News is information about current events that affect people or their environment. It can be reported by a journalist, broadcast on television or radio, posted on a website or written in a newspaper. News stories cover a range of topics, including politics, education, religion, health and crime. News articles often include a quote or statistic that is sourced from an official body, and may also include a photograph. People like to read, watch or listen to the news because it provides them with a sense of what is happening in the world. News stories can be serious or lighthearted, but they must always be accurate.
The word “news” comes from the Latin novem, meaning “new things.” New information about important or exciting events has been around since ancient times. It was delivered through storytelling and oral communication until the fourteenth century, when newspapers began to appear. Newspapers are a way of conveying news to large numbers of people at the same time. In the past, news was printed on paper and distributed in a newspaper or bulletin; now it is mostly transmitted electronically, with the exception of some television and radio news.
Journalists use all of their senses when reporting the news, listening for telling snippets of conversation and dialogue, watching for images and details that bring the story to life, and examining words to find those that evoke an emotion in readers. The right word can make the difference between a dull news story and one that is engaging and memorable. Words that add interest to a story include “intriguing,” “fascinating,” “exciting” and “surprising.”
A news article should be concise, but not so short that important details are missed. It should also be interesting and readable. If a reader feels that a story is too long or boring, they will stop reading it. It is the writer’s job to keep the readers’ attention, which can be difficult in today’s world of 24-hour news channels and social media.
It is important to keep in mind that the goal of news is to inform and educate. Unlike features in a magazine, which are designed to entertain, news is meant to be factual and objective. This does not mean that news cannot contain a level of entertainment, as long as it is done in an appropriate manner and does not interfere with the journalist’s obligation to report the facts. This can be achieved by using a newsworthy subject, putting the subject in an interesting context or by adding an element of humor.
News is not just about current events, but can also include information about the future. It can tell about how people are expected to live, work and play in the future, for example, a new law that will affect employment or a prediction of how bad an earthquake will be. It can also provide advice about how to deal with future crises such as a flood or drought. It can even inform about possible omens such as eclipses or lunar phases.