When we read or listen to news on TV, radio or newspapers we are informed about what is going on in the world around us. This information may be about war, natural disasters, political unrest, economic trends and other such events. We are also updated about famous people, their lives and the way they think.
Some of the factors that influence news selection are: Magnitude: Stories which are perceived as significant either in number of people involved or in their potential impact. Timeliness: Events that happen very quickly are usually newsworthy. A riot is more likely to be reported than an earthquake which takes place slowly over time.
People: Stories about famous people, their lives and the way in which they behave are very often newsworthy. This is because they make a direct impact on the lives of ordinary people. This is particularly the case when the behaviour of a famous person goes against generally accepted standards. This is often the cause of scandals, which are very often newsworthy.
Other: Events which have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary members of the public are often considered to be newsworthy, such as cyclones, bush fires and droughts. Weather: The amount of rain or wind, extremes of temperature and the way in which it affects crops and livestock is of interest to many people. Food and drink: Stories about the prices of foods and drinks, shortages, gluts and diseases are of interest to many people. Entertainment: Music, dance, theatre and cinema news updates are of interest to many people. News about sex, celebrity and showbusiness is also often newsworthy.
The first paragraph of a news article should grab the reader’s attention. This is often done using a dramatic anecdote, a surprising fact or an important breaking news update. This part of the news article is called the nut graph and it answers the questions who, what, when, where and why.
A good nut graph will fully inform the reader and set the scene for the rest of the story. It will often include contact information, additional facts about the topic and any other relevant information.
The last paragraph of a news article should finish off by stating what action the readers can take as a result of the news story. This is a key aspect of the ‘call to action’ which has become an integral part of journalism. In addition to this, the last paragraph of a news article should include any quotes from sources involved in the story. This will give the news a more human touch and allow the readers to connect with the news on a personal level. This is a very effective way to encourage readers to respond to the news. It is also important to note that the call to action should be linked directly to the ‘news value’ of the story. This will help to make the article more engaging and increase its readership.
