While fiction lets you explore creativity and essays dive deep into analysis, news articles get straight to the point. From breaking stories of global events to uplifting profiles of local champions, news articles serve as the backbone of our society’s information flow.
The first part of a news article, called the lede, grabs readers’ attention and summarizes what happened. A good lead is short and compelling, explaining the “Five W’s” of a story: who, what, when, where, and why. The next paragraph, known as the nut graph, provides additional details and quotes that add context and significance to the story. A well-written nut graph ensures that your audience will keep reading, even if they skim the article.
After the nut graph, news articles typically follow an inverted pyramid format: the most important information is introduced at the beginning and then supported with additional details and quotes in the body of the article. Lastly, a conclusion provides perspective and further detail on the most significant aspects of the story. When writing a news article, it’s important to verify your facts with multiple sources to maintain credibility and objectivity. It’s also a best practice to use third-person writing and avoid using personal pronouns, unless necessary for clarity.
It’s important to note that while the public has a right to free speech, journalists may face legal consequences when they write false or defamatory articles about individuals. To avoid libel, it’s vital that all facts in an article are true and accurately reflect the subject’s character.