News is a broad category of information, including stories that deal with current events. It can be reported by newspapers, radio and television stations or on the internet.
There are many different types of news, but there are some common characteristics that all articles must have. These include:
The Most Important Part of the Story
A news article should start with a clear headline that grabs readers’ attention and informs them of what is happening in the world around them. This will help readers stay engaged and read the entire article.
It should also explain the most important parts of the news so that they understand what happened and why it is so important. This is usually done in an inverted pyramid format, with the most important information at the top and the least important information at the bottom.
Use the Active Voice When Writing
The active voice is more vivid and informative than the passive. This is because it helps to make the words stand out. It is especially useful when writing about a controversial topic, such as a war or natural disaster.
Write the Article in Chronological Order
In most news stories, the events in a story should take place in chronological order. This ensures that readers can read through the story in the order they want to, which is easier on their eyes than reading it in reverse.
Use the First Name and Last Initial of People
In a news article, identifying people is essential to establishing a sense of credibility. It is best to include the full first name or both initials of a person in a reference if possible, but it is not necessary to do so unless the subject is known by every reader of your article.
It is also important to include a photograph of the person. This will make them easier to identify and will help to give the article a more personal touch.
Have an Editor Review Your Work
The most important thing when writing a news article is to have someone else review it before you submit it for publication. This extra set of eyes can help to catch any grammatical errors or other problems that might be in the article.
If you are writing for a specialized publication, you should know your audience so that you can tailor the story to meet their needs. This will help you to include the right facts and avoid any unnecessary jargon.
Have a News Value for Your Article
There are many different news values that are used to determine whether or not an event should be considered a news story. Some of these values include:
Significance
This relates to the size of the story and how it affects a large group of people. Journalists are more interested in stories that are affecting people in their own local area, rather than ones that have an international impact.
Proximity
This refers to where the story took place and how it impacted the community. This is usually a good choice for a local newspaper or radio station.