Newspaper writing is surprisingly formulaic. You don’t have to be a great writer to be a good journalist. It helps, but when you are starting out, you have to dial back your ambition sometimes. Write ‘by the numbers’.

So I have a Noddy, small guide for trainee reporters. It’s stuff they ought to know, generally do know, but don’t always do. They take liberties with the way news is generally written, and unless they are really goo, it’s often a leap too far – or at least, they are leaping too soon.

This is it:

1. There needs to be an information download in the first two or three  paragraphs.

· Who are we talking about

· Where did this happen

· When did it happen

· Why did it happen

· How did it happen

· What happened

A thing happened in a place to a man.

This is who he is, when he did it, how he did it and why.

2. Your best quote – out of order if need be, comes next. It should be at least few sentences long ideally, not just one – more if it reads better.

John Smith, age here, job title here, of street name here, said: “Long quote goes here”.

3. The rest of the story flows next, generally quoting at least one other person.

4. Are we having a go at anyone? They need a right of reply. Is there an alternate view? Does it need to be put? Are we libelling anyone? Is there a defence (talk to editor!). Are we sure any facts we’re printing are true?

Putting together a newspaper is a bit like putting together a jigsaw. There’s the main piece (the lead), a couple of longer fillers (downpages) and a column of short stories down one side (nibs) generally. An average page might need a lead a downpage or two, and a column of three or four nibs.

Size guide

Nib – up to 150 / 200 words

Downpage – 200 – 350 words. Generally should have a photo.

Lead – 350 words and up, generally around 400/450, MUST have a photo. Before writing a lead ask, what photo am I sending with this? If there isn’t a photo, you may not have a lead.

If your lead is long, think -can I split part off and do a breakout?

Always ask – is there a “value added piece” I can do? A fact box or similar?