What are the 5Ws?

The 5Ws and 'how?' are useful in a number of genres. When developing the opening for a story, the author usually gives information that answers the 5Ws. The same can be said for newspaper reports.

Who?
Description of character (personality and appearance)

When?
Description of exact times, dates or years (possibly even generic timings such as 'one morning.')

What?
Details of what the piece is based upon- introducing a dramatic event or reporting on an event that has already happened.

Where?
Description of the setting, usually includes the 5 senses- the more descriptive, the more it draws in the reader (creates images in the mind).

Why?
Why the events happened. These are often evidence or fact based genres such as persuasive writing or report writing.

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