News is the information and stories that are shared about current events. It is a form of communication that has been used since ancient times and is now widely distributed via newspapers, radio, TV and the Internet.
To be newsworthy, a story needs to be new, unusual, interesting and significant. It must also be about people. If something is not one of these, it can still be of interest if the subject is well known and someone shares an unusual or surprising angle.
Crime makes good news, especially when it is serious or unusual. Natural disasters and environmental catastrophes are also usually big news stories. Government proclamations, royal ceremonies, laws and taxes can be dubbed news, as are economic or financial news such as wage rises, compensation claims and inflation.
When writing a news article, remember to write “above the fold” (named after the crease in a newspaper where the top stories appear). Readers can be put off by long or winding sentences and lengthy or irrelevant details. This is why it’s important to know your audience.
A well written lead, the first paragraph of a news story, sums up many of the main points of the news. This is the key paragraph which readers will read and can determine whether or not they want to continue with the article. The body of the news article then expands on the subject, focusing on more detail and adding further context.