Sports writing has become a popular section of newspapers as more women and students are interested in sports. While sports writing follows some conventions of straight news writing, sports writers have more freedom in their style and can include their opinions to a certain extent. To be a good sports writer requires having an interest in sports, knowing the rules and terminology, taking detailed notes at events, and learning from other experienced sports journalists.
Sports writing has become a popular section of newspapers as more women and students are interested in sports. While sports writing follows some conventions of straight news writing, sports writers have more freedom in their style and can include their opinions to a certain extent. To be a good sports writer requires having an interest in sports, knowing the rules and terminology, taking detailed notes at events, and learning from other experienced sports journalists.
Sports writing has become a popular section of newspapers as more women and students are interested in sports. While sports writing follows some conventions of straight news writing, sports writers have more freedom in their style and can include their opinions to a certain extent. To be a good sports writer requires having an interest in sports, knowing the rules and terminology, taking detailed notes at events, and learning from other experienced sports journalists.
a days. And the readers are not dominated by men. More and more women, young and old alike are addicted to sports, hence they too, are avid readers of sports stories. Aside from the newspapers, TV or radio coverage of different games have the greatest appeal to a large number of students readers. Intramurals, unit meet and other forms of games are part of thrill of high school life. So that, school papers devote space to sports, hence the need for more sports writers. Sports writing is a form of news writing – an action story. However, a sport writer does something more than a news writer. He has the privilege to use colorful words with quick tempo. Lively and informal style that is usually centered around a conflict. Here are some differences between Straight News and Sport Writing
In news writing, the journalist uses short words, short
sentences, short paragraphs. The sports writer has more freedom in his writing style than the news reporter. His writing has more pep, more enthusiasm. A news reporter is not permitted to write his opinion about persons or events. The sports writer can do this to a certain extent. He can even use slang which is discourages in the news page. The sports writer uses figures of speech like: Simile – Ben Johnson, the world’s fastest man, ran like a demon-possessed. Metaphor – Jaworski, the living legend was a tiger at both ends of the court. Synechdoche – The San Miguel were all over the court weaving in and out piercing the hoop at will. Climax- “It’s God’s play” ( this was James Yap’s remark after Purefoods won over San Miguel in that game that determined Redbull Barako opponent in the all Filipino finals) . CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SPORTS WRITER
Must have nose for news and has interest in
all sports events. Must know the rules and regulation. Must have a working knowledge of the language and jargons of sports writing usually referred to as sports lingo. Should avoid clichés ( tired old phrases) GUIDELINES FOR SPORTS WRITING
Take down notes, don’t trust your memory.
Report the reaction of the spectators at some point of the game. But this is secondary Don’t devote the entire sports section to just one game or just one sport. Read a lot. Learn how other sports writers practice their craft. WRITING THE SPORTS STORY A. LEAD – the first part, the attention getter, the news in a nutshell.
1. The classic “ Five W’s : A ( Who won? B. ) Against
whom? C.) By what score? D.) When?
e.g. The San Mateo Blazzers ( 1 ) poured 10 baskets in
the last 10 minutes to edge out the Rodriguez Unit I (2) 65-63 (3) at the opponent homeground (4) yesterday afternoon. 2. The Key Play
The National HS Sluggers bombed the
Roosevelt batters with six runs in third inning to subdue a nerve fuzzling Roosevelt’s rally 14-12 as they clinched the invitation game here in connection with the celebration of Roosevelt Foundation Day 3. The Outstanding Player
Rikki Mae Barros of Justice Vicente
Santiago Elementary School, after almost four hours of battle over the chessboard copped the most coveted YMCA Trophy after outwitting San Mateo Elem. School chesser William Santos in 27 moves of Sicilian defense. 4. The Analytical Approach ( The outcome of the game is the result of a particular key play in action)
Ridding high on sizzling spikes and
trickly placing, the Banaba netters blasted the Dona Pepeng Hi- Killres in the crucial third set to win 15-10, 11-15, 15-7 in a mini District Meet August 10 at the San Mateo Elementary School Quadrangle to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day. 2. BODY
After the lead the other elements in descending order
follow. This will include :
Team/ or individual standing
