Writing a compelling news story is a great way to draw the attention of readers and get them to engage with your content. People enjoy being informed and educated, and these stories help create discussions and debates that can lead to further investigation, action and progress. However, with thousands of news stories being published each day, it takes a special kind of story to stand out. Here are five tips on how to write a compelling news story that will leave readers wanting more.
Know the facts
Before you even begin writing a news story, you must have a full understanding of the facts. This means doing your own research, checking reliable sources and asking questions of anyone involved. When you know the facts, it’s easier to write an accurate story. As a news writer, you are responsible for reporting the truth and getting your facts straight.
When you have all the facts, it’s time to start writing. Make sure to keep your facts in order and provide details where necessary. You should also consider the angle from which you’re writing the story. Is it a human-interest story, an investigative piece or a breaking news story? Your angle should always be clear and concise.
Always remember to keep your story interesting and engaging. Use quotes from those involved to add depth and character to your story. Keep your language simple and easy to understand. Above all, make sure you’re telling the story in an accurate and unbiased way.
Double-check your sources
As a journalist, it is your job to make sure that all your information is accurate and sourced properly. In order to do this, it’s important to double-check your sources and make sure that they are reliable and reputable.
This might mean taking the time to reach out to the source and confirm their identity or making sure that the facts they provide are corroborated by a second source.
In addition to double-checking sources, make sure that you’re not using outdated or outdated sources. The news cycle changes quickly, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information.
It is also essential to make sure that you’re not inadvertently spreading false or misleading information. This can have serious implications, so it’s important to make sure you’re only reporting on verified facts.
Use quotes to back up your claims
Quotes are one of the most powerful tools in a journalist’s arsenal. They can be used to add credibility to a story, to provide an interesting angle, or to add drama and tension. When writing a news story, make sure to include quotes from sources that can back up your claims.
Quotes can be from experts, people affected by the news, or even from the reporter. Make sure to get permission from the source before using their quote in your story, and always attribute the quote to the source.
Quotes can also be used to allow a reader to get a better understanding of the story. By including quotes from people involved in the story, a reader can gain a personal connection to the news. This can help to make the story more compelling and engaging.
Make sure your story is up to date
When writing news stories, it’s important to ensure that the information you’re presenting is up to date. It’s best to investigate the subject matter yourself and use reliable external sources to back up your claims.
For example, if you’re writing a news story about a recent political decision, make sure you have the facts straight and that you aren’t relying on outdated information.
It’s also best to include quotes and links to sources that you’re using in your story. This will help add credibility and provide readers with more information to back up your claims.
Finally, be sure to double-check any facts, dates, or quotes that you’ve included in your story before publishing it. This will help ensure that your story is accurate and up to date.
Create a compelling headline
Headlines are the first thing readers see and the most important. A good headline should quickly grab the reader’s attention, accurately reflect the content of the article, and include keywords for search engine optimization.
Make sure to avoid clickbait headlines, which are deceptive and may lead to a high bounce rate.
Write an engaging first paragraph.
The opening sentence of the article should also be engaging and capture the reader’s attention. Use active verbs to create interesting and vivid descriptions that draw readers in and make them want to read more.
Use quotes and anecdotes.
Quotes and anecdotes are a great way to add a personal touch to your news story. They can provide insight into the topic, add emotion, and make the story more compelling.
Include relevant visuals.
Including visuals in your news article can help to break up the text and make it more engaging. Photos, graphics, and videos can help to illustrate the story, making it easier for readers to understand.
Use keywords that draw attention
When writing news stories, it’s essential to use keywords that draw attention. You want readers to be able to find your story quickly and easily.
The right keywords can help you target the right audience and make sure your story is seen by the right people.
You should also think about using the most popular keywords related to your topic. This will help you get more organic traffic to your story.
You might also consider using long-tail keywords, which are more specific and can help you target a more niche audience.
Finally, you should consider using keywords that are trending or that are related to current events. This will help your story stand out and draw more attention.
Utilize the power of numbers
The power of numbers is often underestimated when it comes to news stories. By using numbers, you can grab the reader’s attention and make your article more interesting.
For example, if you’re writing about a local event that has seen an increase in attendance, then you could say “200 more people attended this year’s event than last year”. This is much more interesting than saying “there was an increase in attendance”.
Likewise, you could also include data from surveys or polls to back up your story. For example, if you’re writing about a new product launch, you could say “according to a survey, 87% of respondents said they would buy the product”. This adds another layer of credibility to your story.
Make sure your headline is accurate
Headlines are the most crucial aspect of writing compelling news stories. Headlines are the first thing readers see, and if they’re inaccurate or misleading, your story won’t get the attention it deserves.
When writing headlines, make sure they accurately reflect the content of your story, and avoid hyperbole or sensationalism. Make sure the headline is concise and to-the-point, as well as interesting and unique.
Be sure to also use appropriate keywords in your headline to ensure that your story is found in searches. Additionally, using numbers in headlines can also make them more attention-grabbing.
