Breaking news template: write a news story in the inverted pyramid
Give Byline what happened, the key details and who confirmed it. You get a deadline-ready story with the most important fact first, short paragraphs and every claim attributed.
How it works
Open Breaking News in your workspace and fill in what you know. Rough notes are fine; required fields are marked.
| You give | Example |
|---|---|
| What happened? | Floods hit the river district, 3,000 families displaced |
| Key details (who, where, when) | River burst its banks Tuesday night, disaster agency responding |
| Official response / quote (optional) | Disaster agency director: rescue teams deployed |
| How do you know? (source of the information) (optional) | Police statement, eyewitnesses at the scene, my own reporting |
| Target length (words) (optional) | 150, 250, 400, 600 |
| Output format (optional) | Online article, Print newspaper, Wire service, Broadcast script |
Press Write and the draft appears as it is written. Edit it, then save it, translate it, turn it into a script or social posts, or send it to your editor.
Tips for a strong breaking story
- Put the single most important fact in “What happened”: the lead is built from it.
- Always name who confirmed the information. Byline will not invent a source.
- Choose the output format: an online story, a print story, wire copy or a broadcast script read the same facts differently.
- Update the story as facts come in: paste the new details and generate again, or edit the draft by hand.
Accuracy first
Byline writes only from the facts you give it. It never invents quotes, sources or figures, and when something important is missing it marks the gap, like [CHECK: name of the spokesperson], for you to fill. You check every fact before publishing.
Questions
How long is a breaking news story?
Choose 150, 250, 400 or 600 words. 250 words suits most first versions online.
Will it add facts I did not give?
No. Byline writes only from your notes and marks missing details as [CHECK] for you to fill.
Is the Breaking News template free?
Yes, it is included in the free plan. You can even try it on the home page without an account.
Which AI models can I use?
You can choose Claude, GPT, Gemini, Llama or Mistral, depending on your plan.
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