News Story Planner

Week 2

News story planner

This news story planner will help you plan your news story, which is to be a maximum of three minutes.

Remember, it is only a guide. All news stories are different, so you may want to change some details. Use the blank template at the end for your team’s script.

Time / Pictures / Script / Notes
20 secs
Approx 60 words / [News presenter in the studio] / [Your introduction to the news story:
What is your team name?
Where are you reporting from?] / Your team’s news presenters will read this part out to introduce your news story.
1 min (approx)
Approx 120 words / [Video or photos to tell the story with pictures]
[You may use short interview grabs here as well] / [Setting the scene:
What is your story about?
What does the audience need to know about the issue?] / Think about watching the story without sound. Could you tell what it is about?
What might be the most interesting way to open your story? Think about music choices.
1 min (approx)
Approx 90 words + interviews + piece to camera / [Use a combination of the following to tell your story:
o video
o interviews
o piece to camera
You may want to try:
o graphics (for example, animation can be useful in explaining an idea)
o role plays, especially if you cannot find video] / [What is the problem or issue?
Give the audience some key facts.] / Make sure you have interviewees that tell different sides of the story (at least two people).
Remember not all the facts need to be in the script – just the important ones.
A piece to camera is where the reporter speaks directly to the camera ‘on the scene’ to explain part of the story.
1 min
(approx)
Approx 90 words + interviews / [Consider interviewing an expert or getting some opinions from members of the public] / [What’s the solution to the problem?
What’s happening now?
What might happen in the future?] / Think about a good ending for your story to keep your audience interested.
Have some fun!

Your team’s script

Time / Pictures / Script / Notes
20 secs
Approx 60 words
1 min (approx)
Approx 120 words
1 min (approx)
Approx 90 words + interviews + piece to camera
1 min
(approx)
Approx 90 words + interviews