News is the information we get about things that are happening around us. It can come from many different sources, including radio, television, the Internet and newspapers.
It’s important to choose the right news story, so that your readers will be able to understand and relate to it. It’s also important to write the article in a way that grabs your reader’s attention immediately and makes them want to read on.
Getting the Right News
Most news stories are dramatic, and they tend to be about people or events that have clearly identifiable good and bad characters. They may be about crime, such as a robbery at a convenience store, or they might be about money, such as a fortune made by a banker or a school fee rise.
Choosing the Best Stories
There are many types of news and it can be difficult to decide which ones are the most interesting or relevant to the reader. This is because some news stories have a lot of drama, and others don’t.
The main factors that gatekeepers consider when deciding what is news are familiarity, geography and time. They are important because they help determine what stories will be reported.
A story is news if it has an impact, it is unusual, it incorporates violence or scandal, and it is timely (meaning it happens now). It can be news in any form, whether it’s a newspaper report, television newscast, radio announcement, social media post or website article.
Facts and figures are essential for a news article to be effective. The facts and figures need to be accurate and complete, so the reader can understand what’s happening. It’s also important to include the background, such as where and when the event occurred.
Using Initials and Quotes
One of the most common errors that journalists make is not using initials or using quotes when referring to someone. This can jar the reader, and it can make the article feel less personal.
Using quotes from experts is another way to add depth and interest to your news piece. It can also be useful when you need to refer to a particular person or group of people, such as a politician, scientist or religious leader.
Writing a News Lead
The first few lines of your news article should contain the most important, current information about a topic. Providing this information in chronological order can help your reader quickly gain an understanding of what’s happened and will keep them interested throughout the rest of the article.
Follow up the main facts with additional information, such as contact details for the people involved in the story, additional information about the subject, or quotes from interviews. This will round out your news article and help it to flow smoothly.
It is important to remember that there are a variety of different models of news making and that each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses. It is important to choose a model that is most relevant to your situation.