News is information about current events, and is usually reported in a newspaper, magazine or on the television and radio. It can be about politics, sports, crime or disasters. It is important that news articles contain only accurate information and are clearly written. The tone and style of an article should match the newspaper in which it appears, and a works cited page must be included at the end of the story. It is also important that news writers proofread their work to ensure accuracy and consistency in tone and style.
Many different theories exist about what makes news, and most people find it difficult to give a concrete definition of news. However, most people are able to make judgments about whether something is newsworthy based on a gut feeling and the mental schemas they have developed over time. One model, known as the “news-ness” theory, focuses on audience rather than producer definitions of news and stresses degrees of newsworthiness, not categorical determinations.
While the term news may seem simple enough, creating a good news story requires a lot of research and skill. It is important that the newswriter be unbiased and does not include his or her own opinions in the story. In addition, the writer must provide enough detail about each event in order to make a complete picture for readers.
Once the facts are gathered, it is important to arrange them in an order that highlights the most critical information first. This is known as an inverted pyramid, and is a key component of news writing. For example, if a person dies in a fire, the story should begin with that fact and then continue with supporting details. This format allows people who only have time to read a few paragraphs to get the most important information.
After the main facts are arranged, it is important to include any additional information that may be useful or interesting for readers. This includes contact information, quotes from interviews and background information on the subject matter. Including this additional information can help readers connect with the topic on a more emotional level, which is often necessary to engage them as readers.
Finally, the news writer must always attribute his or her sources. This can be done by providing direct quotes or by paraphrasing, and should be reflected in the works cited page at the bottom of the article. It is also essential that the newswriter acknowledge any sources that are not obvious, such as police reports or government documents. This helps to build the credibility of the source, and can avoid accusations of plagiarism or unsourced information. This is especially important for online news sites that do not have the space or budget to print full attributions. In such cases, a link to the original source is usually sufficient. This way, readers can visit the original source to verify the accuracy of the information provided. This practice is also known as sourcing.