News is a term used to describe a timely account of an interesting or significant event or development. It has been around for centuries, with various methods of transporting and communicating it being utilized throughout history. Today, news is commonly conveyed via newspaper, television and radio, but has also spread to the Internet and mobile devices. It can be hard to keep up with the constant barrage of breaking news, especially when both legitimate and erroneous sources proliferate. Developing a strategy for assessing news needs and finding trustworthy sources can help people stay informed.
The information that makes it into a news story varies, depending on the publication and intended audience. For example, a political scandal may make front page headlines in one publication while another may choose to focus on an environmental issue. The content of a story is often determined by a group of individuals within the organization, called editors or news directors. Taking recommendations from reporters and assistant editors, these gatekeepers decide what is considered newsworthy. Those who regularly read, watch or listen to the news will notice that most organizations seem to cover similar stories with very little variety.
Oftentimes, news articles are geared toward a particular demographic, based on geography and the type of story being reported. A local news story about a school function, for example, will likely be of interest to parents of the children involved, while a story about zoning laws in an urban area may be of interest to business owners. This demographic is important to consider when writing news, as it can influence how the story is framed and the tone of the writing.
There are several elements that can help to engage readers with a news story, including timeliness, drama and consequence. Readers are interested in hearing about events that are happening right now or have recently happened, as well as those that will impact them directly. They are also interested in hearing from primary sources, such as those who have knowledge of the situation or those who were involved.
Adding conflict to the story can also be an effective way to make it more engaging. People are intrigued by disagreements, rivalries and arguments that add excitement to a story. Finally, human emotions are a powerful tool for engaging readers, and are often the driving force behind many news stories. These can include excitement, fear, surprise, anger or frustration. In addition, a news article can be made more interesting by including a celebrity or other well-known person in the mix. This will draw the attention of those who might not otherwise be interested in reading about a topic they don’t care about.