A news article is an account of a recent, interesting and significant event or development. It should be written in a neutral, factual tone and avoid opinion or bias. It should also be carefully researched to ensure that the facts are accurate. A news article is usually written for a newspaper, magazine or online. It should have a snappy headline that concisely informs readers of the topic while seizing their interest. The news article should include the key aspects of the story – what, when, who, where and why. It should finish with a conclusion that restates the leading statement (thesis) or indicates future developments relating to the topic.
There is no one formula to decide whether something is newsworthy, but a good rule of thumb is that the more it meets the six criteria of exlusivity, surprise, bad news, conflict and magnitude the better. However, it is important to bear in mind that a person’s view of what is newsworthy will differ depending on their culture and social context. A cow-and-pig farm wall collapsing will have different levels of interest in two societies that differ greatly in their relative importance of cattle and pigs.
In general, people are interested in stories about famous men and women, the entertainment industry, animals, human interest, a developing drama or events that involve conflict. They are also interested in what is going on in their society, which means that news articles often contain information about government policies, wars and battles, crime, the economy, hospitals, schools, drugs, sex or money.
