Thanks to 24-hour news stations and the Internet, people are exposed to more information than ever. While that might seem like a good thing, it also means that they’re overwhelmed. If your story is full of lengthy tangents and winding sentences, they might stop reading altogether. A news story should be as concise as possible while still giving the important details of an event.
The most important aspect of any news story is its relevance to your readers. It’s a good idea to avoid using jargon or technical descriptions that aren’t familiar to most of your audience. Instead, let your sources speak for themselves and be sure to attribute any quotes or information that you use from another publication.
Straight reporting, or hard news, is a type of news story that presents the facts of a noteworthy event without any editorial bias or opinion. This includes news updates and major events, such as natural disasters or political developments. For these types of stories, it’s important to maintain a third-person perspective and refrain from injecting personal opinions, as well as to research extensively and ensure all the facts are correct. The best news stories conclude with a powerful and memorable statement that invites the reader to engage with the topic.