The classic definition of news is “dog bites man” and “man bites dog,” but this does not take into account the fact that what is a crime in one society may be an ordinary occurrence in another. It is also important to remember that the purpose of news media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – is to inform and educate its readers, listeners or viewers, not to entertain them. Entertainment comes from other areas – music and drama on the radio; cartoons and crossword puzzles in newspapers, for example.
In this context, a good news story starts with a headline that grabs attention. It should be short and to the point, and should be written according to Associated Press style guidelines (unless your publication specifies otherwise). The lead is the first paragraph of the news story that introduces the topic and provides answers to the questions who, what, when, where, why and how. It is the heart of a news story and can be written using dramatic anecdotes, surprising facts or a combination of both.
Once the lead is written, a news story should provide further detail about the subject by interviewing sources or investigating the information. It should also have a visual element, with photographs, video or audio. Finally, it should be shareable on social media platforms so that people are compelled to spread it. The development of new media – especially online – means that it is now much harder for governments to control the dissemination of news and information. As a result, it is increasingly important that people develop a sense of news literacy so they can make their own judgments about what is and is not newsworthy.