Everyone out there tells you that you need to write stories in a straight fashion avoiding frills. But more often than not, we read stories laced with ornamentations in the print, internet or in the digital space. This is mainly because every media organisation follows what is called a style sheet that invariably differs from each other. Therefore, some make the reports by keeping the language simple while some others play up the story in a flowery or ornate language. Despite this, one can keep some basic principles to get the story communicated with the reader in a better way. Here are a few such suggestions that give your copy the essentials while leaving the style to the style sheets your organisation follows. This is in no way to suggest that one should follow a drab or rather pedestrian style that is soporific and put readers to sleep.
1. Stick To The Facts- PR Story
Sticking to the facts is central to story writing regardless of the genre of the style sheets that one follows. It is essential to get the facts right before you start writing a copy. Putting them in priority order is the next task. Finally, write the facts in a fashion that finds a ready connect with the readers. For example instead of writing X company makes N number of smartphones in India, it is better to say X Company makes two out of three smartphones sold in India. Also it is important is to make sure that the main story is not lost in details and avoidable explanations. And never editorialise you story since writing opinions are the prerogative of senior writers and editors.
2. Get The Right Angle- PR Story
You might have noticed that the same event is being reported differently by different publications. This is because every media organisation places a story keeping its readers in mind. This rule applies more to niche publications or news agencies with different geographical interests. However this does not prevent anybody from getting the right, if not interesting, angle for the story. For getting the right angle one should be on top of the news and should stay with news. This requires a bit of reading every day.
3. And The Correct Lede- PR Story
You can make or mar a story by the way you write what is called the lede (we often call it lead) or the opening sentence or paragraph of a news article, summarizing the most important aspects of the story. Since the opening sentence is like a gambit and the correct lede will make the rest of story. A flawed introduction will have editors, if not readers, junking the story without moving to the second paragraph.
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