five W's

American  

plural noun

1. Journalism. who, what, when, where, and why: along with how, the essential questions about the subject of a news story that the lead is traditionally expected to answer.

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Example Sentences

After the basic five W’s had been covered in a roadside news conference, I asked about her family situation.

From New York Times

This is one of the core principles captured by the dictate of the five W's -- who, what, when, how and why -- taught in every high school-level journalism class.

From Salon

As a reporter, when I struggle to write a story, I go back to the “five W’s and an H” taught in journalism school: who, what, where, when, why and how.

From Washington Post

In journalism, there are five W’s — who, what, why, where and when.

From New York Times

The best way to do this is to address the five w's: who, what, where, when and why.

From US News