News is a type of information that is usually delivered to the general public via different media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet. It includes both factual and opinionated material.
Usefulness:
A person is always interested in knowing what is happening around them and the world as a whole. Weather forecasts, train timings and news about other important events are always of public interest. People enquire about government policies through news items and find out what are the implications of these policies on their lives.
Educational Values:
Another reason people are interested in reading and hearing about news is that it gives them a better understanding of what is going on in the world. Newspapers have columns about various educational and job opportunities which help people in becoming aware of their future.
The main purpose of writing a news article is to inform the reader of what is happening in the world and keep them informed about current events. This can be done by identifying the facts about the story and then explaining them to the reader.
Write the Headline:
The headline of a news article should be catchy and to the point. This is a way to draw attention and attract the reader’s interest so they will want to read the rest of your story. It should also be in Associated Press style and punctuated.
Write the Lead:
The first paragraph of a news article is called the lead and is usually very short. It provides a summary of the entire story and gives the reader a sense of what to expect.
Start off with the most important information and work your way down to less important points. The most important facts should be the first things that the reader reads and should be included in a pyramid format (see below).
Include More Facts:
After the initial main facts have been laid out, you may wish to provide more information about the topic or person involved. This could include contact information or quotes from interviews with those involved in the news story.
Depending on the type of news article that you are writing, it may be appropriate to mention your own opinion as well. This is a great way to add a bit of your own personal insight into the story and make it feel more authentic.
Follow the Five Ws:
The first thing you should do when writing a new news article is to ask yourself questions about who your audience is, where they live and what kind of information they need. Once you have this information, you will be able to format an outline that will help you get the best information out to your audience as quickly as possible.
