News is an event that grabs people’s attention, informs them and stimulates interest. It has a wide variety of subject matter, ranging from politics, religion, economics and the environment to sports, science and technology. It can also include social, cultural or personal events.
It is about people, their lives and the impact they have on each other. People make up the majority of news items, however, the news is not only about human activities – cyclones, bush fires and volcanic eruptions can also be newsworthy.
A good news story has to be new, interesting, significant and about people. It must also be unusual, surprise and evoke emotion. Crime makes the news, as does any financial issue, for example a fortune made or lost. People like to read about the achievements of famous people and those who are in power. Prominent people also attract more attention than ordinary ones, so their activities are likely to be newsworthy.
It is important to know your audience when writing a news article. News articles for general newspapers or websites are often written to appeal to a broader range of readers, while those for specialized publications or communities may focus on a smaller audience. The headline is the most important part of a news article, as it needs to catch attention and evoke interest. The main body of a news article is usually written from top to bottom, with the most important information at the beginning of the article. This is because readers are conditioned to expect that the most important information will be placed above the fold of a newspaper or at the top of a website page.