News is information about current events that are of interest to the reader, listener or viewer. It can be delivered through word of mouth, via printing and postal systems, broadcasting or electronic communication. News is also a topic of study at schools and universities, where students are expected to have up-to-date knowledge of world events.
Some of the key elements in determining what makes news include:
How the story is presented is also important. The headline and opening paragraph, called the lede, should grab attention. Often this is done using a dramatic anecdote or by asking a question the reader wants to answer. The leading sentence should also explain what the rest of the article is about. The nut graph, which is the main point of the article, should answer the questions who, what, when, where and why. It should also include a summary of the significance of the event or the relevance to the audience.
The deciding factors for what happens to make the cut as news may vary from society to society. For example, if dogs are eaten in a particular society then it will not be news when a man bites a dog. In general, though, what is unusual will make news. This could be anything from an earthquake to a celebrity scandal. Entertainment is another factor, with stories concerning sex, showbusiness, sport, lighter human interest and animals being of interest, as well as opportunities for humorous treatment, entertaining photographs or witty headlines.