REWRITING OF NEWS STORIES
SUBMITTED BY: MRS. JYOTI SEHGAL
ASTT. PROF. MCVP,
HANS RAJ MAHILA MAHAVIDALAYA JALANDHAR
Rewriting literally means to write again to check the formats, placements, facts and figures.
Editing involves correction of news stories by checking its grammatical errors, spellings, punctuations, etc. But sometimes the errors are so serious that they require the story to be rewritten
Rewriting is done because the original copy of news stories has some serious flaws in formats, organization or accuracy.
Sometimes a copy once edited is still filled with mistakes and errors so much so that it needs to be written again. This process of writing a news story again is called rewriting.
Rewriting is nothing but re-telling the same story once which has been already told.
PURPOSE OF REWRITING
Your first step should be to identify the main news point. The news point may be near the top of the story or it may be buried deep within. You need to retrieve it, and build a strong lead around the main news point.
NEED OF REWRITING
Badly written copy : Reporters sometimes overlook the most outstanding feature or most important information and bury it deep in the story. Therefore, the news copy is rewritten to improve the lead, eliminate confusion and make the story clear and understandable.
POORLY ORGANIZED STORY
In some stories the lead may be handled properly giving the main information in it. But it might not support the lead until 5th or 6th paragraph. Sometimes the reporter jumps quickly into the chronological accounts of the events and forgets to summarize all information before relating the details.
LONG STORY
Some news stories are too long because it has unnecessary details, irrelevant information and uninteresting questions.
UNPROFESSIONAL COPY
Many news stories especially that are written by freelancers, trainees and other inexperienced people must be rewritten to match up to the news style of the organization
TRY THE FOLLOWING FOR BETTER RESULTS
EXAMPLE
Original News report
Jalandhar, September 11: Two wheeler theft has been rising considerably in Jalandhar during the past two months. The Jalandhar police conducted vehicle checks in various parts in the town on Wednesday.
As per the order of the Superintendent of Police Ranjit Singh , a team of police conducted a surprise vehicle check in Jalandhar. The team checked the two wheelers and verified the RC book, Driving Licence etc. The surprise check up was conducted at Model Town, GTB Nagar and New Jawahar Nagar.
No stolen vehicle was found. Police warned the school students who drove at high speeds. No cases were booked in the surprise check, town police said.
1. Main news point�Checking of two wheelers
2. Reason for checking�Theft of two wheelers during the last two months
3. Where were the checks done?�GH junction, Pidamaneri Cross and Four Road Junction
4. What was done during the checks?�Two wheeler drivers were asked to show ownership documents.
5. Result of checks�No stolen vehicle was found. The two wheeler riders were cautioned to drive slowly.
REWRITTEN STORY�
Jalandhar, Sept 11: The Jalandhar police made surprise checks in the city on Wednesday to locate stolen two wheelers.
The checks were made at three points — Model town, GTB Nagar and New Jawahar Nagar— at the orders of Superintendent of Police Ranjit Singh.
During the checks, two-wheeler drivers were asked to produce their driving licence and registration books.
However, the police came across no incriminating material. The two wheeler drivers were let off with the caution to drive carefully.
THANK YOU