Writing News
News is information about current events. It is transmitted through word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting and electronic communication. The information can be about people, places, things or ideas.
The content of news differs between societies. For example, the content of a news story about an insect attacking a farmer’s crops may not be significant to one society but may be a major issue in another. Similarly, the content of a news story about the Roman Catholic Church ordaining women priests may not be of concern to a peasant farmer but could be a major issue for an archbishop.
A good news article is new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. It should also be timely, controversial and have a wide impact. A national newspaper will generally focus on events that affect a large number of people and may be interested in edgy topics such as politics, war and business.
Writing a news story begins with identifying the audience. This will help guide the voice, tone and style of the piece. For example, a local newspaper might target a demographic of people who live in a particular city. This information should be included in the headline. Providing contact information and additional facts about the topic or people involved in the story can also be helpful to readers. A good way to end a news article is by including a quote from someone who has a direct connection to the event or information being reported.