How to Write a Hard-News Obituary OVERVIEW: WHAT A NEWS OBITUARY IS—AND ISN’T A news obituary is a factual, concise, and objective account of a person’s life, written in the style of a news story. It differs significantly from the sentimental or commemorative obituaries often written by families. A news obituary: • Prioritizes newsworthiness over emotion • Focuses on public significance and verifiable facts • Uses a journalistic tone (objective, restrained) • Is structured using the inverted pyramid format A family or “tribute” obituary: • Emphasizes personal memories and sentiment • May include subjective language and praise • Often lacks prioritization of broader public impact In short: a news obituary answers the question, “Why did this person matter beyond their immediate circle?”
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