News is information about events that have happened, or will happen, in a local area, country or the world. It is presented in newspapers, magazines and on radio and television. It is also available on the Internet, and many people read it using mobile devices like smartphones and netbooks. The main purpose of news is to inform and educate readers, listeners or viewers. It can entertain, but that usually comes from other areas of the media – music and drama on radio or TV; crosswords and cartoons in newspapers.
Writing a news article can be challenging. The story must be factual, but it should also be interesting to readers. A boring story won’t get much attention, so it’s important to find a balance between the two. It’s helpful to use a model like the inverted pyramid, where the most important information is at the beginning of the story. This helps readers decide whether or not to keep reading. A good lead should answer the questions “who, what, where, when, why and how”.
The strength of a story is measured according to its “news value”. For example, a coup d’etat in a neighboring country is probably as big a news event as a terrorist attack on the United States. The importance of a story can also vary according to cultural and social considerations. Generally, it is expected that journalists will attempt to present all sides of an issue without bias, although there are many exceptions to this rule.
A news article should be written in a clear and concise manner. It’s important to avoid long words and jargon, which can confuse readers. In addition, it’s helpful to write a draft and let someone else read it. This extra set of eyes can help catch errors and clarify confusing or difficult sentences.
In general, a news article should not include the writer’s personal opinion, except for editorials or letters to the editor. This is because the writer’s opinion can distract from the facts of the story and detract from its credibility. However, some writers may be able to bring a personal touch or unique perspective to a news story by using their own experience or by interviewing the subject of the story.
A good way to start a news article is with a strong, catchy headline. It should be short, and if possible, include the name of the person or organization involved. It’s also useful to include a byline, or the author’s name at the bottom of the page. This lets the reader know who wrote the article and can encourage him or her to continue reading. Finally, it’s important to write a nut graph, which is a summary of the main points in the story. The nut graph should include key details and quotes from authoritative sources. Then, the rest of the story can expand on these points. This can include examples, sensory descriptions and background information about the topic.
