A short article containing news of a current event or situation. It may have an interesting angle, or be written to provoke discussion. It is usually based on first hand information, although secondary sources can be used. A good news story will captivate readers and evoke an emotional response. It should contain all the main facts of an event, and will often include quotes from people who were involved in the incident or have a knowledge of it. It should be free of personal bias, and not attempt to influence opinion or encourage a particular agenda.
It is important to understand your audience when writing a news article. Typically, each publication has a specific demographic that they are geared toward. If you are writing for a newspaper in Kansas City, for example, your target market will be primarily residents of the city. This information can help you focus your article and make sure it is relevant to your audience.
When deciding what makes good news, it is important to consider the five criteria of newsworthiness: Exclusivity, Interest, Impact, Magnitude and Surprise. For example, a story about an animal rescue might be considered a high-impact newsworthy topic because it is unusual and potentially life-saving. However, a story about an animal attack might be a low-impact topic because it is common and not particularly significant.
You also need to take into account the relative importance of the event in different societies. For example, a bug that destroys a person’s garden might be a big deal in one country, but not in another, where bugs are not a major pest. Finally, the importance of the event can also change if it affects the interests or the security of the readership. For instance, a coup d’etat in one country might be more interesting than one in another because the former has broader implications for the community.
After you have determined the importance of your topic, you must gather all the necessary information to write the news article. This can be done through primary sources, such as interviewing the people directly involved in the event. For example, if you are writing about a fire, you might interview firefighters and the homeowner who lived in the building. Alternatively, you could use secondary sources, such as the results of previous fire investigations.
After gathering all the information, you must write the headline and lead paragraph. The headline should be catchy and to the point. It should also include the basic facts of the story, including the location and time of the event. The lead should give a preview of the news story and include your byline, which is your name as the writer. This helps readers decide whether or not they want to read your article. You should avoid using excessive adjectives in the lead, as this can distract from the message of your article. It is also important to use proper spelling and punctuation, as well as avoid abbreviations and jarring changes in tense.