News is information about recent events or developments that is reported in a newspaper, magazine or online. It is usually factual but can also include opinion, analysis or commentary. A good news story should be objective and not swayed by political or personal biases.
The term news was first used in the 16th century by a French printer to refer to a newsletter published every day. The word was derived from the Latin “notitia” meaning announcement or notification. In the era before newspapers, public notices were posted in streets and public places by criers or bellmen. Town criers would shout out important news to passers-by and also announce the arrival of messengers. Today, the news comes to us via radio, television and the internet.
A good news article will contain the following elements:
It should have a lead or opening paragraph which will grab readers’ attention and summarize the main points of the story. It should contain enough information to let the reader decide whether to read the full article. It should include the date, place and main people involved. It should also state why the event is newsworthy. If there is a specific angle or twist in the story this should be stated in the lead or opening paragraph as well.
An article should have a title which is short and clear, but not sensational. If the headline is too dramatic or controversial, it may put readers off. The article should include a byline, which is the name of the writer-usually the person who wrote the story. It is a good idea to write the headline yourself rather than leave it up to other staffers at your publication. This can save them time and help you to focus on the most important parts of your piece.
If you are writing a news article, it is important to find out all the facts before you begin to write. You can do this by researching the topic, talking to sources and reading other articles about the same subject. It is also a good idea to watch or listen to news programs and stations to see how they cover stories.
A good news story will be interesting and significant for the people in the local area. It will be of importance to the community or nation as a whole, and may affect them in some way. It should also be unusual, which means that it will not be the same old stuff that people have already heard about. A man waking up, eating breakfast and going to work on the bus is not newsworthy, but an assassination of a politician is.
Be aware that the news can be biased. Different people have both conscious and unconscious biases that can affect the kinds of news they consume, how they consume it and how comprehensive their knowledge of a subject is. Try to seek out news outlets that are known to be reliable and balanced, but also try to find some that challenge your existing beliefs.