News is the term used to describe events that have occurred, are happening or will happen in the near future. News can be reported by the media, such as newspapers and radio or television, as well as by individuals and groups. The information contained within a news story is usually factual and may be presented objectively or impartially. News stories are often written to inform or educate people on current events and affairs and may also feature human interest stories. The news may be local, national or international in scope.
News articles should be short and to the point. They should be clearly written and should not contain grammatical errors or excessively lengthy paragraphs. A good way to approach a new article is to start by researching the subject thoroughly. Ensure that you are fully aware of the facts surrounding your topic, including who, what, where, when and why.
Once you have a solid understanding of the background and context, it’s time to start writing. Begin with a lead or “nut graph” that gives an overview of the main points of your story. Then, build upon this with relevant, informative details that add depth and colour. Incorporate quotes from experts or key individuals involved in the event to add authority and credibility to your article. However, be sure to cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
In order for a news story to be interesting, it must have an element of novelty. Consequently, it is often a good idea to write about something that has not been widely talked about before. This will allow your readers to be more informed on a particular topic and will help to set you apart from the competition.
Generally, most news articles revolve around people. This is because most of the things that change the world involve people. For example, a natural disaster or man-made event will be newsworthy, especially if it affects large numbers of people. However, it is not uncommon for the news to cover less dramatic events that also have a high impact or involve people. Celebrities and politicians are a constant source of newsworthy material, whether they are rising in the ranks or falling out of favour, losing their fortunes or committing a crime. Sex is another area that makes for great news, as long as the behaviour does not fall outside of society’s generally accepted norms.
A newspaper will have a limited amount of space available for its news stories. In order to make the most of this, it is important that a writer selects a headline that concisely informs and grabs the reader’s attention. In addition, the news writer should decide which facts to highlight in a story and which to omit. The process of deciding which to highlight is partly based on market research but also involves journalists making judgments about what the public want and need to know. Ultimately, the journalist will be the final arbiter of what constitutes newsworthy information.