Format: Catchy Title, Writer's Name and other details:
Give your report a catchy title using any figure of speech or sensational vocabulary.
This is followed by byline (writer's name), designation, name of publication, location and date in the following manner.
Lube Olympics Gets a Firm Grip on Japan
Varun Gohel
Local Correspondent
Sports Times
Tokyo, March 14, 2015
Other examples of catchy titles:
A Tie-Tanic Battle
(This headline appeared in The Times of India following England's victory over New Zealand at the Lords in the World Cup 2019 final. The title is a 'pun' on the words Tie and Titanic, the latter reflects the scale of thrill the event carried. The match ended with a tie, and even the super-over ended in a tie. England won on the basis of having scored more boundaries. Therefore, the pun is absolutely suitable.)
The New Sultan of Swing
(This catchy headline appeared on the day following Jasprit Bumrah's hat-trick against West Indies. There is alliteration as well as metaphor in the given title.)
Fatal Fall at Fun Park
(A report headline following a ride malfunction at an amusement park. There is alliteration in the title, and the word 'fatal' is an example of sensational vocabulary.)
Components and Structure of the Report Body:
1) Introductory Paragraph:
Summarize the main event you are reporting. Make sure to answer all the wh- questions in the first paragraph. The Why and the How can also be elaborated in the subsequent paragraphs if not suitable to be included in the introduction.
2) Detailing:
Write background of the main event i.e. what series of events led to the main event or elaborate the reported event with more details.
3) Return to the main event:
Come back full circle to the main event being reported so as to maintain the relevance and immediacy of the event.
4) Quotes:
Include quotes of the people involved.
e.g.
- participants, delegates, organizers or speakers at a seminar, function or a sport event
- volunteers, beneficiaries of a campaign
- victims or investigators of an incident
If the exact words as spoken by the person are used, put them inside quotation marks. This may be expressive as it is the point of view of the person involved, and not of the reporter. It can also be informal.
e.g.
"This visit has been extremely fruitful," said Jayant, one of the delegates from Kanpur. "We really enjoyed it a lot, and I'm sure my classmates did too."
5) Conclusion:
Conclude your report with the summary of present status or future expectations as relevant to the event or incident being reported.
Things to keep in mind:
- Be neutral in your report. It should be unbiased. Avoid words that reflect your emotions or favor towards one side.
- Do not use first person pronouns like 'I, we, us, me' etc.
- Use past tense to describe the events. However, you can use present tense for the headline.
Exercise 1:
[CBSE March 2023, Set 1]
Every Sunday morning, you have observed senior residents of the colony teaching children from the neighboring slums. You are impressed by this spirit of giving back to the community. You are Shalu/Shalin, news reporter for a national daily. Write a report in 120-150 words on this community initiative. You may use the following cues:
Spirit of Community - Senior Residents – volunteerism - Teach underprivileged children - Be a part of fundraising - Help with animal shelters - Join groups for clean-up drives |
The Old Molding the New Gold
- Shalin
News Reporter
Local XYZ Times
Nagpur, March 2, 2023
The senior residents of Gokuldham Society have taken a noble initiative and volunteered to ‘give something back’ to the community. One of their efforts involves teaching the underprivileged children of the nearby slums. Some of the old residents get together on Sunday mornings, and help these children fulfil their most basic educational needs.
These Samaritans also helped raise a fund of ₹34,000 last winter to provide warm clothes and blankets to the needy. As a result of their selfless and untiring efforts, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has established several animal shelters as well, housing nearly a couple of thousand animals. As a part of cleanliness drives, these veteran citizens have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with many other organizations to keep the city clean.
“Giving back to the society is such a pleasure,” says Anant, a volunteer. “This is how we make our little contribution to make this world a better place. We know that our efforts are worth when we see that smile on their faces. That is what keeps us going,” he adds.
The story of these Gokuldham senior citizens and their efforts is truly an inspirational message to people all across the country.
Exercise 2:
[CBSE March 2023, Set 2]
Write a report for the school magazine on a one day inter-school cricket match held in Suraj Public School, Chalapuram, Calicut. You may use the inputs given below. You are Sujatha / Anil – a student reporter. (120-150 words)
day, date, time, venue, scores of each team, outstanding individual scores, prizes and awards. |
Suraj Public School Shines Bright in the Inter-school Cricket Fest
- Sujatha
Student Reporter
SPS Times
Calicut, March 2, 2023
Suraj Public School defeated Precious Public School by 3 runs in a thrilling one-day inter-school cricket match here at SPS Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Precious Public School won the toss and elected to bowl first. After a shaky start, Suraj Public School posted a decent total of 289 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted quota of fifty overs. Abhay Verma, the captain led the way with example by scoring an unbeaten 139. The response of the opponent was equally determined with both their openers scoring half-centuries. However, against the spinning ball of Victor Vaghela, who bagged 6 wickets, PPS batsmen did not seem to have an answer. A cameo of quick 36 runs by Wasim Qureshi took them very close to the target, but a disciplined performance in the death overs finally clinched it for SPS.
Dr. Niraj Arora, the mayor of the city, and Mohit Upadhyay, the President of Students Sports Council distributed the awards to the winning team and the best performers of the day.
“It was a close game, wasn’t it?” said Abhay Verma, who was also adjudicated Man of the Match. “But we kept our nerves, got the basics right. And Victor really lived up to his name today.”
SPS now leads Calicut School League, and will play DWPS in their next fixture this coming Sunday.
Exercise 3:
[CBSE March 2023, Set 3]
Your school has organized a seminar on cyber-bullying and online safety. It was attended by counsellors and students from ten different schools. As a student reporter, write a report in about 120-150 words to be published in the school weekly. You are Rajashri / Rishi. You may use the following cues along with your ideas to compose the report.
day, date, time, venue, Speakers Dr. Rao, Dr. Sen, Dr. Sidh, discussion on perils of cyber bullying, measures to control it, legal aid |
Say No to Cyber-bullying
- Rajashri
Student Reporter
APS Weekly Bulletin
Pune, March 2, 2023
A seminar on cyber-bullying and online safety was organized by Akshar Public School, Pune in their auditorium last Tuesday during their morning periods. Renowned cyber-crime experts Dr. Rao and Dr. Sen, and a well-known mental health specialist Dr. Sidh conducted the sessions.
The discussion covered various aspects of the topic. Dr. Rao first explained which activities can be termed as cyber-bullying. This was followed by Dr. Sen elaborating on the dangerous consequences for the victim as well as for the culprit. He also outlined various laws regarding the same, and how and where to seek legal help. Towards the end of their lecture, they guided the students about measures to control and minimize this online nuisance.
Dr. Sidh focused on harmful effects of cyber-bullying on the mental health of people, especially students. He insisted on being more careful and vigilant while using online facilities.
“Harassing or abusing someone online may really be a simple, casual and short-lived fun for someone, but to a soft-hearted person on the receiving end, it has terrible effects,” he said.
Counsellors and as many as 200 students from ten different schools of Pune attended the seminar.
“This kind of seminars are really needed for the students of today’s generation,” said Mira Solanki, a counsellor from Pune International School. “Not only to make them aware and sensitive to stop this social evil, but also to know what to do if they become a victim somehow.”
The students who registered and attended the seminar will now go through a free course on cyber-bullying and online safety next month.
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