 Even experienced beat reporters get lost
covering games and writing about them
because it takes more than just answering the
FiveW’s.
 Sports writer expected to possess certain
qualities not so common among beat
reporters.

 Have interest in all sports event
 Know the rules and regulations of the event
or game he is writing about,
 Have a working knowledge of the language
and jargon of sports writing usually referred
to as sports lingo.

 Three types of sports stories can be written.
These are the advance story, the coverage
story, and the advance coverage story.
 Advance Story- dope or prognostication,
builds up enthusiasm.
 Coverage Story- on the spot coverage of the
game
 Advance-coverage- coming event as the first
part of the story

 Must know sports: rules, strategy, team and
player’s record
 Must attend the games or meets as a
reporter, not a cheerer
 Must know coaches and players
 Must observe accuracy
 Must be able to take notes quickly

 Must be fair and unbiased in reporting
 Must not make comments without
supporting them with facts
 Must use the specialized language
 Must avoid sports slang and trite expressions
 Must bear in mind that he writes for his
readers and not for himself.

 The Lead- a sports story has a lead and a
body.The sports lead is the attention-getter.
 The “FiveWs” appear in the sports lead as 1.
Who won? 2. Against whom? 3. By what
scores? 4.Where? 5.When?
 The key play, Outstanding Player, Analytical
Approach

 Personalities
 play-by-play description
 Statistics
 quotes by players
 quotes by trainers and coaches
 background stuff on players
 the importance or significance of the event
and the background of the game.

 The score or outcome
 The significance of the outcome
 Highlights of the game
 Comparison of the teams
 Individual stars
 WeatherConditions
 Crowd and celebration

THE END