News is information about current events. It may be delivered verbally, written or recorded by a variety of media sources such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet. The information is presented in a timely manner to inform the public of important events and developments. The word “news” is often used to distinguish it from opinion pieces, which are written to express a particular point of view.
A newspaper article begins with a lead or opening paragraph that grabs reader attention by using a dramatic anecdote, unexpected fact or significant breaking development. It is followed by a “nut graph” or summary that answers the five W’s: who, what, when, where and why. This is a key part of the news story because it places the development in context and helps readers understand why it is important.
It is essential to research your topic thoroughly before beginning to write a news story. This is especially true for international or national stories that can affect the entire world. For example, a coup in a neighboring country will be more significant than a riot in your own neighborhood. The more you know about the subject, the better writer you will be.
If you are writing a news article, try to avoid injecting your own personal opinions into it. This is not always possible, but if you can, let the subjects of your story do the talking. It is also a good idea to cite your facts rather than make up your own figures. For example, use a government report instead of a statistic that has been gathered from an unreliable source.
In addition to a solid nut graph, the best news stories include quotes from key players or witnesses. It’s also helpful to include a photo or graphic that will help your reader visualize the event or development. In addition, it is important to use a person’s full name on the first reference and both initials in captions. This will help to avoid jarring the reader by changing from first to second or third person throughout the article.
The Internet is great for sharing news, but be careful to only share information that you have researched and vetted. Be aware that the speed at which news travels online means that bad information can quickly spread to a large audience. If you are unsure whether a piece of news is worth sharing, do a quick search on the source to see what others are saying about it. This will give you a better idea of how valid the information is. It may also be worthwhile to seek out sources that have a different point of view, which can sometimes provide new insight into an issue you are passionate about. For example, check out the VOX website, Refinery29, the Skimm or Flare’s Explainer series. They all provide excellent examples of non-reactionary, thoughtful news that can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the world around you.