Student Question
How can I write an introduction for a news report on an earthquake, pretending I'm a reporter?
Quick answer:
To write an introduction for a news report on an earthquake, start with a dramatic opening such as "This just in" to capture attention. Describe the scene vividly, focusing on people affected, visible damage, and immediate impacts. Provide essential information like the earthquake's location, initial damage estimates, and public safety advisories. Consider including personal stories or interviews for emotional impact, and ensure to mention any disruptions like impassable roads or imposed curfews.
For another approach, imagine yourself standing outside a shelter where persons whose homes have been destroyed are now being housed or near a first aid clinic where those who have been wounded are receiving treatment. Your report could include first estimates of the number of buildings destroyed or damaged, predictions about the amount of money that may be needed to repair the damages, and so on.
You could include public information and directions - tell your listeners which highways or streets are impassable due to damage from the earthquake, remind them of the curfew hours that the government has imposed to limit looting, give the locations of shelters and the centralized contact information to be used by people trying to locate someone who has been separated and lost from family or friends.
The key words are "This just in".
Have someone introduce you, since it is often it is the...
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anchorperson who directs the viewers towards the "breaking news", and that is where you will be able to sort of break the ice with the viewers. Imitate the guys from the weather channel; they are usually right at the epicenter of the action. Hence, use a background showing smoke, or "Earthquake 2012", or something that illustrates the problem. Look scared, hold on to your microphone prop, and just describe what you see--particularly the people, children, and homes that have been affected. Start by saying "This just in" and just work your magic through.
But it sounds like this is not really an article but rather a TV news story. In that case, you need to sound dramatic. You need to pick some individual, perhaps, and lead with "At 6 AM, Person X was in the middle of her morning routine..." Then you cut to an interview with her and she starts talking about how her walls started shaking or whatever. That will be a bit dramatic the way TV news likes to be.
It might be helpful for you to read some actual news article introductions. Generally, a news article will jump right in. They tend to start with the where and when part of the story. The introduction should say that there has been an earthquake and state the general area where said earthquake occurred. Leave the specifics for your body paragraphs. The simple fact that there was an earthquake should be sufficent to draw your reader in.