News stories influence many individuals, especially when it is a national event. In comparison, local news stories have a huge impact on the surrounding community. Local news gives people a chance to better understand events that are taking place and things that can affect their every day life. To write a good news story it has to fit certain guidelines. And for the news story to be successful one must write about an event that is recent, must affect numerous individuals and it must be interesting. The story needs to grab the reader’s attention. Another very important point of writing a news story is the writer leaving out his or her own bias or opinions on the subject. The writer needs to balance the story so that they explore all sides of the story. That includes using interviews, observations and related documents. When you use interviews you get various perspectives, which will result in a deeper understanding and will in turn reach a larger audience. Observing the details of an event will give the story life and the readers will be able to relate to it. Documents are a useful tool that will give you facts which will enforce the story. Using a quantity of different sources help the writer balance the story and gives the reader a broader perspective, plus more information so that they can form an educated opinion of their own. The way that I see it, is that you have to get the point across and then back up that point with credible sources and information. Always answer the questions “what?” and “why?” Choose the angle that you want to pursue and run with it.
Kelli
I’m glad you looked at newsworthiness as an important aspect. 20 points.
Your next blog prompt:
The second paper you’ll be writing this semester is an editorial. This means that you need to not only figure out a topic that interests you and has an argumentative bent, but you also need to get informed on the topic. By next Tuesday, February 27th, write a blog entry that presents two “hot” topics that are going on in our school, in our community, or in the area. Present each topic and then give a 3-4 sentence description of the arguments behind it.
Note: You don’t necessarily have to write your editorial paper on one of these topics. Keep in mind that not only will I be reading these, but your classmates may be reading them as well.
