News is information about events, activities or situations that have happened recently or are occurring now. It could be a story about a local tragedy or something that affects the world at large. In the past, people consumed news via radio, newspapers or television but today it can be found on the internet as well. People are more informed than ever before but it can also be overwhelming with the amount of information that is available to them. This is why it is important to be able to separate the fact from opinion in order to understand what is really happening and what is being reported on.

News can be broken down into three distinct categories: Hard News, Soft News and Features. Hard news is essentially straight reporting that presents the facts of an event without any personal bias. This type of news usually includes quotes from a source that are on the record and/or attributed to their affiliations. For example, a reporter might interview a firefighter or someone who owned the house that was on fire to get their take on the situation. Soft News takes a different approach to reporting and tends to lean more towards the opinion piece. This type of news may include commentary or analysis from experts in the field as well as quotes from anonymous sources.

Feature articles take a closer look at a specific subject and research it extensively. This is more like a book report than a newspaper article as it generally goes into greater depth regarding the topic. For example, a journalist might investigate why a local community is so invested in their high school football team or how a new policy will affect families with children.

Soft News is the most subjective form of news and can be influenced by opinions from various sources. It is important to keep in mind that when writing a news article, it is your job to inform and educate your readers. This can be done in a way that entertains as well if the topic lends itself to it, such as with music and drama programs on radio or crossword puzzles in a newspaper. However, the primary purpose of news is to educate and not to entertain.

The classic rule of thumb is that “Dog bites man” is not news but “Man bites dog” is. This is a general rule but there are exceptions to every rule. In some societies, dogs are eaten and so it would not be newsworthy if a man bit a dog. However, in a society where dogs are not used for food, this would be newsworthy.

Once you have the information you need, it is time to start putting your news article together. Outline your information following the upside-down pyramid structure and cite your sources as needed. This will help your readership stay aware of where your opinions are coming from and avoid any confusion. In addition, keep your writing concise. Long tangents and winding sentences can distract your reader and cause them to lose interest in your article.