News is information about events that have just happened, or are about to happen. This kind of information is usually presented in the form of articles or news stories in newspapers and magazines. News has the potential to influence people’s beliefs, ideas and values. It is important that it is accurate and impartial. News also has to be timely, or it loses its value.
The way that we judge what is newsworthy varies between different societies. For example, a man wakes up, eats breakfast and goes to work on the bus; this does not make news because it is normal and everyday. However, if the same man dies on the bus in a tragic accident, then this is newsworthy. Other examples of newsworthy incidents are wars, disasters and celebrity gossip.
Before you begin writing a news article it is essential to research your topic thoroughly. This will give you the background you need to write a well informed and accurate story. It is also important to think about who your audience will be and what sort of impression you want them to have of your piece. This will help you to decide how much detail to include and what type of tone to adopt.
Generally, the more sensational and dramatic an event is, the more it will be considered newsworthy. This is because human beings have a natural fascination with conflict and the unusual. For example, a fire that causes no damage is not interesting, but a fire that burns a house down is. It is also important to consider how big an impact the event has had. If it affects a large number of people, or is significant in terms of its impact on the environment then it will be deemed more newsworthy.
A good news article will begin with a snappy headline that clearly informs readers of the subject and captures their attention. This should be followed by a well written and concise paragraph that details the most important aspects of the story. When writing a newspaper or magazine article the inverted pyramid structure is often used, with the most important points being placed above the fold – this refers to the part of a page that is visible without having to be unfolded. The same applies when writing online – the most important points should be placed at the top of the article to ensure that they are seen.
It is a good idea to include a few quotes from sources that have direct knowledge of the story. This will add credibility and increase the likelihood of your article being shared on social media. It is also important to use full names or initials when referring to people and avoid using nicknames. It is a good idea to write in the third person unless there is a compelling reason not to.
It is also a good idea to have a good concluding sentence that either restates the leading statement (thesis) or makes a prediction about future developments relating to the subject of the news article. Finally, always check your facts before publication – a wrong fact can quickly discredit an otherwise interesting and well-written news article.