Table of Contents
- What Is a News Story?
- Features of the News Story
- Example of News Story
- Main Functions of News
- How to Write a News Story: Structure & Method
- Types of News Stories
- According to Structure
- Based on Content and Style
1. What Is a News Story?
A news story is a concise report that delivers factual information about current, noteworthy events. Commonly seen in TV, online, and print media, it’s structured to inform readers efficiently, answering key questions like what, where, and when.
Example:
“Thousands of protesters gathered across the US, advocating stricter gun laws following the Texas school shooting last month.”
For a deeper dive into what constitutes a news story, refer to AP Stylebook for examples and guidelines.
2. Features of the News Story
- Reliability: Fact-based and verified.
- Brevity: Concise and direct.
- Relevance: Covers timely, interesting topics.
- Clarity: Simple language for wide accessibility.
- Visual Appeal: Often accompanied by relevant images.
Example: The headline “Global Markets Fall After Rough Week” is short but impactful, giving readers an immediate understanding of the story’s significance.
3. Example of a News Story
News story headline:
“March For Our Lives: Tens of Thousands Rally for Stricter US Gun Laws”
This headline and structure can be found on sites like BBC News, which highlights reliable and concise news writing styles.
4. Main Functions of News
News informs audiences about socially relevant events, providing updates, forecasts, and, at times, recommendations. Its primary aim is to keep people informed, rather than providing exhaustive analyses.
5. How to Write a News Story: Structure & Method
The Inverted Pyramid Structure:
- Prioritizes the most critical information at the beginning, moving to supportive details.
Example:
Headline: “Major Storm Heads for East Coast.” Lead: The lead includes what, when, and where. “A powerful storm is expected to hit the East Coast this weekend, affecting millions.”
News Story Structure:
- Headline: Summarizes the story in under 10 words.
- Lead: Brief introduction with main points.
- Body: Expands on details, including quotes, facts, and context.
- Ending: Optional insights, related stories, or predictions.
For reference, look at The New York Times for examples of effective inverted pyramid structures.
6. Types of News Stories
According to Structure:
- Hard News: Covers urgent and factual topics (e.g., politics, disasters).
- Feature News: Offers a deeper, often human-interest perspective.
- Investigative News: In-depth exploration, often exposing new information.
- Opinion Pieces: Editorial insights, presenting viewpoints or analysis.
Example:
Hard news on BBC or AP News may include a story like “Earthquake Hits Northern California,” while feature news on National Geographic explores human and environmental interest stories.
Based on Content and Style:
- Narrative: Story-like progression.
- Descriptive: Uses vivid details.
- Expository: Detailed explanations.
- Combination: Blends different styles.
Refer to platforms like National Public Radio (NPR) or CNN for an assortment of hard, feature, and investigative news.
References
- AP Stylebook: Essential for formatting and style.
- BBC, CNN, and NPR: Excellent sources for news story structures and examples.
