News is information about something that has recently changed or that happened. It usually involves people, places and events. It can also be about things that affect the environment, such as a flood, fire or drought. Alternatively, it can be about things that affect business, such as a merger or new product launch. In general, the more interesting or surprising a news story is, the more likely it is to be reported.
A news article should have a clear headline that is short and informative. This is the first thing that readers will see and will help them decide if they want to read the entire piece. It should include the most important facts of the news story, including any relevant dates and times. The title should also include the name of the source. Some publications may require a byline, which is the author’s name.
When writing a news article, it is important to avoid putting in your own opinions or biases. This is especially true for a news article about a controversial subject. A good way to do this is to interview the subjects of your story and get them to talk about their own opinions. In addition, you can use quotes from public statements made by officials or other sources to add credibility to your story.
While it is impossible to find completely unbiased news, there are many outlets that have earned reputations for being trustworthy. Some of these are online news aggregators, such as Google News, which provides a variety of articles from different outlets around the world. Other sources that are considered to be trustworthy include Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and the BBC.
Another great way to keep up with the latest news is by signing up for a few good newsletters. These are usually brief and concise, making them easy to read on the go. These are often curated by professionals and are usually free of any commercial bias. Some of these newsletters are The Economist Espresso, Next Draft and The New York Times Morning Briefing.
A good news article should be able to answer the five Ws – who, what, where, when and why. It should also have a clear timeline of the event and include any relevant background information that will help readers understand the significance of the news. It is important to know the audience for your news article and tailor it to their interests.
In general, human-centric news is more interesting than non-human-centric news. However, what is interesting and significant in one society may not be in another. For example, a cyclone or a bush fire could be newsworthy in one country but not in another. Similarly, political upheaval in one country may not be newsworthy in another.
