News is information about events that occur in society and have a potential to affect other people. It can be about social, political or economic developments or even natural calamities and unique phenomena. News can also be about famous persons, their personal life, and other entertainment activities. It may be presented in the form of audio, video or print. News is a vital part of human life as it informs people about happenings in the world around them and helps to stay connected with others.
A person can get news by reading newspapers, magazines and online websites. In addition, he or she can watch TV channels and listen to radio broadcasts for the latest updates on national and international events. People can use apps to receive personalized news alerts based on their areas of interest. They can also share news with other people on social media.
When preparing to write a news article, the first step is gathering facts. This can be done by looking at what has already been written on the subject and deciding what more needs to be said. For example, an event such as a celebrity break-up is likely to be popular with readers but is probably not newsworthy if it has happened many days previously and has been widely reported.
The next step is to write a headline which is catchy and to the point. It should include the question ‘who, what, when, where and how’ to give an overview of the story. The lead is the most important paragraph in a news article because it grabs attention and decides whether readers will read it or not. It should include a dramatic anecdote, a surprising fact or an important breaking news update. The lead should also be clear and accurate. It should not contain your opinions, as these are not newsworthy.
If you are writing a newspaper article, you will need to include the byline of your name, as well as a date and location where the story took place. You should also provide a brief background of the subject. It is usually good to include a picture of the event, as this will help readers understand what is being described. Then, you will need to include the ‘nut graph’ which explains what the story is about. This can be one or several paragraphs and should answer the questions ‘who, what, when, where, why’ and place new developments in context.
Some of the most significant developments are those that challenge established ideas or beliefs. These can have a major impact on society, for example, the discovery of a new antibiotic or the development of artificial intelligence. Other major developments can be less obvious, for example, a new type of insect that has evolved to live on a plant that it did not previously inhabit. These discoveries can be interesting and unusual but are unlikely to be of general interest, unless they are published in a scientific journal or broadcast by a specialist news organisation.