News is information about important or exciting events. It can be broadcast on television, printed in newspapers or posted online. People read and listen to news for a variety of reasons – they may be interested in the latest developments in their community, or they might want to learn about world events. Whatever the reason, it’s important to know your audience when writing news, as this will influence the type of information that you include in your articles and how you present it.
Most people agree that the purpose of news media – such as magazines, newspapers, radio and television – is to inform and educate their readers, listeners or viewers. News doesn’t necessarily have to entertain, although it often does if it involves human interest stories or a sense of humour. Entertainment is better left to other areas – music and drama programs on television or radio; and crossword puzzles and other activities in magazines and newspapers.
When composing a news article, the first step is to research your topic thoroughly. You will need to find out all the relevant details that pertain to your topic, such as who, what, when, where and why. Once you have a complete understanding of the facts, you should then put these in an outline form. This will help you stay focused and ensure that all the main points are covered. When possible, try to focus on the human interest aspect of a story as most people are interested in how something will affect them or someone they know.
Once you’ve compiled all the necessary information for your news article, it’s time to write. A good news article starts with a compelling lead paragraph that draws attention to the subject of the piece. It should include all the basic facts of the story, such as who, what, when, why and how. The lead paragraph should also include a byline which is the name of the writer. This is usually placed under the headline, although other members of a publication’s staff often write the headlines.
If you are unsure about the tone or style of your news article, then it’s helpful to consult with a member of the editorial team. A news editor can help you keep the article consistent with your publication’s style guidelines and ensure that it meets a high standard of quality.
The last step in writing a news article is to proofread it carefully. This will ensure that your article is accurate and contains no typos or grammatical errors. It’s also a good idea to double-check your sources for credibility.
A news article should always be written in third person and use active rather than passive verbs. For example, ‘Dr Jones used this equipment to study malaria’ is much more effective than ‘Mrs Smith used this equipment to study malaria’. Also, it’s best to avoid jarring readers with sudden switches between active and passive voice. For instance, ‘Dr Jones’ should always be referred to as ‘Dr Jones’; not ‘Mr Jones’ or ‘Mrs Smith’.