NEWSPAPER REPORT WRITING
A report is a brief account of an event that has already taken place. It helps in
recording events of importance that occurs in our day to day life and attempts to
present the first hand information of an incident or event. It includes one’s ideas,
opinions and impressions on the event.
Format
1. Headline- A descriptive title that is expressive of the contents of the report.
2. By line- Name of the person writing the report along with the designation. It is
generally given in the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your
personal details in your answer.
3. Place and date of reporting- It is generally not mentioned in a magazine report
separately, but here, it is.
4. Opening paragraph- It includes the expansion of the headline. It needs to be
short as it is a general overview of the report.
5. The account of the event in detail- It is generally written in two parts: First,
complete account of what happened in its chronological sequence (preferably)
and second, the witness remarks.
6. Concluding paragraph- This will include the action that has been taken so far
or that will be taken. It is the last paragraph.
Sample Question
1.Your state government has banned the use of plastic bags. You are Amarjeet, a
reporter of The National Herald. Write a report in 100-120 words on how the ban is
being ignored and what damage the indiscriminate use of plastic bags is causing to the
environment.
Environment Unfriendly Polybags
By: Amarjeet, Staff Reporter
Sharjah, September 11: In the year 2002 the government had banned the production
and use of plastic bags in our country. But unfortunately, these are now being widely
used again everywhere. Not only are we using a huge number of polybags daily but we
are also discarding them in our drains uncaring about the fact that they will block the
flow of drain water.
Polybags are also a threat to our environment. They cause pollution, kill wildlife and
are responsible for using up the natural resources of the earth. They are one of the main
factors that litter the landscape. If burnt, they will infuse the surrounding air with toxic
fumes. The main problem of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable.
The decomposition of plastic takes around thousand years, so with the plastic rubbish
produced each day it is likely that this problem will never be solved. While the
government works out ways to lessen the impact of polybags on the environment each
one of us too should shoulder some responsibility for this problem that ultimately harms
us all.
2.A major bus mishap which left several people seriously injured took place at
Nicholas Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Luckily no life was lost. Collect the
information from the eyewitnesses and send a report in 100-120 words to ‘The
Nungambakkam Times’. You are Vinod/Vinodhini, a reporter.
Bus Mishap
By Staff Reporter, Vinod
Chennai, February 14: A major bus mishap took place at Nicholas Road in
Nungambakkam, Chennai yesterday at about 10 a.m. It resulted in serious injuries to
almost twelve of the twenty-five passengers who were on board the bus. Luckily though,
there was no loss of life.
An eyewitness accounts how the high speeding bus overturned when it took a sharp turn
in an attempt to avert a collision with a truck that was coming in the wrong direction.
The authorities have arrested the truck driver for his negligence. The bus driver could
not be taken into custody for overspeeding as he is admitted in hospital with grievous
injuries.
The state government has announced a compensation of? 25,000 for those seriously
injured and ‘10,000 for those whose injurious are not very serious. A state-level inquiry
has also been ordered into the mishap.
3.As you were travelling by train, you happened to witness an accident at an
unmanned level crossing. As the reporter of a newspaper, write a report on the
accident, including details of the number of people injured and the extent of
damage caused.
Two Killed In Train Accident
By: ABC, Staff Correspondent
Delhi ,March 20: Two persons were killed when their car was hit by the KK Express
at an unmanned level crossing at Dabri Mor. They were rushed to a local hospital where
they were declared brought dead. The car driver was identified as Umesh (36) and the
other passenger as Soham (39).
Expressing sorrow and shock at the accident, the State Transport Minister, stressed the
need to set up manned level crossings, which should be taken up by the Centre.
According to eyewitnesses, at around 11:15 am, the car was at the level crossing and
stopped just before the KK Express was to pass, but unfortunately, it was too close to
the tracks. The car was thrown around 20 feet from the level crossing.
The area where the road crosses the railway tracks is unmanned, and according to local
residents, this is the second time within one year that a car has been hit by a train. An
enquiry has been ordered into the accident.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1.You are an eye-witness to a road accident resulting in loss of human life and property.
As a press reporter of National Herald, write a report in 100-125 words.
2.You visited a Job Fair organised by Ability Foundation at Chennai recently. You were
impressed to see that nearly 55 companies from various sectors such as information
technology, telecommunication, electronics etc. offered jobs to the final year students
of colleges. As a reporter of ‘The Deccan Times’, Chennai, prepare a report in 100-125
words. You are Peeyush/Priya.
3.You are Pulkil/Prema, a staff reporter of The Times of India. You have been asked to
cover an incident of daylight robbery on the outskirts of Delhi when the inmates were
present in the house. Write a report in 100-125 words.
4.You are an eye-witness to a road accident resulting in loss of human life and property.
As a press reporter of National Herald, write a report in 100-125 words.
5.A new indoor gymnasium has recently been constructed and inaugurated at APJ
International School at Goa. As special correspondent of ‘The Hindu’ draft a report in
100-125 words on the gymnasium and the inauguration ceremony.
6.Traffic police has launched a special drive against pollution causing vehicles. This
has led to traffic jams and crowds at important intersections. Write a report in 100-125
words to be published in ‘Chennai Times’. You are Prince/Priya, 12 M.G. Road,
Adayar, Chennai.
