News is information about something recent, interesting and significant that has just happened, or will affect people. Historically it has been conveyed through written or oral channels, but advances in communication and technological innovation have accelerated the pace of reporting and influenced its content.
The most important thing to consider when writing a news article is what will engage readers. You need to grab their attention quickly and provide them with the essentials, such as who, what, when, where and why. This is usually done with a dramatic anecdote or surprising fact. It also helps to give the context of the story and why it is timely, for example:
Government proclamations: news about laws being made or repealed, royal events, parliamentary debates and changes to public services. People are interested in the lives of famous people: stories about celebrities, their homes and children, fashion, beauty, philanthropy or what they have bought with their money. People are concerned about health: news about diseases, hospitals, medical research, traditional remedies and treatments. All societies are interested in sex, even though they do not discuss it openly.
It is a good idea to include expert commentary or analysis in your news articles. It gives the reader more understanding of the topic and makes it more memorable. This may be from a journalist, academic or from ordinary people who are close to the subject and can offer technical insight. It is also good to have some ‘good news’ – positive stories about humanity or nature that balance out the many negative ones in the media.