How to Write Top Stories

Top stories are timely accounts of a significant or interesting event, development, or controversy. They are usually written in first person or third person, depending on the situation. When writing an article about a person, it’s important to use that person’s full first name or initials on the first reference; using only a first initial can confuse readers. Newsworthiness is often determined by a balance of six values: impact, interest, conflict, timing, and relevance. A great story begins with a strong lead that explains the who, what, when, where, and why of the topic. Follow the inverted pyramid structure by presenting the most important information up front and then adding more details later.