Introduce readers to the story
The introduction of your news story should provide the key information about the topic, such as the who, what, when, where, why, and how. This information should be presented in an interesting and engaging way that grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to keep reading.
Include all the essential facts, like the date of the event and the names of any people or organizations involved. Keep the introduction short and to the point, as readers will be more likely to keep reading if you don’t bog them down with too much information.
In order to make the introduction interesting and engaging, you can include a quote from someone involved in the story, or an interesting fact or statistic. This will make your story stand out and make it more memorable to readers.
Create a hook
Every story needs a hook. This is the first sentence of your article, which will draw the reader in and make them want to read the entire story. It should be catchy and creative, as it will set the tone for the rest of your article. Ask yourself: What makes this story newsworthy? What will make readers want to learn more?
Include a quote: After you’ve established the why and the what in your hook, the next step is to include a quote. This will give readers a personal perspective on the story, and give it an emotional edge. Make sure to include a quote from an expert, or someone directly involved in the story.
Provide the facts: After you’ve established the why and the what in your hook, and included a personal perspective in the quote, the next step is to provide the facts. This should include the details of the story, and should be as unbiased as possible. Make sure to include all the relevant information, and don’t leave out any important details.
Close with a summary: The closing paragraph should be a summary of the story. This should include the most important facts from the article, and provide a conclusion to the story. Make sure to provide a sense of closure, while leaving the reader with something to think about.
Write an engaging lead
An engaging lead is one of the most important elements of any news story. It’s the first thing your reader will read, so it should be attention-grabbing and relevant to the story. The lead should sum up the story in a few sentences, and it should be written in an active voice.
When crafting the lead, ask yourself these questions: Who is involved in the story? What happened? What’s the impact of the story? Answering these questions will help you write an effective lead.
You should also avoid using jargon and cliches, as they tend to bore readers. Instead, use vivid language to draw your readers in and make them want to read more. This will make your news story more compelling.
Use active voice
Using active voice is an essential part of writing compelling news stories. Active voice is when the subject of the sentence is doing the action. It is more direct and easier to read than passive voice, which puts the object of the sentence first.
Active voice can make your stories more engaging and helps create a narrative that readers can connect with. It also helps keep your sentences short, making them easier to read and understand.
For example, a sentence written in passive voice would read, “The ball was thrown by the boy.”
When rewritten in active voice, it reads, “The boy threw the ball.”
Using active voice in your news stories can help keep your readers engaged and make your stories more interesting.
Structure your story
When you’re writing a news story, the structure of your story is key. It’s important to make sure that your story is topical, relevant and engaging from the very beginning.
Start by introducing the topic with a strong lead. Give your readers the context they need to understand the story and make sure that the most important information is in the first paragraph.
After the introduction, move on to the body of the story. This is where you’ll provide the details that back up your lead. Stick to the facts and use the inverted pyramid method to make sure the most important information is at the top of the story.
Finally, conclude your story with a summary of your main points. Make sure to tie everything together and give your readers a satisfying ending.
Outline the key points
When writing a news story, it’s important to consider the key points that you want to communicate to the reader. Outlining your story and its main points will help you structure your story in a way that’s clear and concise.
You also want to make sure that your story contains all the relevant information that’s necessary to give the reader a clear understanding of the story. This could include facts and figures, quotes from relevant sources, and other information that helps to support the story.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure that your story follows a logical flow and sequence. This means that all the facts and information that you include should be presented in a way that’s easy for the reader to follow and understand.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure to include a conclusion that wraps up the story in a way that’s clear and concise. This should also include a call to action or next step for the reader to take if they’re interested in learning more.
Use the inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid is a traditional news writing style that starts with the most important information and works its way down.
This means you should start your news story with the most essential information and then add more details further down the article.
The inverted pyramid is an effective way to communicate complex information quickly and efficiently.
This style also allows you to quickly get to the point, and it’s especially useful for news stories that will be shared on social media.
When writing news stories, make sure to start with the most important information and then provide more details further down the article. This will help you communicate the information effectively and quickly.
Try to be concise
When writing a news story, it is important to be concise and straight to the point. By being too wordy or using flowery language, you could lose the reader’s attention and it may be harder for them to understand the story.
You should also try to avoid using jargon or technical language, as this can be confusing for readers. Instead, use simple and clear language that can be easily understood by the general public.
Additionally, be sure to stick to the facts and avoid speculation. Stick to the five W’s and one H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to ensure that you’re providing all the relevant information to the reader.
Summing up
When writing news stories, it’s important to remember to write with objectivity, provide context, tell stories, use compelling visuals, and employ strong headlines.
By following these tips, you can create compelling news stories that will engage readers and help you stand out from the competition.
Finally, keep in mind that writing a great news story takes practice and patience. Be sure to take the time to hone your craft and remember that practice makes perfect. With enough practice, you’ll be able to write news stories that will get the attention of readers and help you become a successful journalist.
