How to Write a Top News Story
For a good news story it is important to get all the key information right at the start. The first paragraph, or lead, of your article should answer the six classic questions – Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.
It should also include key details and an opinion.
What is news?
News is information about current events. It is usually reported in the media – this includes newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. It can also be found on the Internet.
What is considered to be news will vary from society to society. For example, in one society if dogs are eaten it may not be news that a man bites a dog, but in another society this is likely to be news. News often involves a mixture of violence and scandal. It can cover topics such as war, government, politics, education and health.
People like to hear about things that are important or significant. This is why stories about celebrities and royalties are so popular. It is also why news from other countries is so important, it gives us a glimpse into other cultures and how they live. This knowledge can be useful in building international relationships and understanding each other. Also, news about natural disasters is always big news.
What makes a story newsworthy?
News stories must be timely. Things that happened yesterday are old news; they no longer spark curiosity or interest. The timeliness of a story also depends upon the news medium. For example, events that happen in the past half hour make headlines on a rolling news channel but may not make the cut in a monthly publication.
Proximity (how close an event happens to the audience) and importance, impact or consequence (how many people will be affected by the story) are two important criteria for making a story newsworthy.
Conflict or controversy is another newsworthy element. People love drama and are naturally interested in conflict, so a story that shows a clash of interests is newsworthy. For example, a local councillor who is caught taking bribes or an anti-gay rights politician who gets kicked out of his party are both newsworthy because they show conflict between powerful people. These stories also tap into the audience’s emotions, which is another factor that makes them newsworthy.
How do I write a news story?
Write an introductory paragraph that summarizes the key points of your news story. This is called a summary lead and often appears in newspapers above the fold (the part that gets folded down). For more details please visit eminenthospitality.com
If you have interviewed people for your story, be sure to use third person writing (he, she, it) unless you are using direct quotes. Likewise, avoid courtesy titles like Dr., Mr., Ms., and Mrs. unless they are specifically relevant to your story, such as a doctor who has just performed surgery on someone.
Whenever possible, add photos to your news stories. This makes them more visually appealing and will encourage readers to keep reading. In addition, make sure your photos are of high quality. Avoid “grip and grin” type photos, which can be unprofessional. Also, if you are using any images or information from another publication, always attribute it with a link back to the original piece. Finally, remember to follow Associated Press style when writing a news article.
