News is a current account of interesting or significant events, developments or happenings. It may be a human interest story or it could be the latest sporting triumph, war or natural disaster. The information in a news story is often provided by a journalist or a member of the public.
A good news story should be new, unusual, interesting and significant. It should also be about people, and it should be timely. It should also be interesting and entertaining – although entertainment can come from many sources, including music, drama, cartoons, films and theatre, and food and drink.
Society is interested in what famous people do, and their personal lives are often the source of news stories. When those people are involved in scandal, it becomes more newsworthy. The same is true of business people, who make the news when they lose or gain fortunes. Crime also makes the news – traffic offences, burglary, fraud and murder.
Weather makes news if it affects daily life and the economy, such as floods, droughts, extreme temperatures or snowstorms. Health news is popular, with stories about traditional remedies and medical research, hospitals and clinics, diseases, nutrition and exercise. Sex makes the news, too – especially when it is a story about behaviour that goes outside a society’s generally accepted standards.
When writing a news story, it is important to remember that readers are busy and don’t have the time to read long stories. Try to be concise and eliminate any jargon. If you do have to use an acronym, always write it out in full the first time you mention it in your article or story.
