with ink pens there is always a risk that they may dry out or spill" and "ink may cause some transfer" of voters' markings.

LBC Radio , The Mirror  and  The Manchester Evening News  reported similar quotes by the commission in December 2019, May 2022 and May 2024, respectively.

'Equipment and materials to be provided for the polling station'.  The Electoral Commission , https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-local-returning-officers-administering-a-police-and-crime-commissioner-election-england-and/polling-station-voting/equipment-and-materials-be-provided-polling-station. Accessed 20 June 2024.

Holland, Paige, and Courtney Pochin. 'Voters Told to Use Pencils at Polling Booths When Voting This Week'. The Mirror , 5 May 2022, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/use-pencil-vote-polling-stations-26877766.

'Home page'. The Electoral Commission , https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/. Accessed 20 June 2024.

'How to Vote'.  The Electoral Commission , https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/welcome-your-vote/how-vote. Accessed 20 June 2024.

Thorp, Liam, and Andrew McQuarrie. 'Why Pencils Are Used at Polling Stations and Not Pens'. Bristol Live , 4 May 2023, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/polling-booths-election-pencils-pens-3630658.

'UK Parliamentary general election media guide'.  The Electoral Commission , https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/uk-parliamentary-general-election-media-guide. Accessed 25 June 2024.

Voting in Person.  The Electoral Commission , https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/resources-young-people/your-vote/ways-vote/voting-person. Accessed 20 June 2024.

'Why Do We Vote Using Pencils in General Elections?' LBC , https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/elections/general-election-2019/why-do-we-vote-using-pencils-in-general-elections/. Accessed 20 June 2024.

Why You Vote with a Pencil in the Local Elections 2024 - Manchester Evening News . https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/you-vote-pencil-local-elections-29082990. Accessed 20 June 2024.

By Nick Hardinges

Nick Hardinges is a London-based reporter who previously worked as a fact-checker at Reuters.

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Some Democrats start calling for Biden to step aside and 'throw in the towel' on 2024

Some Democrats began calling for President Joe Biden to step aside so the party can nominate another candidate after he stumbled badly in Thursday's debate against his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.

"This was like a champion boxer who gets in the ring past his prime and needs his corner to throw in the towel," said a Democratic lawmaker, adding that he meant Biden should exit the race.

The options for a switch are limited : If the president doesn't choose to leave of his own volition, there would have to be a revolt among Democratic National Convention delegates, the vast majority of whom were elected on their pledge to nominate Biden. But that's what some Democrats were thinking after Thursday night's debate.

It's “time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” said a second Democratic lawmaker who has been a solid Biden supporter.

The fear among these Democrats is that the version of Biden that showed up to the debate — one bearing a likeness to the caricature Trump and his allies have portrayed of a man unequipped for the job — cannot win in November.

Even those who want a replacement candidate doubt that the party can move Biden aside, aren’t certain who could win the party’s nod in his absence and don’t know whether a substitute could beat Trump in November. Going into the debate, which was hosted by CNN, polls showed a close race between Biden and Trump.“There is a sense of shock at how he came out at the beginning of this debate. How his voice sounded. He seemed a little disoriented. ... There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue,” David Axelrod, a top adviser to former President Barack Obama, said on CNN. “Only he can decide if he’s going to continue.”

Axelrod predicted that Biden wouldn’t be inclined to leave the race, noting that “this is a guy with a lot of pride ... who believes in himself.”

The last time a president who was eligible to run for re-election didn’t appear on the November ballot was in 1968, when Lyndon Johnson, facing certain defeat in the Democratic primaries, chose not to seek a full second term.

Still, several Democrats predicted that calls for Biden to take the Johnson route would multiply in the coming days.

“The chatter of replacement is absolutely going to explode,” said a veteran Democratic strategist who has worked on presidential campaigns. “There is no coming back from this disaster.”

At the same time, top Biden allies dismissed the prospect of a change at the top of the ticket. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat whom many in the party see as a potential Biden alternative or a future presidential candidate, said “no” when asked whether he would urge Biden to end his campaign.

“This is just bad, no matter how you spin it,” said a veteran Democratic operative. “But everyone knows it’s too late to switch. But the donors will make those decisions, as they always do. Hence why we got Biden” in 2020.

Before Thursday's debate, Trump's campaign released an ad telling voters that if they elect Biden, they will end up with Vice President Kamala Harris as president — a suggestion that the octogenarian president would die in office or have to resign. The biggest question Democrats would have to resolve if Biden dropped out of the race before the convention is whether they would nominate Harris — whose approval ratings , like Biden's, are underwater. Others who were mentioned Thursday night include Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“I look forward to being in Chicago when Gavin Newsom is nominated from the floor,” a Democratic strategist said after the first 20 minutes of the debate, adding about Biden: “Should have gone on offense on abortion. Can’t keep his train of thought.”

A Biden departure would leave Democrats with a potentially brutal fight over whether to simply elevate Harris, the first Black vice president and first female vice president — one that could split key base constituencies at a time when the party needs to unite if it hopes to win. Still, the prospect of a bloody intraparty battle didn't stop some operatives from concluding Biden should go.

"They need to change nomination now," a Democratic operative said. "Or just put Harris on top of the ticket."

A Democratic strategist with ties to Capitol Hill said lawmakers will be reluctant to publicly call for Biden to give up his campaign.

"No one wants to be the first," the strategist said. "But everyone is brushing up on DNC rules and procedures right now."

The same strategist explained his own affection for Biden and his record, pointing to the president's responses to wars in Europe and the Middle East, his personnel appointments and his domestic record — along with Biden's 2020 victory over Trump. But the strategist also thinks Biden must exit.

"I am for the first time beginning to think calling for Biden to step aside isn't heretical; it's the only responsible thing to do," he said. "If we lose this election to Trump because we were too afraid to admit we were wrong about his age or too worried of an open convention, we can no longer call our party the defenders of democracy."

Several current and former Democratic elected officials chose to keep their powder dry when asked about Biden's showing Thursday night.

"The best thing I can do to help Joe Biden is to pretend I didn't get your text," said a third Democratic lawmaker.

Jonathan Allen is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News, based in Washington.