News is information about a current or recent event that is interesting, exciting or important to the public. It can be about anything from politics and war, to crime, natural disasters and business developments. In a democracy, it is essential that citizens are well informed in order to make decisions about their lives and their environment. That is why the press is often described as ‘the oxygen of democracy.’
There are five criteria for a story to be considered News: it must be new, unusual, interesting, significant and about people. It should also be accessible, timely and have impact.
Writing News requires a great deal of research and interviewing in order to gather all the necessary facts. It is important to write clearly and concisely so that your article is interesting to read. Long tangents can cause readers to tune out completely, so keep the main points of your story at the forefront of your mind when writing.
Having an idea of who your audience is and what they are interested in can help you determine the tone and style of your piece. You should also take into consideration how many people you want to reach. For example, a story about a local company may appeal to a small audience, but it could have a global effect if it is published in a major newspaper. Similarly, an article about a celebrity’s latest venture will attract a larger readership than one about a community initiative.