TUTORIAL: SPORTS WRITING (RECOMMENDED TECHNICAL GUIDES)

Summary

In this sports writing workshop, the instructor, Cernan, outlines key techniques for both beginner and advanced sports writers. He emphasizes the importance of a genuine love for sports to craft compelling stories. The script covers essential writing rules, from headline structure (subject-verb-object) to crafting a strong lead and detailing game events. Key tips include using active voice for English headlines, past tense for Filipino, and structuring leads with the winning team's details, followed by statistics and quotes. Examples in both languages illustrate these concepts, helping writers understand how to capture the excitement and technicalities of sports writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Love and passion for sports are crucial for understanding and writing about it, even if you're not an athlete.
• 😀 Headline writing follows the SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) format, with the verb always placed after the subject in both English and Filipino.
• 😀 In English sports writing, verbs should be in the active voice and present tense, while Filipino uses past tense for verbs in headlines.
• 😀 The lead is the most important part of a sports article, summarizing key information in one paragraph: winner, how they won, the opponent, score, event name, venue, and date.
• 😀 The order of details in the lead should be followed strictly: winner, how they won, the opponent, score, event, venue, and date.
• 😀 In Filipino sports writing, the lead should start with the verb (bandiwa), using appropriate esports lingo to match the game context.
• 😀 For team sports, the second paragraph should focus on player contributions, including individual statistics like points, blocks, and assists.
• 😀 For individual sports (e.g., badminton, tennis), the second paragraph should focus on the athlete’s performance, including key statistics.
• 😀 Additional paragraphs (4-10) should cover highlights of the game, such as key sets, quarters, or rounds, focusing on runs, strategies, and key moments.
• 😀 The 11th paragraph should feature the best player of the losing team, along with their statistics, such as points and contributions to the game.
• 😀 The final paragraph can include quotes from the losing player or coach, offering additional insights or reactions following the game.

Q & A

What is the first and most important advice for sports writers according to the transcript?

The first and most important advice for sports writers is to love and understand the sport. You don't need to be an athlete, but a genuine passion for the sport will help you write better and understand the game more deeply.

What does SVO stand for in headline writing, and why is it important?

SVO stands for Subject-Verb-Object. It is important because it ensures clarity and correct grammatical structure in the headline. The verb should always be placed in the middle, which helps in crafting clear and effective headlines.

How should the verb be used in sports writing headlines in English and Filipino?

In English, the verb should be in active voice and present tense, such as 'upsets' or 'beats'. In Filipino, the verb should be in past tense, like 'pinata' or 'pinayoko'. This difference is important to ensure the headline is grammatically correct in each language.

What are the key details that should be included in the lead of a sports article?

The lead should include the following details in order: 1) The winning team or player, 2) The reason for their victory, 3) The losing team or player, 4) The score, 5) The name of the tournament or event, 6) The venue, and 7) The date of the game.

How should the second paragraph be written in a sports article, especially for team sports?

In the second paragraph, statistics and contributions from key players should be highlighted, such as the top scorer and their performance. For team sports, focus on the contribution of players who had a significant impact on the game.

What is the purpose of the third paragraph in a sports article?

The third paragraph should include a quote or interview from the winning player or coach, providing additional insight and personal perspective on the game.

How should the middle paragraphs (4 to 10) of a sports article be structured?

These paragraphs should break down the key highlights of each set, quarter, or round of the game. Focus on important moments such as runs, strategies, and pivotal points in the match. Each paragraph should focus on different sections of the game.

How should the standout player from the losing team be treated in the article?

In the 11th paragraph, the best player from the losing team should be recognized. Their contributions and statistics should be highlighted to give them due credit despite the team's defeat.

What role do quotes play in the 12th paragraph, and when should they be included?

The 12th paragraph should include quotes from the best player or coach of the losing team, reflecting their perspective on the game. This adds depth and personal insight to the article.

What is the significance of the 'one sentence, one paragraph' rule in sports writing?

The 'one sentence, one paragraph' rule ensures clarity and makes the article easy to read. Each paragraph should present a single idea or point, which keeps the content organized and readable for the audience.