News is information about current events that affect a wide range of people. Whether it is a natural disaster, a terrorist attack or the death of a famous person, the news is what people want to read and hear about. Writers who produce news content need to know what makes a good story, as well as how to present that information in an interesting manner. This is an important skill for journalists and writers who work with a news agency, but it’s also helpful for those who create their own content pieces, such as bloggers or social media accounts.

When deciding what makes the news, gatekeepers look for events that are significant enough to be front page material or the lead story on a television news program. This is known as hard news and typically involves politics, war, business or crime. However, even something as simple as missing the bus on your way to school and having to walk the rest of the way can be newsworthy if you run into a litter of baby tigers along the way and end up saving their lives.

The other type of news is soft, which is a bit more subjective. Soft news may be a profile of a renowned person or an article about a popular event or development in a company. This information tends to be more recognizable and reaches a wider audience, which makes it easier for a writer to connect with their readers. This is one reason why many writers will choose to write about a renowned celebrity or local event, rather than something that is more mundane.

Whether it’s hard or soft news, the information must be current. If an event happened 10 years ago, it isn’t considered news anymore unless it is being celebrated, such as the anniversary of 9-11-01. If a news program is being sponsored by a grocery store chain, for example, it would be difficult for the sponsor to get its message across if a story about big problems at that location made the news line-up.

News should be based on facts, and it is important to understand the difference between news and opinion. Often times, the difference is subtle, but it is important for writers to be aware of this distinction and avoid making statements that aren’t necessarily factual.

The final aspect of writing a good news piece is knowing the target demographic. Depending on the subject matter, this can be obvious based on location, such as when an article recaps a local school event or discusses zoning laws in a commercial area.

The best way to connect with your readership is by being concise and clear. A reader who is overwhelmed by too much information will quickly tune out your news story. This is why it is important to keep the five Ws (who, what, where, when and why) in mind when composing any news article.