If you’re writing a news update, your aim is to provide the facts of a situation. This type of article is different from a journalistic report because the writer has to be careful not to insert their opinion or bias into the piece. This type of writing is often referred to as “hard” news, and it requires extensive research in order to be accurate. It’s a good idea to have an extra pair of eyes on the article to make sure you’ve covered all of the necessary details.
When creating a news update, the first step is to determine who your audience is. This may be obvious based on the location of the event, but it can also be narrowed down by target demographic. For example, if you’re recapping a local school board meeting, your readership might be parents with young children. On the other hand, if you’re reporting on the city council’s decision regarding zoning laws, your readership might be commercial real estate agents and business owners.
Once you’ve determined your audience, the next step is to compile a list of important facts about the story. This is similar to the process of writing an essay, and should include all of the key details such as what happened, who is involved, and why it’s relevant. If possible, try to get quotes from the sources of the information so that the reader can hear directly from those involved. It’s also a good idea to use a person’s full name on first reference and not just their initials.
