News is information about current events that has been gathered and reported by a news agency or organization. It can be reported in a variety of ways, including on the radio, TV, and in newspapers. It can also be broadcast on social media sites. News can be about a number of topics, from world and domestic political issues to weather and sports. It can also be about celebrities, accidents, and other interesting or important stories that happen in the community or country.

News has been a vital source of information throughout history. People have been able to transport information through oral means for centuries, and the invention of paper allowed for written reports. The development of television and radio enabled people to share more widely, and the Internet has increased the speed at which information can spread and be reported. The types of news stories that are reported can vary depending on the audience, from a general audience to an expert audience.

There are many definitions of what is considered news, but most agree that it is information about significant events. It should be presented briefly so that readers will read it, clearly so they will understand it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so that they will be guided by it.

How do we know what is news? The most common way to judge what is news is by looking at the public reaction. However, this can be subjective and may not necessarily reflect the truth. Other criteria include the impact of an event, whether it incorporates violence and scandal, if it is local and familiar, or if it is topical.

When writing a newspaper article, it is important to keep the reader in mind. A good newspaper article will contain enough information so that the reader can form an opinion about the subject matter. A good newspaper article will also provide the reader with a concluding statement that restates the leading statement (thesis) or indicates potential future developments relating to the subject.

It is also important to remember that a news story should be balanced. Although an opinion should not be imposed on the article, it is important that there are a number of opinions represented. This will help to ensure that the article is a factual report and not just an emotional or ideological statement.

In addition, it is important to consider the source of the information and how that may influence the news article. In a polarized world where a single source of news can have a great impact, it is important to seek out a reputable and unbiased source. This can be done by checking the reputation of the organization or using a news aggregator site, which allows users to compare a variety of articles from different sources.

This collection of resources offers lessons and downloadables to help students practice their news literacy skills. It includes resources on topics ranging from identifying bias to fact-checking. It also includes a chart of the types of news that are often covered by various outlets.