News is current events presented in a way that is interesting, timely and informative. It is usually reported in a public forum such as newspapers, television and radio. It can also be published on the Internet. News articles are written to be read by a general audience and should not contain personal bias.
When deciding what is newsworthy, a writer has to consider the impact, proximity, familiarity, conflict, timing and significance of an event. The more all of these factors are met, the more likely a story is to be considered newsworthy. An example of a newsworthy event is an insect infestation that threatens a farmer’s crop. While most people are not interested in bugs, the fact that this insect is causing serious problems for someone who relies on it to survive makes it newsworthy.
Writing a news article requires extensive research and attention to detail. The first step is to create a lead statement that grabs readers’ attention. Then, add all relevant details that support the statement. Often, these include how, when and where an event occurred, who was involved and why it is important.
Lastly, include an introductory paragraph that sets the tone for the news story. Depending on the forum, this may be placed above the fold in a newspaper or at the top of a web page so that it is easily accessible to most viewers. Then, finish the news article with a byline that indicates who wrote it.