Decisive plays-the most crucial part of the game that give a certain team the winning margin. Best score for the day – the score usually appear in the headline and the lead. The writer must not neglected the top scorer of the day. Play – by- play account- set – by- set, quarter-by quarter, innings-by-innings, round- by –round. Etc, describe the progress of the games or events in detail. Quotation, sentiment of the hero or coach recorded for prosperity. TYPES OF SPORTS STORIES Advance Story – sometimes called dope or prognostication- builds up enthusiasm for coming events. It may be straight news story, background story or prediction story. Coverage Story – an on the spot coverage of an actual game or event. Advance Coverage – includes information of a coming events in the first part of the story, and the formation of the past event as the last part of the story. SPORTS TERMS To sound more authoritative and convincing to the reader, the sports writer must have a full stocks of sports language. However, appropriate terms must be used for each game and situation. The following words/ phrases are commonly used in sports” To win by a big margin – battered , clovered, crush, humbled, overwhelmed, overpowered, rooted, swamped, ripped, walloped, pulverized To win by one or three points – shaded, edged, nipped, nosedott, ekedout To defeat a champion – dethroned, toppled, turned the table, overthrow, overturned, rested the crown, bag the title, capture the title To remain the champion- kept the crown, retained the title To give opponent zero score- blanked, white wash To have the same score – draw , deadlock, deuce, tie To describe a set back – hearth breaking, stinging, cushing, devastating, costly error Hard fought victory/ game – unexpected, resounding, rallied, come from behind, marathon move, ding-dong or see saw, battle To describe the best players – aces, best stand outs, stalwarts, main stays, hopefuls, sentinel To describe players’ strong points - fleet footed, cat quick, south paw slugger, counter puncher, road runner, hard driving, body puncher and speedy mighty mite Terms for different games: SEPAK TAKRAW- head-bat , tekong, apit kiri, apit kanan, bicycle kick, banana kick TENNIS - best of three matches, surfeit services, straight set, singles, smush cut volley, ace, fault, error TRACK AND FIELD / ATHLETES – discuss, shot put, high jump, standards, flop, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, sector, hammer throw, javeline throw, heaved a shot put, hop step and jump, Grecian disk GOLF – eagle, bogey, birdie, 18-holes BOXING – knock-out, jab, hook, clinch, technical knock – out, upper cut, right cross, duckling, slipping, hitting bellow the belt, Boxing Divisions: fly weight, bantam weight, feather weight, light weight, welter weight BASKETBALL – field goal, foul, quintet, alley hoop, dunk, travelling, backing, goal tending, rainbow shot, lay 0 up BOWLING – ten pin, frame, bowler, kegler, spare, strike, duck pin VOLLEYBALL – toss, spike, net, libero, 3 touches, netters, blockers, spikers, tossers, netball CHESS – castling, en passant, capture, check, checkmate, stalemate,touch move,opening SOCCER/ FOOTBALL – goal, penalty, area, goal keeper, goalie, fullbacks, halfbacks, wingers, free kick, corner kick, offside, banana kick, heading, tackle. SWIMMING – tanker naiads, aqua bell, breast stoke, freestyle, butterfly, flippers FENCING – yhrust, lunge, epee, foil, saber,fleche, balestra, parry, beat feint SPA – fancy kick, dead ball, ball on play, single, double TAEKWANDO – axe kick, advance forty five kick , jins, pin weight COLOR YOUR WORDS:
String of solid play
Poured in six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter Rallied to trim the margin With a comfortable 40- point cushion,63-23 Bailed us out in this game Adopting-to – lose mentally Boosted their moral with a victory Pocketed 2nd place Buckled down to work in the second set Finished with eight markers Completed his heroics by nailing his free throw Strung up four points to push the jewels with in six, 81- 75 Nearly blew the huge advantage Shattered the hopes of the eagles Bounce back after disappointing lost
NOTE; the word must be used in accordance with the
degree of winning. 2011 School Press Conference SPORTS WRITNG CONTEST FACT SHEET
Direction: Make a play by play account sports story
base on facts and figures below. Give an appropriate headline with a kicker. Include interview with The MVP using direct quotation.
2011 MAYOR DIAZ BASKETBALL LEAGUE-
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH BET SAN MATEO BLAZZERS ROD UNIT I HELD YESTERDAY AT SAN MATEO GYM, SAN MATEO RIZAL. LINE UP POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS SAN MATEO BLAZZERS Alvaro, Marc Ian 20 15 5 Atienza , Marwin 16 12 3 Aviles, Darren 12 5 4 Bejec, Wendel 10 7 3 Beltran, Patrick Lance 9 3 6 Brillantes, Thomas 8 4 2 Bonifacio, John 7 2 3 Cresencio, Glen Frey 3 2 2 Cristobal, Mark 9 3 1 ROD UNIT I Flores, Edward 18 12 1 Ibarrola , Laurence 16 10 3 Javier, Dan 15 6 4 Malitao, Nomar 12 3 8 Matore, Romy Boy 8 4 4 Moneda, Van Yves 8 2 5 Paclita , Jimboy 2 1 1 Pamittan , Robbie 2 1 1 Highlights:
Alvaro, Marc Ian was the MVP of the tournament
“ Matindi ang ginawa naming praktis at todo suporta si mayor pagdating sa pera”-Alvaro Both team were undefeated in Barangay level Blazzers was the 2010 Mayor’s league With one minute during the last quarter they tied at 79 but Alvaro added a doubled 3 point shot