Breaking news is an important part of the journalism process. It involves covering fast-developing events that must be reported immediately, such as a plane crash, fire or flood. News articles prioritize delivering verified facts in a succinct and structured format so that readers get the most information in the shortest amount of time possible. In contrast, feature stories provide in-depth explanations of complex topics and investigative reports uncover hidden truths or complexities.
A breaking news story begins with a headline that grabs attention by stating the main point or action of the piece. A strong news lead answers the six essential questions of who, what, when, where and why and often places new developments in context. For example, instead of saying “A fire broke out at 3 AM on Main Street,” you might write “Flames engulfed the bakery that morning, sending residents running from their homes.”
In breaking news, paragraphs are short for punchiness and appearance. They should include only the most crucial information and avoid using jargon or other words that would be unfamiliar to the general reader. It’s also important to include a source’s full first name or initials in the first reference and a formal title when used afterward.
Practice writing a variety of news articles to sharpen your skills and develop your instincts. Pay close attention to how established media outlets handle similar stories and how they use word choice, sentence length and tone. You can also study the work of veteran journalists to learn from their experience.