As a news writer, part of my responsibilities involves creating news from news. I attentively read the original news and develop my version without distorting the facts or circumstances. News rewriting is when you read news and write a new one out of it.
Or let me put it this way: rewriting news as a freelance
writer involves presenting information from a news article in a new, original
way while maintaining the key facts and ensuring accuracy.
Let me point out from the onset that before you even become
a news rewriter, you must already possess the qualities
of an excellent writer to begin with. That is, learn to be a good writer
first.
Here are some steps you can follow:
1.
Understand the Original Article
·
Read the original news article thoroughly to
grasp the main points, facts, and critical details. You cannot accurately explain
what you don’t understand in the first place. Rewriting is merely about
comprehending a passage and explaining it.
· Identify the main message and the most crucial information. Whatever you rewrite must evolve around the central message.
2.
Paraphrase and Rewrite
·
Use your own words to convey the information.
Avoid copying sentences directly from the original article. There is a thin
line between news rewriting and plagiarism. My work is to ensure I don’t break down
this thin line. It must remain standing. Where possible, I strengthen the line.
·
Focus on restructuring sentences, changing
sentence structure, and using synonyms to create a fresh version. That’s why
you have to be a
good writer in the first place.
3.
Maintain Accuracy
·
Ensure that the rewritten content accurately
reflects the key facts and details of the original news story. This comes after
you have understood the original article.
· Cross-check important details, quotes, and statistics to confirm accuracy. One mistake you can make is opening a quote and converting it into a reported speech while misrepresenting what the speaker meant.
Here is an example. “I will not resign as Prime Minister for a
mistake that’s not mine,” the PM said. “Let the Police boss himself take
responsibility for his actions or inactions.”
Correct: The Prime Minister has said he will not resign as PM for a
mistake that’s not his. Instead, he expects the Police boss --- whose actions
or inactions he believes led to the present state of affairs --- to be the one
on the chopping board.
Incorrect: The Prime Minister will not resign because the mistake
was made by the Police boss, and so the police boss must take responsibility
for the mistakes.
The last one is incorrect because
it’s not really reporting what the PM said but appears to be explaining the
writer’s personal view on the matter.
4.
Add Value
·
Consider adding additional information,
insights, or context to enhance the value of the rewritten article. Go beyond
the original article, but of course, without distorting facts. To achieve this,
check what other news blogs say about the same issue. Open 2-3 sites, read, and rewrite from a more informed position. Do not rewrite
blindly.
·
Provide a different perspective or angle not covered in the original piece.
5.
Adjust Tone and Style
·
Adapt the tone and writing style to suit your
own voice and the platform you’re writing for.
·
Keep in mind the target audience and the purpose
of the rewrite (e.g., informative, engaging, or analytical).
6.
Shorten or Expand as Necessary
·
Depending on the requirements of the publication
or platform, you may need to adjust the length of the article.
·
Be mindful of word count limits and guidelines.
If the blog you write for requires a 350-word count per article and the original
story you’re rewriting is 1000 words, reduce it without compromising its
primary message.
7.
Cite Sources
·
If required, provide proper attribution to the
original source. Some platforms may have specific rules about citation. I
always like citing my primary source. Online fake news writers don't want to cite credible sources.
8.
Check Plagiarism
·
Use plagiarism detection tools to ensure your rewritten content is sufficiently unique.
·
Even though you’re rewriting, avoiding unintentional plagiarism is essential.
As I said, there is a thin line
between rewriting and plagiarism. You have to play smart. I use Grammarly software to check for plagiarism.
You can opt for Copyscape.
9.
Review and Edit
·
Proofread and edit your work to eliminate
grammatical errors, improve clarity, and enhance overall quality.
10. Submit for Approval
·
If you’re submitting the rewritten news article
to a client or publication, follow their submission guidelines and provide any
necessary documentation.
Parting Shot
