News is information about current events which has been obtained quickly and accurately from every part of the world. It may be televised on TV, radio (or podcasts), printed in newspapers or displayed on websites. The word ‘News’ can also refer to a news agency which gathers, collates and disseminates this information to a wider audience.
News usually concerns people – their lives, feelings, achievements and disappointments. It can also be about non-human phenomena such as cyclones, droughts, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. People’s everyday activities – their work, play and relationships – are of interest to the media, especially when they differ from what is generally considered to be normal. Crime, especially road traffic offences, murders and robberies, can make interesting news. The way in which people spend money – spending sprees, big savings, compensation claims – is also a common theme for news stories.
When writing a News article it is important to engage the reader right from the beginning. The headline is an essential element in this process; it must be catchy, emotion evoking and create curiosity. It is also vital to provide enough detail in the first paragraph of the main article to ensure that readers continue to read to the end. This is known as writing above the fold – the name is derived from the fact that all of the most important information must be visible on a newspaper page before the crease. The same principle applies when writing online – the most important information should be placed at the top of the page so that readers are encouraged to scroll down for more.
