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SPORTSWRITING
 Sports writing or sports journalism is a
special form of journalism that deals
with sports topics and events.
 While there are different approaches in
writing a sports story, the typical sports
piece, a short game story resembles the
structure of a news article, starting
with a lead followed by the body of the
article.
 Even though it follows the conventions of
news writing, sports writing or sports
reporting is considered as a specialized
field because it requires a certain level
of knowledge of sports to become a
good sportswriter.
STORY LEAD TECHNIQUES
 The sports lead has the same purpose as the
news lead, that is, to draw the reader in. The
classic 5 W’s and 1 H usually appear in the
sports lead as follows:
 1. Who won?
 2. How did they win?
 3. Against whom?
 4. By what score?
 5. Where? And;
 6. When?
SUMMARY LEAD
 In a classic summary lead emphasis is
given on the ‘who’ (who won the game
versus whom?) and the ‘how’ (how was
the game won?) of the game. It also
contains the final score which should
not be repeated anywhere else in the
story.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION LEAD
 The background information lead is a type
of lead that utilizes insider
information regarding the teams or
the players to draw the reader’s
attention. Because many readers usually
already know the final outcome of the
games in advance by watching them, this
type of lead is now used by many
sportswriters.
Other information to highlight
in the lead:
 · The key play – the main reason for the team’s
win
 · The outstanding player – the most valuable
player for that particular game
 · The analytical approach – the tactics
employed by the winning team that led them to
victory or the pitfalls of the losing team
 · The reaction – quotes from the coach or the
outstanding player
 · The record – the unexpected outcome of a
game, such as the victory of a team after years of
consecutive losses, or the consecutive
championship of a team or person.
Who won? Against Whom? By what
score? Where? When?
The Torres High School
Quintet poured 10 baskets
in the last three minutes to
edge out the Osmenians
65-63 at the opponents’
homeground yesterday
afternoon.
ELEMENTS OF THE BODY
 · Team and/or individual standing – if a
particular event is part of a series of games, team
or individual standings should be included in the
story
 · Decisive plays – the play that gives a team or
individual the winning margin
 · Best scores for the day – the top scorer for
the event, especially in a team game
 · Play-by-play – a condensed description of the
pivotal moments in the game
 · Quotations – afterthoughts from the
outstanding player, coach, etc.
STRUCTURE OF THE SPORTS
STORY
 ADVANCE STORY
-Its purpose is to build up enthusiasm for incoming
events
◦ Straight news story
◦ Background story
◦ Prediction Story
 COVERAGE STORY
-On-the-spot coverage of an actual game or event
 ADVANCE-COVERAGE STORY
- includes the information of a coming event as the
first part of the story and the information of the
past event as the last part of the story
QUALITIES OF A GOOD SPORTS
WRITER
 Must know the sports: rules, strategy,
team and players’ records
 Must know coaches and players
 Must observe accuracy
 Must be able to take notes quickly
 Must be fair and unbiased in reporting,
even though he has a favorite team
 Must not make comments without
supporting them with facts
 Must use specialized language of the
particular sports
 Should tell the story in plain, factual
terms, that describe the action
 Must bear in mind that he writes for the
audience/reader
GENERAL GUIDELINES WHEN
WRITING A SPORTS STORY
 · Be objective.
 · Know your players.
 · Know your sport.
 · Be accurate.
 · Know the specialized style of
writing of your sport.
 · Write for the readers, not for
yourself.
Suggested Pointers
 The Score or Outcome – Who won? What
is the result of the game?
 The Significance of the Outcome – Was a
championship at stake? Do the standings of
the teams change? Who gets the cup? Is the
grudge wiped out?
Individual Stars – Refers to the heroes of the
game
Weather conditions – mud, sunshine, heat
cold, or wind ,ay have bearing on the game
Crowd celebration – how did the spectators
behave?
 Highlights of the game – Find the turning
point of the game. Describe spectacular
plays. Tell about the last minute fumble, or
last three second basket from midcourt if
it were a basketball game.
SPORTS TERMS
 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, nosed out, eked out
 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, crushing, 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
EXERCISE:
REFERENCES
 http://cjw-portal.blogspot.com/2013/07/learn-basics-sports-writing.html
 https://www.scribd.com/document/104683222/Sports-Writing-
Activity
(NSPC Winning Piece in Sports Writing)

ILAGAN, Isabela - Isabela National High School, behind the remarkable performances of Florante Carreon
and paul Gonzales, took all the Roxas National High School could offer before hacking out a close 60-59 win in an
exhibition game held at St. Ferdinand College Court here, Tuesday.

Carreon scored 21 points to lead Isabela and Gonzales 13 points but delivered this on the crucial part of the
game including the winning free throw.

The game started in a roller-coaster encounter and the first half ended 28-27 with Isabela on the lead.

The second half was still close and Roxa took the lead with two minutes to go, but Gonzales displayed a big
heart as he connected a three-pointer to give Isabela the lead, 54-53.

Rolly Menor carried Roxas on that decisive moment and tied the game at 59-all with 15 seconds to go.

Gonzales fished a foul with 10 seconds left and split his charity for the lead, 60-59.

Herman Menor refused to give up but his last desperate jumpshot went in-and-out of the ring.

"Faith carried us through this game, it's a good game," said Gonzales after the game.

INHS (60) - Carreon 21, Gonzales, 13, Masugib, 12, Mercado 6, Aguinaldo 4, Martinez 2, Cabanlog 2, Ong 0,
Lim 0, Gimaru 0.

RNHS (59) - Menor 22, Balagan 18, Malaca 12, Soriano 7, Allavigan 0, gonzaga 0, Advincula 0, Limbauan 0,
Galapon 0.