WRITING THE
SPORTS
STORY
What is Sports Writing?
• It is a form of journalism or creative nonfiction in
which a sporting event, individual athlete, or
sports- related issue serves as the dominant
subject.
• It is one of the most interesting aspects of
journalism. It appeals to all types of publics and the
athletic events always appear in every newspaper,
big or small.
Sports writing is
news writing
Some of the Sports that make News
• Basketball • Badminton • Fencing
• Table • Chess • Football
Tennis • Boxing • Swimming
• Volleyball • Bowling • Golf
• Archery • Track and • Skating
• Lawn Tennis Field • Weightlifting
• Baseball
Imagery is a sports writer’s way to go
Sports writers should be creative
thinkers of a high order to enthral
readers with their vivid blow-by-blow
account of the game. Imagery adds
color, atmosphere and probably
suspense and action to the story for
the read
I.
Types of Sports Stories
1. Advance
Story 2. Coverage Story 3. Advance Coverage
enthusiasm for
- builds up
coming
- is an on-the-spot Story
coverage of an - consists information
events.
actual game or of a coming event as
event the first part and the
information on the past
event as the last part
• Straight news
• Background
• Prediction
II.
Facts to consider in
Sports
1
.
The scoRe oR outcome
Who won?
Example:
2
.
Significance of the outcome
Was the championship at stake? Do the team standings
change?
Example:
3
.
Highlights of the game
Find the turning point of the
game.
Example:
4.
Comparison of the teams
In what department of the game did the winners
excel?
Where were the losers weak?
Example:
5.
Individual stars
Who were the stars and how did they
star?
Example:
6.
Weather conditions
Mud, sunshine, heat, cold or wind may
be important.
Example:
7
.
CRowd and celebration
Don’t forget the spectators.
Example:
III.
Writing the Story
Like any otheR news stoRy, a spoRts stoRy has:
The Lead The
Body
○ The sports lead is the attention ○ After the lead, other elements follow such
getter, the news in a nutshell. The as:
lead must immediately hit the dace
-Team and/or individual standing
and fancy of the readers with the
action and suspense – the details of -Decisive play
the sports event. -Best scores for the day
-Play by play
-Quotation
IV.
Sports Lingo
BASKETBALL VOLLEYBALL FIELD
✘ rebound ✘ spikes ✘ heaved the shotput
✘ lay-up ✘ change court ✘ hurled the javelin
✘ man to man ✘ net ball ✘ broad jump
✘ full court ✘ return play ✘ pole vault
✘ hook shot ✘ two out of three ✘ threw the discuss
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SOCCER OR FOOTBALL TENNIS
✘ diamond ✘ goalie ✘ best of three matches
✘ pitcher ✘ full back ✘ surfeit services
✘ hit a homerun ✘ corner kick ✘ straight set
✘ force out ✘ penalty kick ✘ singles
✘ backstop ✘ free kick ✘ smash cut
SIPA TRACK SWIMMING
✘ fancy kick ✘ photo finish ✘ tanker
✘ dead ball ✘ burned the cinders ✘ naiads
✘ ball on play ✘ anchor man ✘ aquabell
✘ single ✘ clock a new record
✘ double ✘ home stretch
V.
Qualities of a
Good SpoRts
WRiteR
Must know sports: rules, strategy, team and
players’ records.
Must attend the games or meets as a reporter,
not as a spectator or cheerer.
Must know coaches and players as intimately as
possible.
Must observe accuracy.
Must be able to take notes quickly without losing
the sequence of the play.
Must be fair and unbiased in reporting, even
though he has a favourite team.
Must not make comments without supporting them
with facts on which they are based.
Must use the specialized language of the
particular sports that he is reporting.
Must avoid sports slang and trite expressions which
hack writers use today.
Must bear in mind that he writes for his readers
and not for himself.
Thank
You!
