Unit 1:

NEWS:

Meaning:

News is a report or an account of an event, situation, or development that is of interest to the public. It is usually communicated through newspapers, television, radio, or online media. The purpose of news is to inform, educate, and entertain the public about what is happening around them, both locally and globally.

News can be categorized into various types, such as hard news, soft news, feature stories, investigative reports, and opinion pieces. Hard news typically covers breaking news or events that have a significant impact on people's lives, such as natural disasters, political developments, or major crimes. Soft news, on the other hand, covers more lighthearted topics like lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest stories.

To qualify as news, a story must meet certain criteria known as the "newsworthiness" factors. These factors include:

1. Timeliness: A story must be current and relevant to the public.

2. Proximity: A story that affects people in the local community is more newsworthy than a story that does not.

3. Impact: A story that has a significant impact on people's lives is more newsworthy than a story that does not.

4. Conflict: A story that involves conflict or controversy is more newsworthy than a story that does not.

5. Human Interest: A story that touches on the human experience, such as triumphs, tragedies, or acts of heroism, is more newsworthy than a story that does not.

In addition to these factors, news stories must also be accurate, fair, and objective. Journalists have a responsibility to verify their sources and present information in a clear, concise, and unbiased manner.

In summary, news is a report or an account of an event, situation, or development that is of interest to the public. It is communicated through various media channels and must meet certain newsworthiness factors while being accurate, fair, and objective.

Definition:

News is an information or report about an event, situation, or development that is of interest to the public. The term "news" is derived from the word "new" and is used to describe information that is timely, relevant, and significant. News can be delivered through various mediums such as newspapers, television, radio, or online media.

News is an essential part of our daily lives, as it helps us stay informed about the world around us. It covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, entertainment, sports, science, and technology. News can be categorized into different types, such as hard news, soft news, feature stories, investigative reports, and opinion pieces.

Hard news typically covers current events that have a significant impact on people's lives, such as natural disasters, political developments, or major crimes. Soft news covers more lighthearted topics such as lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest stories. Feature stories are in-depth, longer pieces that focus on a specific topic, while investigative reports aim to uncover hidden truths and expose wrongdoing.

To be considered as news, a story must meet certain criteria known as the "newsworthiness" factors. These factors include timeliness, proximity, impact, conflict, and human interest. Timeliness refers to the recentness of the event, while proximity refers to the geographical location of the event. Impact refers to the significance of the event, while conflict refers to the presence of tension or disagreement. Human interest refers to the story's emotional or personal aspect.

In conclusion, news is an essential part of our lives that helps us stay informed about the world around us. It covers a wide range of topics and is delivered through various mediums. To qualify as news, a story must meet the criteria of newsworthiness, and it should be accurate, fair, and objective.

Elements:

News reporting and writing consist of several key elements that help to make a story newsworthy and engaging. These elements include:

1. Headline: The headline is a brief summary of the story's main point and is intended to grab the reader's attention.

2. Lead: The lead is the opening sentence or paragraph of a news story and should provide a concise summary of the story's most important information. It should answer the "Five Ws and One H" (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) in a clear and compelling way.

3. Body: The body of a news story provides more detail and background information on the story's topic. It should include quotes from sources and facts to support the story's main points.

4. Nut Graph: The nut graph is a paragraph that provides context and summarizes the key points of the story. It helps the reader to understand why the story is important and what its main message is.

5. Quotes: Quotes from sources provide a human element to the story and help to add credibility and depth. They should be attributed to a specific source and should be relevant to the story's topic.

6. Attribution: Attribution is the act of identifying the source of information used in a news story. It is important to attribute information to the correct source to ensure accuracy and credibility.

7. Style: News writing should be clear, concise, and objective. It should avoid biased language and focus on presenting the facts in a straightforward manner.

8. Photos/Graphics: Visual elements such as photos and graphics can help to make a story more engaging and provide additional information.

In conclusion, news reporting and writing require several key elements to create a compelling and informative story. These elements include a headline, lead, body, nut graph, quotes, attribution, style, and photos/graphics. By including these elements, journalists can create news stories that are both accurate and engaging for their readers.

Types & its Sources:

News can be categorized into different types, based on their content and purpose. The most common types of news include:

1. Hard News: Hard news is factual, objective, and focuses on current events that have a significant impact on people's lives. It typically covers topics such as politics, crime, disasters, and economics.

2. Soft News: Soft news is less serious in nature and often covers topics such as lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest stories. It aims to entertain and engage readers and is less focused on delivering objective facts.

3. Feature Stories: Feature stories are in-depth, longer pieces that focus on a specific topic or issue. They aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a particular subject and often include personal anecdotes and human interest stories.

4. Investigative Reports: Investigative reports are news stories that aim to uncover hidden truths and expose wrongdoing. They often require significant research and rely on confidential sources to provide information.

5. Opinion Pieces: Opinion pieces are articles that express a writer's personal views or beliefs on a particular topic. They are often written by columnists or experts in a particular field and aim to provide readers with a different perspective on an issue.

In terms of sources, news can be obtained from a variety of different sources, including:

1. News Agencies: News agencies such as Reuters and Associated Press gather and distribute news stories to media outlets around the world.

2. Newspapers: Newspapers are a traditional source of news and provide coverage of local, national, and international events.

3. Television: Television news programs such as CNN and BBC News provide 24-hour coverage of current events.

4. Radio: Radio news programs such as NPR and BBC World Service provide listeners with up-to-date coverage of local, national, and international events.

5. Online News Sources: Online news sources such as news websites and social media platforms provide instant access to news stories from around the world.

