How to Write a Good News Article
News is an important source of information for people. It keeps them informed about what is happening in their local community, country and internationally. It also teaches them about different cultures and issues that they might not be aware of.
A news article should be factual and informative, but it should also be interesting to read. This is because if an article is not interesting, then it will not get read and shared. This is why it is important to know how to write a good news article.
Whether you are writing for a newspaper, website or television station, the key to writing a good news article is keeping your audience in mind. Ask yourself the following questions before you start writing:
What is newsworthy?
Newsworthy events are those that have an impact on a large number of people or affect them in some way. The impact may be negative or positive, but it should be significant enough to merit being reported. Some examples of negative impact would be loss of life, natural disasters or a political crisis. Positive impacts would include job creation, economic growth or social change.
Where does the news come from?
As the economic model that has subsidized professional journalism collapses, where does the news come from now? This is a question that is of increasing importance as we move into an era where online blogs and specialty news sites are taking over the role once occupied by traditional print, radio and television.
What kind of story does my audience want to read?
A good way to determine how newsworthy a story is is to look at the five elements of newsworthiness: new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. The more of these criteria a story meets, the more likely it is to be considered newsworthy. However, the importance of each element can vary from one society to another. For example, a farm wall collapsing and killing a cow and a pig may be of equal interest to farmers in two different societies. But a coup d’etat in the next town over is much more likely to be considered newsworthy than a drought in a distant country.
What kind of stories do people share on Facebook and Twitter?
The kind of stories that generate the most shares and likes on social media are those that contain an element of surprise or contrast. They are also more likely to be illustrated with arresting photographs or video clips.
When creating a news story, it is a good idea to have another person read through the draft to make sure that it is clear and concise. This is especially important if you are competing with another news outlet for the same audience. You might be tempted to add a few extra details or tangents to your story in order to make it more interesting, but it is important not to overdo it. Long, winding sentences will cause readers to tune out.