News is current information about people, places and things that are important to readers or viewers. It is usually reported by journalists who are able to gather and report facts based on solid research. The goal of most News is to inform, educate and entertain. This information can be found in a variety of formats including newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Many of these sources are also available online. News is also often filtered through the opinions and biases of writers and editors. This is why it is important for readers to choose a wide variety of sources and read them with a critical eye.
A good way to judge the strength of a news story is to look at the five criteria of newsworthiness: it must be new, unusual, interesting and significant. The old saying that something happens every day but is rarely newsworthy is true; it takes a lot to shock us and grab our attention. The death of Mao Tse-tung was big news because it was a major event that had a worldwide impact.
Another factor in determining whether an event is newsworthy is how far-reaching its impact will be. For example, a bug that is eating the crops of farmers in one country may not be significant enough to make the news, but if it is going to affect the food supply in other countries then it would be worth reporting.
Knowing your audience is also an important part of deciding what is News. Different audiences have different interests, and it is up to the writer to identify these and tailor their writing accordingly. For example, a reporter writing for a local newspaper will focus on community news, but they may not be as interested in the latest political scandal.
When writing a News article it is helpful to begin with the most important information at the top of the article. This is called “putting it above the fold” in newspapers, and it is also a good practice for online writers. By putting the most important information first, you will draw in the reader and encourage them to continue reading.
After listing all the main facts in a news article, it is important to add any additional information that will help the reader understand the situation better. This might include contact details, background information on the people involved or quotes from interviews. It is also a good idea to include the opposing viewpoint of the story, as this will show that you have investigated all sides of the argument.
Finally, it is always wise to have a second pair of eyes look at your work. It is very difficult to spot your own grammar mistakes and spelling errors, so have a friend or colleague proofread the piece before it goes public. This will also give them the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the content and help you make sure that all of your facts are correct.