News is information about current events. It is distributed through word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting and electronic communications. News can be a mix of entertainment, fact, opinion and scandal. News is a vital part of society as it helps in making informed decisions.
It is also a medium that informs the public about different aspects of life, including government policies and activities. News also serves as an educational tool and can help people in the development of their personalities and attitudes.
Some examples of news are:
Local News: These stories involve events in the local area such as crime, traffic issues and weather updates. They also cover local politics and community events such as fetes and fairs. Local news is important as it can affect the daily lives of the people in a given region or community.
National News: These articles are more general and report on events that affect the nation as a whole. They can include major political crises and wars but can also focus on sporting events such as the Olympics or a particular sports star. National news is important as it can impact the whole population and as such needs to be reported on in detail.
International News: These stories are more global in scope and focus on international incidents and developments. They can include natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. They can also include terrorist attacks and coups d’etat.
The strength of a news story is usually determined by how many of the following criteria it meets:
Currency: News is relevant only if it is happening now around us. It gets more interest if it is rare, new or unusual. People like to empathise with people in distress and so stories about them are often of high interest.
Objectivity: News must be objective and not show bias or favouritism. It is not easy to achieve but the best news stories have a balance of all sides of an issue. Fairness is also important because it shows that the journalist has checked all of the facts and only presented what is true.
When writing a news article, it is helpful to know your audience. This will dictate the tone and style of the piece. For example, a lighthearted approach may be more appropriate for a magazine that targets younger readers. Another good tip is to ensure that the important points are above the fold (the crease in a newspaper). This will draw the reader’s attention and encourage them to continue reading. It is also useful to keep in mind that an editor will read the article before it goes into print, so make sure that you have proofread it carefully and corrected any errors. Also, when referring to individuals, always use the full first name and both initials instead of just the middle initial. This will avoid jarring the reader with a change in person. Finally, news articles are generally written in the third person but if there is a strong reason to write in the first or second person, this should be clearly stated.