A news article is a piece of information about a current event or story. Writing a well written news article requires extensive research and attention to detail. It must be interesting to readers but also factually accurate. Having the right balance between these two can be tricky. It is also important to consider the audience for a news article, whether it will be read by general news readers or more specialized audiences.
A good headline captures reader interest and sets the stage for a story. It should be short, a few words or less, and based on Associated Press style guidelines unless the publication specifies something different. The byline tells the reader who wrote the article and provides a sense of authority. The lead is the first paragraph, usually a summary that answers the questions: what, when, who, where and why. It focuses on the most important details of a news item and often includes quotes. A well written nut graph, or “bottom line” concludes the news article by placing the new developments in context. It may answer the questions: what’s next and why should people care.
A news item must be unbiased and give enough information so that readers can form their own opinions about it, even if those opinions are in stark contrast to your own. It is important to intake news from a variety of sources, as each one presents the same event or news in a different way. For example, watching Fox News or reading HuffPost will seal you in a bubble of conservative or liberal bias, while reading the New York Times, Politico or the Washington Post will help to expand your perspective and understanding of the world.