When you hear the word news, you may think of black-and-white journalism in a newspaper or the nightly recap on your television. But news is much more than that. It can be a simple update on a business, a local event, or even the results of a school election. It can also be a personal viewpoint from the writer, known as an editorial or news analysis. This type of news is injected with the author’s bias to persuade readers on a topic.
To develop a news article, you need to have a good “news sense,” the ability to spot and shape compelling stories out of everyday events. Professional journalists rely on proven methods to develop their news articles and keep readers engaged.
A solid news article begins with a strong lead that clearly states the main idea of the story. The lead should answer the six essential questions of what, where, when, who, and why. Then, write the article itself in a clear and concise way. Use a style guide, such as AP (Associated Press) style, to ensure that your work adheres to standards for the profession.
Use a variety of sources to confirm the facts in your article, including official documents, eyewitness accounts, and interviews with relevant people. Include quotes from those involved in the story and make sure to cite them with their full name, occupation, and age. Also, be sure to use a formal title for the person, such as Mayor Smith.