The Importance of News
News articles inform the public of current events and developments. They cover a wide variety of topics, from world and local politics to sports and entertainment. News articles generally have a more objective tone than opinion pieces and strive to present the facts as they are, without bias. They are a form of journalism that relies on a formal style of writing and a strict structure to ensure that the information is accurate, concise, and correct.
The Informed Public
One of the most important functions of news is to keep the public informed about what is going on in their local communities, countries, and internationally. This allows people to make more educated choices in their everyday lives, as well as help them understand complex issues that may be affecting the world around them.
Crime: Any crime can be newsworthy, such as a road traffic accident, house break-in, or robbery, but more serious crimes, such as murder, are often given greater prominence in the media. Money: News stories about large sums of money, such as inheritance, winning lottery tickets, or compensation payouts can be of interest to readers. Health: People are interested in news about medical research, disease, hospitals and clinics, as well as healthy living advice. Sex: News about sex are always of interest to the reader, especially when it involves behaviour which is outside society’s generally accepted norms.
Watchdog: News plays a vital role in exposing corruption and wrongdoing by those in power, such as politicians, police officers, or business owners. This is known as investigative journalism and is an essential part of the democratic process.
Education and Understanding
News also helps to educate and explain a variety of subjects, such as science, politics, economics, culture, and more. This is done through features, expert commentary and analysis, or by providing historical perspectives on a topic.
Adding Interest
A good news article will also try to add interest to the subject matter by including quotes and personal insights from people involved in or affected by the story. This can give a human face to the news, as well as allowing readers to relate on an emotional level.
When citing the source of information, it is important to use the person’s full first name or both initials for ease of reference. This is also the case in captions, to avoid any confusion over which person is being referred to. This is particularly important in news writing, as it prevents the reader from being jarred by a sudden change of person from one paragraph to the next. Similarly, a person’s title should be included in the first reference to ensure that their position and authority is clear. In addition, it is standard practice to write in the third person in news articles, unless there is a compelling reason to use first or second person.