A breaking news story covers immediate, fast-developing events such as a plane crash or fire. These stories are typically the most urgent to report, but can also be the most confusing to understand and cover. News writers are in constant competition to be first with the latest information, but should strive for accuracy and a clear explanation of what is happening. The key to writing a good breaking news article is knowing your audience and writing the story in a way that will resonate with them.
While many aspects of journalism have subjective elements, such as a biased perspective, news articles should be factual and free of personal opinion. Obtaining the facts of an event may involve interviewing sources, reviewing public documents or researching old articles. The best source of information is often right at the scene, so reporters should attempt to gain as much insight as possible from those directly involved in an event.
The heart of a breaking news story is the nut graph, which is the top section of the story that answers the basic questions of who, what, when, where and why. It should be written in a manner that captures the reader’s attention, such as by using dramatic anecdotes or by providing a vivid description of an event.
A well-written news article should be concise, as readers have a limited amount of time to consume information. Including unnecessary details in a story can slow it down and can cause readers to tune out completely, so it’s important to only include the essential information.