News is a summary of events that are important, interesting or unusual and which affect people’s daily lives. News has been transmitted through oral means since ancient times, with written versions becoming widespread after the invention of paper. Modern technology has increased the speed at which news can travel and the reach of the people it reaches. Newspapers, radio, television and the internet are all common news sources.
The first thing a journalist needs to do when writing a news article is gather the facts. This involves asking the 5 W’s and H: who, what, when, where and why. Once the journalist has gathered all of the facts, they must be presented clearly in an informative manner. It’s good practice to keep a neutral tone and not include personal opinions in the article. News articles should follow a structure called the inverted pyramid, with the most important information presented at the beginning of the article.
Crime: Any crime can make news, but more serious crimes or unusual crimes tend to get more attention. Weather: Extreme temperatures, storms or snow are often reported in the news. Food and drink: Stories about food shortages or surpluses, a new type of wine or the launch of a restaurant all make interesting news. Entertainment: Stories about music, theatre and film can all be newsworthy.
Remember not to share a story on social media without reading it and vetting the source. Unverified, sensational news can spread quickly and clog people’s feeds with misinformation.