News is the information that people want to know about what is happening in their country, world, or society. It can include news about people, events, inventions and innovations, and things like business developments, political issues, sports, and cultural events.
The main function of news is to provide the public with accurate, straightforward information about the latest developments in their lives and society. Journalists often obtain information by researching government documents, interviewing sources, and observing events firsthand.
How to Write a News Story
A news article or story should be written in a professional manner and should have a strong introduction. Using the classic “Five Ws” (Who, What, When, Where, and Why) the journalist should cover all the key points of the story in the first sentence.
Headline
A good headline will grab the reader’s attention and draw them in to read further. It should contain at least 25 compelling words that will appeal to a reader’s emotions and interest. This is called a lede in journalism jargon and it is the most important part of the article.
Conclusion
A news story should also have a strong and interesting conclusion. It should be able to sum up the main points of the story and give an indication of how it will affect people’s lives in the future. This will help readers to relate the news story to their own lives and make them more interested in the topic.
News values
There are five basic criteria by which a news story should be judged: it should be new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. A story which has all of these is likely to be very strong and may have a big impact on the public’s opinion.
Weather: Weather changes can be a big news story, particularly when it is unusually hot or cold, or very wet or dry. The weather can be especially interesting when it affects the daily routine of people and causes inconvenience or distress, such as when a flood or storm threatens their property or crops.
Crime: Any crime is a news story, but more serious crimes or those which are unusually violent have a stronger influence on the public’s opinion than smaller offences. A news story about a murder or an assault should be told in detail, as should one about a fraud or a forgery.
Food and drink: Stories about food and drink make the news, especially if they involve shortages, gluts, crop diseases, price rises or other economic problems. A story about an interesting restaurant or a good deal on wine is also a good story.
Entertainment: Music, dance, theatre, cinema and carving all have their own special kinds of news value. This is because they keep people informed about what is happening in the arts and whether it is worth going to see or hear.
How to Check Facts
It is essential that all facts in your news article are correct. If they are incorrect, it will be obvious to your readers and they will not trust your article. This is why it is always a good idea to have a second person check your facts before you publish them.