News is information about events, people or things that have happened, are happening or might happen in the future. News is usually reported by newspapers, magazines, television and radio but the internet also has a vast number of news sites. The news is often political, social or cultural in nature but it can also be sports related or scientific or technical. News is a vital part of society and is essential for understanding what is going on around us.
Historically, new was spread through word of mouth but with the advent of printing and technology news could be rapidly distributed. It has been argued that the speed of transmission and the impact of technology on news has changed its content and form.
It is possible to be overloaded with news and that it can affect a person’s health. This is referred to as news fatigue and can lead to stress, anxiety, insomnia or loss of energy. It is therefore important to keep a balance between keeping informed and protecting mental health.
The classic definition of news is ‘dog bites man’, but this does not apply universally – if dogs are eaten in one society then it may not be newsworthy that a man bites a dog in that society. In general, a story will be newsworthy if it is unusual or surprising.
Some examples of common news stories include war, government, politics, education, health, the environment and business. However, most of the time the news is about people – what they do, how they act or what they look like. Celebrity news is often a source of interest as well as stories about the homeless, the poor or the sick.
In order to write a news article, it is necessary to research the topic thoroughly. It is helpful to identify any opposing views and people who are involved in the event or issue being covered. Once a good grasp of the facts is gained, the writing process can begin.
A good headline is important for a news article because it needs to be catchy, emotion evoking or curious. It should also contain the main points of the story. Once the main facts are listed, it is useful to add any supporting details which will help readers understand the full context of the situation. For example, a list of statistics can help explain the magnitude of an event.
A final note on writing news is to be aware that the opinions and biases of the writer can colour the information provided. While it is necessary to be impartial in the reporting of news, it can be helpful to use third-person pronouns (he, she or they) rather than first-person pronouns such as ‘I’. This will help avoid any accusations of favouritism or bias. In addition, a well written news article should be proofread thoroughly for accuracy, consistency and clarity. A good way to test this is to read a few different news sources and see how they present the same event.