When you watch news, you are often aware of a wide range of topics. There are many reasons to tune into a newscast, from the weather to the latest business developments. Weather reports are important because they can lead to unusually high or low temperatures or rainfall. Food and drink are important to people of all classes, and stories about crop diseases and crop harvest sizes affect food prices and availability. In addition, you can learn about new beer brands and entertainment, including art and culture.
Contents of a news story
Before you write a news story, consider these five tips to make it more compelling. First, determine what the story is all about. Then, identify who is the main person or source of the story. Then, identify what is important to them in the story and how you can add that personal touch. Then, add at least one image that captures their attention. Images add a visual element to the news.
Ways to evaluate a news story
SMART Checks are particularly useful for evaluating a news story. They determine the reputability of the author or news source and if the story contradicts other sources. There’s also the CRAP test, which is a checklist of questions to evaluate sources. It’s important to check the source’s date of publication or posting and whether the information contained in the story is current. Rosenstiel defines evidence as “proof that the sources are knowledgeable.”
Characteristics of a good news story
When writing a news story, make sure you answer all five W’s. Answering the first four in the first paragraph of your story is sufficient, but the last two can be more difficult and are subject to interpretation. Good news reports also list their sources and describe their methods of evaluating anonymous sources. Then they give the readers what they want to know – a balanced view of the event. These characteristics will make a news story stand out in the crowd.
Formats of news stories
The most common style for news stories is the “inverted pyramid.” This structure avoids placing dates or other important details at the beginning of the story. Instead, key information is placed at the start, followed by details in decreasing order. This is especially useful when writing for the Internet, where news stories can be published in a variety of formats. But whether your article is short or long, there are several different formats to choose from. Here are some of the most common types.
Principles of journalism
In reporting on news events, journalists are bound by the principles of fairness, accuracy, and objectivity. Journalists are required to seek out all relevant facts about the story and to corroborate them with multiple sources. They should also avoid taking sides or acting on behalf of special interests, and should disclose any conflicts of interest to their editors and readers. Some organizations characterize this principle as “objectivity,” while others view it as a stance.