News is information about current events which interests a large number of people. It can be about a natural disaster, a war, a terrorist attack, an accident or the death of a famous person. When writing a news article, the key to success is keeping it up to date and ensuring that the facts are correct. It is also important to avoid inserting your own opinions into the piece. Instead, let the sources speak for themselves by including quotes from them in your article.
A good headline is an essential part of a news article, as it will be used to attract readers. It is usually short and snappy, and should contain a question or statement which will make the reader curious enough to read on. The headline should be written using Associated Press style guidelines, unless the publication you are writing for specifies something different. It is often the case that other members of the publication will write the headlines for you, so it may be best to ask them what they want.
If you are not sure whether something is newsworthy, think about the questions “What, when, who, where and why?” It is the things which have the most impact which are normally considered to be newsworthy, although this will differ from society to society. For example, a girl going to school or university is interesting, but not as interesting as a man aged 55 marrying a woman of 15.
Timeliness is another vital factor in determining whether something is newsworthy. It does not do much good to report on something which happened a week ago, as the community has already moved on. It is better to focus on something which is happening now, and perhaps try to get the story out before other media outlets do.
People’s interest in a story is determined by the importance they attach to it and the way in which it makes them feel. This is why most news stories are automatically about people. However, a hurricane, an earthquake or a war are not as interesting as the murder of a prime minister.
Other factors in determining whether an event is newsworthy are its uniqueness, its significance and the level of public concern. It is these elements which determine what goes on Page One of the paper or into the television bulletins, and what is put into the rubbish bin.
In general, it is only news which is unusual, interesting and significant which gets reported. If a man wakes up, has breakfast and catches the bus to work, it is not newsworthy – but if that same man was 90 years old and was still catching the bus to work every day, then that would be. This is why the public must be the judge of what is really newsworthy. If a story is not newsworthy, it should not be reported at all. It does not help to confuse the public with irrelevant information.
