When people think of news, they may envision black-and-white journalism in a major newspaper or nightly headlines on a television show. However, news doesn’t have to be confined to an entire city, state or country; it can be an update on a department within a business or even a specific project at work. Regardless of the type of news, it’s important that all articles are well written to help readers understand what’s happening.
Whether the topic is a fire, an earthquake, a political event or any other breaking story, it’s vital that a news reporter captures the audience’s attention immediately. A good way to do this is by starting with a dramatic anecdote or a surprising fact that will instantly draw in readers. This introduction is known as the lede and should answer the who, what, when, where and why questions.
Some news stories contain a personal viewpoint, which is known as an editorial or a news analysis. The goal of this kind of news is to influence the reader’s opinion on a particular issue. This should be clearly stated in the title and body of the article to avoid any confusion for readers.
When a news report is being written, it’s best to use third person throughout the entire piece to maintain objectivity. This helps the story sound professional and credible. However, if the story calls for it, a first or second person reference can be used as long as it is consistent and appropriate to the news story.