News articles report current events that have a direct impact on people’s lives. These events can be exciting, frightening or trivial. It is the job of a journalist to present all sides of the story, including the opinion or viewpoint of those involved in the event. News articles may also be used to inform readers of a particular issue or topic and encourage discussion among the general public.
Whether written for a newspaper, magazine or online publication, a good news article should be short and concise. Use a simple lead, like a thesis statement, to introduce the subject and give an overview of what the rest of the article will cover. Be sure to include the basics of what happened, where and when it took place and who was involved. This information will be the foundation of the story.
If a story involves a political or military conflict, interview those who are knowledgeable about the situation and include their comments in the article as quotes. This can help give the reader a sense of the emotions or feelings of those involved and will often be more effective than just reporting on the facts of the event.
Lastly, always be sure to check your facts before submitting your article for publication. It is very easy to make a mistake, especially when writing quickly and under pressure. If possible, have someone else read over your work before submission – another set of eyes can often catch errors that you might have missed.