News is information about current events. It can be about politics, crime, war, sport, education, the environment or business. News articles can also include interviews and quotes from people. The main reason that people read and watch the news is to find out what is happening in the world around them.

Different societies will have different ideas about what makes good news. For example, one society may not be interested in a story about a bug which is harming their crops, while another will be very concerned. Nevertheless, there are certain elements which all good news stories will have in common. These are called the “newsworthiness” criteria.

Exclusivity: Stories generated by, or available first to, the news organisation, such as interviews, letters, investigations, surveys, polls and so on. Bad news: Stories with particularly negative overtones such as death, injury, defeat or loss (of a job, for example). Conflict: Stories concerning conflict such as controversies, arguments, splits, strikes, fights, insurrections and warfare. Surprise: Stories that have an element of surprise, contrast and/or the unusual about them. Magnitude: Stories that are thought to be significant either in the number of people involved or in their potential impact. Relevance: Stories that are about issues, groups or nations which the audience perceives to be important to them.

While there is still a place for the traditional media, many people now get their news from a variety of sources, including social media. Some people will also use multiple devices to access the news, such as a desktop computer and smartphone.

A good news article will begin with a strong headline which will attract the reader’s attention. Then the article should provide all of the relevant facts about the event. This includes where, when and how it happened, who was involved and why it is newsworthy. It should also contain a clear and concise conclusion which restates the leading statement, or thesis, of the news article.

In addition to providing the necessary details, a good news article should also be written in a style that will be engaging for the reader. This can be done by using a range of writing techniques, such as creating suspense or evoking emotion in the reader. A good news article will also be clearly sourced, with all references included in a works cited page at the end of the article.

Finally, a good news article will encourage the reader to make up their own mind about the topic. This can be achieved by giving them enough information to form an opinion, even if it contradicts the author’s own. In this way, the reader can become a more active and critical consumer of news, making them less likely to be affected by propaganda and spin doctors. This will ultimately lead to a healthier relationship with the news media. It is important that people avoid becoming too saturated with news though, as this can cause stress, anxiety and fatigue which will ultimately affect their ability to function in society.