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Creative Writing · Guide 8 of 10

Report or newspaper article

A headline that grabs, the key facts up front, quotes from people who were there: a newspaper article tells the reader what happened, clearly and quickly.

  • Ages 9 to 11
  • 11+ writing: Non-fiction
  • Model answer
  • Printable plan

What is it?

In this task you write a newspaper article or a report about an event: something real, like a school sports day, or something imagined, like a dragon sighting or a story you've just read told as news.

News writing is non-fiction. It's written in the third person and the past tense, answers the five Ws (who, what, where, when, why) early on, and uses quotes from witnesses. A report for a school magazine is similar but can be a little less formal.

How the task might be worded

  • “Write a newspaper article about the events in the passage.”
  • “Write a report for your school newsletter about a recent school event.”

What examiners look for

  • Newspaper features

    A short, catchy headline, a strapline or opening sentence that sums up the story, paragraphs and quotes.

  • The five Ws early

    Who, what, where, when and why should all be answered in the first paragraph or two.

  • Third person, past tense

    “Pupils at Oakfield Primary raised…”, not “I raised”, except inside quotes.

  • A formal, factual tone

    Facts, numbers and quotes rather than the reporter's own feelings.

  • Accurate punctuation of quotes

    Speech marks, commas and saying-verbs (said, explained, added) used correctly.

Plan template

Spend about 5 minutes planning. Notes and single words are fine: nobody marks the plan. Print this page to plan on paper.

  1. Headline

    • • Short and punchy.
    • • Try alliteration or a pun.

  2. Opening paragraph

    • • Who? What? Where? When?
    • • One or two sentences that sum up the story.

  3. Details

    • • What happened, in order?
    • • Numbers, names and facts.

  4. Quotes

    • • A witness or expert: what did they say?
    • • A second view, if there is one.

  5. Ending

    • • What happens next?
    • • A final quote or fact.

Model answer

The task: Write a newspaper article for your local paper about something surprising that happened in your town.

Runaway Llama Leads Town on Merry Chase

A llama named Dolly brought Bramley town centre to a standstill on Saturday morning after escaping from a nearby farm and wandering into the high street.

Shoppers watched in amazement as the fluffy white animal strolled past the bakery at around 10 a.m., stopping to sniff a display of flowers outside Bloom & Grow before heading towards the market square.

Farmer Ruth Evans, 54, from Hollow Lane Farm, said the llama had squeezed through a gap in a fence during the night. “Dolly is very curious and very determined,” she explained. “When I saw the empty field, I knew exactly where she'd be. She loves the smell of fresh bread.”

Police officers closed two roads for almost an hour while the farmer and volunteers gently guided Dolly into a horsebox. Nobody was hurt, although one café owner reported that a basket of apples had mysteriously disappeared.

Ten-year-old Jacob Hughes, who was shopping with his dad, described the scene. “Everyone was taking photos,” he said. “She looked really calm, like she came shopping every week.”

Mrs Evans has now repaired the fence and says Dolly is back in her field, “looking very pleased with herself”. The farm plans to hold an open day next month, when visitors can meet the town's most famous llama.

Checklist

Use it in the last five minutes, or to check a practice piece.

  • My article has a short, catchy headline.
  • My first paragraph answers who, what, where and when.
  • I wrote in the third person and the past tense.
  • I included at least two quotes, correctly punctuated.
  • I used facts and numbers, not my own opinions.
  • My last paragraph says what happens next.
  • Each paragraph covers one part of the story.

Common mistakes

  • Writing a story instead

    “It was a dark and stormy night…” is a story opening. News starts with the most important facts.

  • Using “I”

    The reporter stays out of the article. Feelings go into quotes from other people.

  • Quotes without speech marks

    A quote needs speech marks and a reporting verb: “It was amazing,” said Jacob.

  • A headline that's a full sentence

    “A llama escaped from a farm on Saturday and walked into town” is too long. Cut it to a few strong words.

Top tips

  • Give people names, ages and jobs: “Ruth Evans, 54, a farmer” sounds like real news.
  • Use the passive sometimes: “Two roads were closed.”
  • Columns and pictures aren't needed in an exam. Focus on the writing.
  • Read a children's newspaper to hear how news writing sounds.

Practice prompts

Practise this with a free account

4 practice questions on this topic, from easy to 11+ level. Reading the guide is free for everyone; practice is for members, and signing up is free.

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