In conclusion, news can be categorized into different types, based on their content and purpose. These include hard news, soft news, feature stories, investigative reports, and opinion pieces. News can also be obtained from a variety of sources, including news agencies, newspapers, television, radio, and online news sources.

News Structure

Elements of Structure:

The structure of a news story is crucial in ensuring that the story is easy to understand and engages the reader from start to finish. A well-structured news story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and should include the following elements:

1. Headline: The headline is the first element of the structure and should be concise and attention-grabbing. It should summarize the main point of the story and entice the reader to keep reading.

2. Lead: The lead is the second element of the structure and is the most important part of the story. It should answer the "Five Ws and One H" (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) and provide a clear and concise summary of the story's most important information.

3. Body: The body of the story provides more detail and background information on the story's topic. It should be well-organized and use paragraphs to break up the text and make it easier to read.

4. Quotes: Quotes from sources add credibility and depth to the story. They should be relevant to the story's topic and be attributed to a specific source.

5. Attribution: Attribution is the act of identifying the source of information used in a news story. It is important to attribute information to the correct source to ensure accuracy and credibility.

6. Nut Graph: The nut graph is a paragraph that provides context and summarizes the key points of the story. It helps the reader to understand why the story is important and what its main message is.

7. Transition: Transitions help to link different parts of the story together and make it easier to follow. They should be clear and concise.

8. Conclusion: The conclusion is the final element of the structure and should summarize the main point of the story. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of the story's message.

In conclusion, a well-structured news story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and should include a headline, lead, body, quotes, attribution, nut graph, transition, and conclusion. By using these elements, journalists can create news stories that are engaging, informative, and easy to understand.

Lead:

The lead, also known as the opening or the introduction, is one of the most important elements of a news story. It is the first paragraph or two of the article and sets the tone for the rest of the story. The lead is meant to grab the reader's attention and draw them into the story, while also providing the most important information about the event or topic being covered.

A well-written lead should answer the five W's and one H: who, what, when, where, why, and how. It should also be clear, concise, and to the point. The lead should provide a summary of the most important information of the story, such as the main event, the people involved, and the impact on the community or society.

There are several types of leads that a journalist can use depending on the story's nature and the intended audience. Here are some common types of leads:

1. Straight News Lead: This type of lead is the most common in news stories. It presents the essential information of the story in a straightforward manner, answering the five W's and one H in the first sentence or two.

Example: "A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck California early this morning, killing two people and causing widespread damage across the region."

2. Anecdotal Lead: This type of lead uses a specific example or anecdote to grab the reader's attention and illustrate the main point of the story.

Example: "As the flames of the forest fire crept closer and closer to his house, John Smith knew he had to act fast. With his family still asleep, he grabbed a hose and started spraying water on the roof, hoping to save their home from the devastating blaze."

3. Descriptive Lead: This type of lead uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the event or topic being covered.

Example: "The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air as hundreds of people crowded into the local bakery, eagerly waiting to taste the famous sourdough bread that had made the small town famous."

4. Quotation Lead: This type of lead uses a quote from a key person involved in the story to provide insight or an opinion on the topic.

Example: " 'I've never seen anything like it in my 20 years on the force,' said Police Chief Smith, as he surveyed the scene of the car crash that had claimed the lives of three people."

In conclusion, the lead is a critical part of a news story that serves to grab the reader's attention and provide essential information about the event or topic being covered. A well-written lead should be clear, concise, and answer the five W's and one H. Journalists can use different types of leads, such as the straight news lead, anecdotal lead, descriptive lead, and quotation lead, to make their stories engaging and informative.

Types of Lead:

The lead or the opening of a news article is crucial to hook the reader's attention and provide a clear understanding of what the story is about. A well-written lead should convey the most important information of the story, while being concise and engaging. There are several types of leads that journalists can use, depending on the nature of the story and the audience they are writing for. Here are some of the most common types of leads used in news writing:

1. Straight Lead: The straight lead is the most common type of lead used in news writing. It presents the essential information of the story in a clear and concise manner. The straight lead should answer the five W's and one H - who, what, when, where, why, and how - in the first sentence or two.

Example: "A new report has revealed that unemployment rates have increased by 2% in the last quarter."

2. Question Lead: The question lead uses a question to engage the reader and entice them to read more. The question should be relevant to the story and should be one that the reader would want an answer to.

Example: "Did you know that 70% of people are unaware of the harmful effects of air pollution?"

3. Anecdotal Lead: The anecdotal lead uses a specific example or anecdote to illustrate the main point of the story. It helps to grab the reader's attention and make the story more relatable.

Example: "When Jane Smith lost her job due to the pandemic, she never thought she would be able to start her own business. However, with hard work and determination, she has now launched a successful online store."

4. Descriptive Lead: The descriptive lead uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the event or topic being covered. It helps to engage the reader's senses and make the story more interesting.

Example: "The sun was shining brightly over the golden sand and crystal-clear water of the beach, as hundreds of families enjoyed the start of the summer holidays."

5. Quotation Lead: The quotation lead uses a quote from a key person involved in the story to provide insight or an opinion on the topic. It helps to add credibility to the story and provide a human perspective.

Example: " 'I am deeply concerned about the impact that this decision will have on our community,' said Mayor Smith, as he addressed the recent budget cuts to public services."

In conclusion, the lead is an essential part of a news story that sets the tone for the rest of the article. Journalists can use different types of leads, such as the straight lead, question lead, anecdotal lead, descriptive lead, and quotation lead, to engage the reader and provide essential information about the event or topic being covered. By choosing the right type of lead, journalists can make their stories more engaging, informative, and memorable.