A news flash is a brief piece of breaking news that updates the audience on current events. It can be local, national or international and is a great way to keep the audience informed on topics that affect them. A good news flash is powerful and engaging, grabbing attention from the start with an enticing headline that accurately and logically reflects the article’s subject. A strong lede is also important, introducing the article in a way that answers all six questions of what, who, where, when, why and how.
A nut graph is another critical component of a good news story, tying the facts you introduced in your headline into a bigger picture that shows why they matter. It can be as simple as a quote from an expert or witness, or as complex as a detailed analysis of the effect of an event on the community.
Finally, a strong news article wraps up with an uplifting, eye-catching paragraph that offers hope, a solution or a call to action. It’s important to finish a piece of writing on a high note, and the final paragraph can be especially powerful if you can tie back into that introductory scene-setting lede – for example, “Monday’s complaint against Zinke is the latest in a string of ethical controversies.” Using this kind of forward-looking language gives your article greater traction, while ensuring that readers are engaged from the start to the end.
About the Author
