How to Write a Breaking News Article

Breaking news is a term used to describe events that are developing or occurring and need immediate reporting. These events can be anything from a natural disaster to an accident to a major political event. This type of news typically interrupts regular programming and may result in ongoing updates as new information becomes available. Because of its urgency, breaking news often requires journalists to report on events as they happen rather than following a set schedule. This can lead to challenges when trying to verify information quickly and avoid sensationalism.

In journalism, a news article is a short, factual piece that provides readers with the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of an event or development. News articles are written in third person and should remain neutral to reflect objectivity.

When writing a news article, start with the most important details in your lead and build your story from there. Keep in mind that the audience and context of the story should be a factor when choosing how much information to include in your lead. Use active verbs to make your sentences sound lively and interesting. Passive constructions can come off as boring and can leave out important information.

When referencing people in your news article, always use their full first and last names. This helps to establish credibility and prevents confusion over who is being referred to. It is also important to use capital letters when referring to an organization or company, as this will help to establish its authority. Lastly, it is important to include an attribution when using quotes or paraphrasing information from a source. This is a standard element of journalism that allows readers to track the source of the information in case they want more details.