News articles are written to provide information, educate and entertain. Most of us rely on newspapers, radio and television to keep up with what is happening in the world around them. News is important to people because it provides them with the knowledge they need to survive. It informs them about things like weather conditions, war, disease, natural disasters, politics and economic trends. It also lets them know what is going on in their own community. News can be serious or funny, but it is always interesting.
A good news article will begin with a catchy headline that concisely and interestingly tells readers what the story is about. Then it will contain a brief background about the story’s topic – why it is relevant, important or interesting. This is called the “nut graph” and it answers the basic questions of who, what, where, when and why. It is usually followed by a series of paragraphs that describe the latest developments in the story. Each of these paragraphs should have a clear title that identifies the major points in the story and then be written in a formal style. It is important to cite the sources of your information if you use it in your article. This will let your reader know where you got the information and give credit to the person or organization that provided it.
It is important to remember that all news articles have a bias. The viewpoints of the reporter and the news outlet determine what is reported and how it is presented. This does not mean that people should not read or watch any news, but it is wise to consider the perspective of the source before accepting a particular view as factual or objective.
While most people do not want to be a journalist, many would like to stay informed about what is happening in the world around them. It is important to assess your needs and find the news outlets that will meet them. It is also a good idea to have a backup plan if your favorite news outlet stops being reliable.
As the number of legitimate and dubious news sources grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate out what is important from what isn’t. A good strategy is to develop a news diet that includes sober, factual reports from well-established sources as well as more dramatic and opinionated stories from lesser-known ones. Then, you will have a framework for sorting through the blizzard of breaking news that comes at you daily. This will help you to make better decisions about which news is worth your time and which is merely sensational. It will also help you to avoid getting caught up in a cycle of frenzied responses to every new development as it happens. This will keep you from getting sucked into the vortex of political and social conflict that often accompanies news reporting. It will also allow you to take a calmer, more measured approach to keeping up with the news in times of crisis.
