News is the term used to describe events, activities and information that affect people in society. It can be about political, social or economic issues and is typically conveyed in a timely manner. News is often reported in newspapers, magazines and radio but is now also available on TV and online. People have always been interested in what is happening around them but with the advent of technology, the speed at which information can spread has increased dramatically.

News articles must be written in a way that engages the reader and holds their attention. This is especially important when writing for a website or newspaper where there are many other stories that the reader may be reading at any given moment. When an article starts to drag, readers will often stop reading it. This can have a negative effect on the overall readership of the publication and could cause it to lose its credibility.

In order to be considered newsworthy, an event must be unusual, interesting, significant or about people. However, what is deemed unusual, interesting and significant will vary from one society to another. For example, a farm wall collapsing, killing a cow and a pig will have different levels of significance in different societies depending upon how the animals are viewed and valued.

The majority of news is based on people and the things that they do, say or think. This includes war, government, politics, education, health and the economy. It can also be about sports, fashion, art or entertainment. The death of a celebrity is usually newsworthy, as is an accident or disaster.

Crime and other serious events also make good news. In addition, most people are interested in the lives of famous people. They want to know what they are doing, where they are and how they look. It is also newsworthy when celebrities go through difficult times or are involved in scandals.

Other things that are often reported in the news include money, health and sex. People are interested in stories about rich and poor people, fortunes made and lost, business ventures, school fees and taxes, the budget and compensation claims. They are also interested in stories about the environment, food prices and economic crises.

It is important for a writer to keep their own opinion out of a news story. It is the job of the journalist to gather all the facts and report them without any bias. It is also the responsibility of the journalist to decide which points are most important in a story and what should be emphasised. The journalist should use quotes from sources to provide the reader with extra information. They should ensure that the most important points are placed “above the fold” in a newspaper (ie, on the top half of the page before you have to start scrolling down) and online. This will ensure that the most important information is read first and the reader doesn’t miss anything.