How to Write Newsworthy Content
News is any item of information that has been deemed important enough to be broadcast on television, printed in a newspaper or posted on the internet. News could be about anything from an earthquake in Mexico to a political scandal in Washington to a new invention or discovery that is going to benefit the world. The word “news” is derived from the Latin word for “new,” and it has been around since the fourteenth century.
The first step in writing a news article is to decide what the story will be about. This is often determined by the demographic you are trying to reach and should be based on current events or popular interests. Then, research the topic thoroughly to gather facts that will be compiled into the article. It is a good idea to write down everything that you know about the topic, including opinions and facts from experts in the field. Once you have a list of basic facts, begin to create an outline for the article. This outline will include the main points that the article is going to address.
Next, brainstorm a snappy headline that will concisely inform readers of the news item while also seizing their interest. This is the first thing that will determine whether a reader will continue to read the entire article or move on to another story. A good headline should be short and to the point, and it should follow Associated Press guidelines unless your publication specifies otherwise. Many times, other staff members will write the headlines for a particular news story, so it is important to think of a catchy title that will be appealing to your audience.
Once you have the main points of your article written out, it is a good idea to add any other additional facts that may be of interest to your audience. This can be a list of contact information, quotes from interviews with people involved in the story, or any other relevant facts that you have come across during your research. This will help your news article stand out from the rest and make it more comprehensive.
It is also important to remember that all news is biased to some extent. Everyone has both conscious and unconscious biases that can influence the types of stories they will cover or how they will present them. This is why it is so important to be aware of what news you consume and where it comes from.
Generally speaking, the most reliable news sources are established publications such as newspapers, magazines and radio stations. Websites such as CNN, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal are also considered reliable for world news. However, social media is rapidly changing the way that people obtain their news and information. Additionally, state-owned television networks such as China Central Television and Russia Today are gaining popularity for their global coverage and broad appeal.