News is a form of information or entertainment that informs and educates its readers, listeners or viewers. It can also entertain by providing humour or a dramatic anecdote that appeals to the senses. News is often based on fact, although opinion can be included as well.

There are many types of news, including current events, sports, weather, business and politics. Some are more serious than others, but all should be accurate and unbiased. News writers should always check facts before publishing, and avoid slanting or misrepresenting the information they report.

A good news article begins with a catchy headline that summarizes the topic of the story. It should include a date and the key details of the event that made it newsworthy. The headline should also include the writer’s byline. The byline should follow Associated Press style guidelines, unless otherwise specified by the publication.

The next paragraph in a news story should provide the inverted pyramid of information, answering the five Ws: who, what, where, when and why. This will help readers understand the bigger picture of the event, which will allow them to better assess its significance. This paragraph is also known as the lede, and it sets the tone for the rest of the article.

If the event you are writing about is developing, be sure to use primary sources – those who have direct knowledge of the situation. These sources will typically be able to answer the five Ws, and you will be able to include their quotes in your story.

When you are writing a news story, keep in mind that it should be written in the third person. This helps create an objective tone and prevents the author from influencing the story with their own biases. It’s also important to avoid using first or second person, as this can confuse the reader. If you do want to use first or second person, be consistent and don’t jar the reader with abrupt switches.

When deciding which stories to share on social media, make sure they’re legitimate. If the article seems too sensational or if it comes from an outlet that leans to the right or left of the media bias chart, don’t share it. Also, try to limit the number of times you share news articles that evoke an emotional response – it can lead to more clicks but less understanding.