A breaking news story covers events that are happening now, or are developing rapidly. Examples include a plane crash, a fire or a crime. It’s important for journalists to report the news accurately and quickly.
Breaking news articles are different from other types of journalism writing, such as feature or investigative stories. They prioritize delivering verified facts in a concise, structured format that editors can easily trim less essential content from.
When reporting on breaking news, it is important to avoid using jargon or technical terms that readers may not understand. Instead, use plain language and rely on direct quotes to convey your opinions objectively. Sticking to AP style is also beneficial because it’s widely recognized across the journalism industry.
Speculation is never a good idea in a breaking news story, because it follows Murphy’s Law: the one time you assume something is true, it will probably be wrong. Private citizens have the luxury of speculating about news events, but journalists must always be careful to report only what is true.
When writing a breaking news article, you must start with a strong lead sentence. The lede should be one paragraph that tells the reader what happened, where and when it occurred, who was involved and why it’s important. You should also cite the source of your information. This can be done by referencing a statement made in an interview, court documents or through another source such as a government website.
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