News is current information about events and things that have happened. It can also be about things that will happen, such as weather forecasts. News articles are usually written to educate and inform readers on events in their local community, national or international affairs/events. They are a form of journalism and should be fact-checked and written according to the rules of good writing and reporting.
A news article should start with an interesting headline. This is often written to grab the attention of readers and may be based on a dramatic anecdote, or a breaking news event. It should include the basic facts of the story in a short paragraph, known as a lede (or lead). It is important to source these details and keep them accurate.
Most news stories are about people, because this is what is interesting and significant to society. However, news about non-human events can be equally interesting and significant. This can be anything from a flood, fire or cyclone to an earthquake or volcanic eruption. These events will affect a large number of people and should be reported in the same way as an accident or crime, but with greater detail and accuracy.
When writing a news article, it is important to avoid personal opinions and bias. This is because the opinions and prejudices of the writer can influence what is deemed as important or not, and how it is presented to the reader. This can distort the truth and mislead readers.
If you are not sure if something is newsworthy, ask yourself whether it is unusual, interesting and significant, or whether it would affect the lives of people in your community. Also consider how you might know the information is true. For example, if you heard it from someone who has direct knowledge of the issue, or if it was posted on social media.
The best way to ensure that your article is balanced is to include a range of opinions and viewpoints. These could be from experts who can offer technical commentary and analysis, or from ordinary people who have a personal connection to the topic. This will help readers gain a better understanding of the issues.
When a news article is complete, it should be proofread for accuracy and read through to check that it meets editorial standards before it is published. Editorial staff will not fix excessive grammatical errors or fact-check every word, but they will check that it adheres to the style guidelines of the publication.
National publications will report on events that have a wider impact, such as national disasters, politics and sport. They will often have a more general approach to news, as they are aimed at a wider audience and need to appeal to the majority of people. This can result in a less focus on individual communities and their specific concerns. However, it can also mean that they can sometimes overlook local or regional stories that might be of interest to a larger audience.
