News is current information about events obtained from every corner of the world. It is a vital part of communication in any society. It is presented to readers, listeners or viewers in a newspaper, magazine, radio or television in order to inform them and educate them about the happenings around them. There is also a lot of entertainment value to news – music and drama programs on radio, cartoons and crossword puzzles in newspapers etc.
In order to make an article newsworthy it must meet five criteria – newness, unusualness, interest, significance and impact. It is these criteria that decide whether a story will be published on the front page of the newspaper or given prime time slot on the television.
The most important aspect of writing a news article is knowing your audience. This will dictate the tone and voice of the article as well as what should be included. Keeping in mind the intended audience will help you focus on what is most important to them and what would be significant to their lives.
A good rule of thumb is to always tell the reader something they can use and will be of benefit to them. For example, weather forecasts or train timings will be of interest to people as it helps them plan their day-to-day activities. News articles can also have educational value such as information about different courses in higher education or opportunities for career advancement.
When it comes to hard news – politics, war, business, crime or a natural disaster – this is what usually makes the headlines and is placed at the top of a newspaper or website. This is because it is the most relevant to the general public and has a high news value.
Soft news – which is often seen in the second and third sections of the newspaper or in the middle of a TV broadcast – is less urgent but still of interest to most people. These include issues such as food shortages, crop diseases and a shortage of housing.
Whenever possible, try to get direct quotes from the subject of the article. This is a great way to add credibility to your story and allows the readers to hear the opinion of someone who has firsthand experience of the issue being discussed. Also avoid using jargon that may be unfamiliar to your audience. It can be easy to lose their attention if you don’t keep them engaged with the story by using confusing or unnecessarily long words. This will also help to ensure that your article is readable for everyone.