News is the information, facts and events that happen on a daily basis that are of interest to an audience. It can be an international, national or local event, something that affects people in the community. It is usually based on current affairs, such as politics, culture or the economy. It can also cover sport, entertainment or the environment. The most important thing when writing a news article is to get the facts right. This involves extensive research on the topic and asking what journalists call the ‘5 W’s’; who, what, when, where and why.
The ‘Who’ of a news story is the people involved. This can include anyone from a politician to an individual. Most news articles have a human angle and focus on how the story will affect one or more individuals.
What is newsworthy differs between societies. A cyclone, flood or bush fire can be of more interest to a reader in Australia than a storm in England. However, it is still the impact on people that makes a story newsworthy.
A good way to keep up with the news is by reading as much as possible, including newspapers and magazines. It is also useful to watch and listen to the radio, television and internet. This way you will be able to pick up on any newsworthy developments that are happening around the world.
When writing a news article it is best not to put in your own opinion, unless it is very important and relevant. Using adjectives can be misleading and it is better to stick to factual information. The use of neutral language is more effective in a news article, and it allows the reader to make up their own opinion about the event.
If your article is a report or analysis of a specific subject it is good practice to interview key people and get their views on the subject. You can then include the quotes in your article. It is a good idea to get the person’s name and title so that it adds credibility to your news article.
If you are a journalist it is important to be aware of all the events that happen in your area and the wider world. It is also important to stay updated on governmental and regional matters too. It is also a good idea to keep abreast of all ongoing debates and negotiations. This is because these can change in the course of a day, and it is important that you are up to date with the latest developments. This is especially important if you are covering a story in an unstable area or during a civil war. It can be a matter of life and death for your readers.
