News writing is a craft. It follows a simple but eloquent formula rooted in journalistic tradition with a universal set of basic guidelines.

Here is your guide to the fundamentals of news writing at Helium and beyond. Use these tips and resources to start thinking and writing like a journalist or to refresh your news-writing skills.

The five commandments of news writing:

1. Be concise, compelling and accurate.
2. Present your story in plain English. Avoid writing in abstract terms and don’t use jargon. Don’t write in cliches or use superlatives: The purpose of a news story is to inform your readers and make them understand the topic at hand.
3. Use the active voice as often as possible.
4. Remain objective. News writing is about presenting a fair and balanced story: Never use “I.” And don’t tell the readers what to think.
5. Write to readers. Write articles that your audience can relate to and understand. Learn how to be simple but not boring.

Writing a lead

Every news story starts with a lead, which should capture a reader’s attention and present the news hook. Don’t try to tell the entire story in your lead, but use it to capture your readers and make them want to read more.

A lead should be clear, concise and interesting. Don’t bury the news in your article: Always decide what the major news is and state it up front in the lead. Save secondary details and background information for later in the piece. For example, don’t use attributions in your lead. A good lead sets your story apart from the rest. A compelling lead can make your story stand out.

Tone

Make sure your presentation is impartial, as this will mark you as a professional.

Always set a good tone for your readers by paying attention to word choice. Short, familiar words are more inviting and accessible and are more likely to set a positive tone. Overly pedantic words can set a negative tone and frustrate readers.

Sourcing

A source is a person, publication or other record that provides you with information for your news story. A source can be a person whom you interview, a first-hand account of a situation, or a retelling of a situation through quotes, facts and attribution. In most cases, journalists use multiple sources to help tell a story.

Examples of common sources:

• People involved in the news that you are reporting
• Publications
• Official records
• Officials in government or business
• Organizations
• Corporations

Three must-know definitions when you are using sources in your reporting:

• “Off the record”: This means not for publication. Any information that you obtain “off the record” must be kept confidential.
• “On the record”: This refers to non-confidential information and can be attributed.
• “Not for attribution”: This means that you can use the information or material in your news story, but you cannot attribute it to your source.

To learn more about sourcing and attribution, visit the Poynter Ethics Journal Online to read the Washington Post’s Policies on Sources, Quotations, Attributions, and Datelines.

Interviewing

Interviewing is a fundamental skill used in news writing. A good interview adds a human voice to your story and makes an immediate connection with your readers. A good interview can help you paint a visual picture.

Good interviewing skills also help keep you informed as a journalist. As you talk with people to fully understand the situation that you are writing about, you’ll find that multiple sources will help you tell a fair and balanced story.

Like any skill, interviewing takes time, practice and research. Read the tips at News Lab to learn how to conduct a strong interview.

There is a variety of ways to use your interviews in your article. Direct quotes are an important element to any news story and can really make your piece come alive. Excellent note-taking (or recording) is essential here, since you must be sure you are quoting someone accurately. Explain beforehand that what the interviewee says may be used in your article. Be sure to use quotes that advance the story and accurately reflect the person’s thoughts and point of view. Paraphrase carefully if you need to sum up what the person is saying (but don’t use quotation marks unless it’s a direct quote).

Writer resources

• Resources for Helium citizen journalists include excellent resources to help you hone your skills for reporting and writing.
• Journalism tools— Journalism.org provides tools for citizens, professional journalists, students and teachers.
• A reference guide to using Internet sources— Complete guidelines on citing online sources.