News is a story about a recent, interesting and significant event or development. Traditionally, it has been transmitted through written communication channels – newspapers, radio and television – but today, new information is also transported via mobile devices, the internet and other electronic means.
When writing a news article, it is important to consider who you are targeting and their interests. What will catch their attention and make them want to read on? This is particularly important when writing for a general audience, as the type of news you select will likely differ between different groups of people.
The timing of news is another important factor. What happened yesterday or even last week is unlikely to be relevant in the current news cycle, but something that is fresh and current will be of interest to your readers. People are also more interested in stories that have an element of strangeness, as this piques their curiosity and makes them want to find out more about the news item.
Controversy also creates interest in news, especially if it involves charges and countercharges, arguments and tension. Famous persons, places and activities also generate interest, as people are keen to know what is happening with them. However, it is important to remember that the main job of news is to inform and educate, not to entertain – entertainment is best left to other forms of media like music or drama on the radio, cartoons in newspapers or crosswords.