News is information about current events that affect people. It can be a story about a crime, political unrest, an accident, a natural disaster or something more personal like a wedding or a birth. It can also be about the economy, health or social issues.
Whether in print or online the most important information should be placed “above the fold” (a crease in a newspaper) as this is where readers will see what is most relevant to them. It is essential to get the reader’s attention in the first paragraph and to write a clear headline that gives the dominant point of the article.
When writing a news article try to avoid using unnecessary adjectives or exclamation marks. This can make the piece sound unprofessional and sloppy. Often the best way to approach a topic is to research extensively and thoroughly. This may include background reading, interviews and primary sources.
For a straight news report it is important to remain impartial and not express your own opinion of the situation, unless you are writing an editorial. An editorial is more opinionated and is designed to entice the reader into taking a particular position on the issue.
Striking a balance between how much you consume news and how it impacts your mental state is important. If you are overloaded with information it can lead to stress, fatigue and sleep loss which is bad for your health and makes you less likely to be able to think clearly and act effectively.