Whether you work in journalism or you’re just interested in learning about what makes news, understanding the basics of what news is can help you determine what to write about and how to present it. It also can help you understand what you’re reading when you get your news from the TV, radio or the Internet.

Timeliness

One of the most important elements of a news story is its timeline. It is essential to know exactly when and where the event occurred to properly convey what happened in the article.

Drama

Another element of news that is important to the reader is drama. It is the story’s ability to create an emotional response within the reader that can either motivate them to act or make them want to learn more about the event.

Consequence

The consequences of an event are often the most important part of a news story. It can be a death, an accident or a new rule that affects people in the community. It can also be something that is causing distress, like a flood or the loss of a child.

Proximity

It’s important to remember that news is written for a specific audience, so it should be tailored to meet the needs of that demographic. It might be aimed at a particular group of people in the local area or it might be an article that is national or even international in scope.

Narrative

A good news article will tell a story that is coherent, interesting and engaging to the reader. It should include the main points of the story in a logical order and be concise and to the point.

To ensure that your news articles are easy to read and provide all the necessary details, follow a basic structure called the inverted pyramid. This is the same structure that journalists learn in school, and it aims to grab the reader’s attention right away.