News is information about current events, obtained at any time and anywhere, and conveyed to people in a timely manner. It aims to inform readers about significant issues and occurrences, but must be done so in an objective manner according to ethical standards. This includes presenting all sides of a story, avoiding bias and reporting on developments as they occur rather than after the fact. It may be broadcast on television, radio, in print or online. News can be both local or international in scope and is generally categorized by its relevance to the public or a particular audience.
The selection of what is considered to be news reflects both the socially constructed notion of what is important and the individual’s pre-existing knowledge and attitudes. Despite the efforts of journalists to present a variety of viewpoints, some stories are deemed more important than others. This is because of the impact on a larger number of people or the level of drama involved. News is also impacted by economic factors, and the emergence of free and for-profit online news sites has changed the way that journalism is funded.
It is important to stay up-to-date with news on all levels – international, governmental and regional as well as local. This will allow you to write articles that are informative and entertaining for your audience. It is also important to understand your audience when writing news articles, as different audiences will be interested in various topics. For example, a story about a new medical breakthrough is unlikely to appeal to the masses, but will probably be read by doctors and scientists.
When you have your topic, it is time to gather your sources. The best source are those directly involved in the story, known as primary sources. This could be a firefighter talking about the aftermath of a recent blaze or a pet owner discussing their cat’s illness with a veterinarian. Secondary sources include experts who can provide technical commentary and analysis on the issue, as well as other publications that have covered the topic in the past.
Once you have your source material, draft an outline of the story using the inverted pyramid structure. This will help you stay on track while writing, ensuring that the most important points are at the top of the article and that each paragraph is related to its immediate predecessor. It is also helpful to use direct and concise language when writing news, as long as the tone doesn’t detract from the overall meaning of the piece.
Be sure to avoid jargon and acronyms, as these will confuse the reader. Instead, use clear and descriptive words that will make the article easy to understand for those who are not familiar with your subject matter. In addition, be careful when using adjectives, as they can often have a negative connotation in the context of news. While they can be used to add colour and excitement to the story, they should be carefully considered before their inclusion.