News is an interesting and important part of our society. It helps us stay up to date on what is happening around us, including weather forecasts, train schedules and other information. It also has educational values, and can help people learn about new things they can do for themselves or to better their lives.
News Values: The Various Types of Stories
It is generally accepted that news is selected for publication because it is perceived to have a strong impact and incorporate violence and scandal, is familiar and local, and is timely (that is, it takes place within the current period). These criteria are set out in the original study by Galtung and Ruge in 1965, and they remain as relevant today as they were then.
Some of these criteria are not necessarily reflected in the selection decisions of news organisations, although they have been identified as being important in generating and sustaining a high degree of reader engagement. Other factors have been identified as being of particular importance, including:
Topicality: The relevance of the subject to readers and to the wider community, and its sensitivity to public opinion or concern about issues.
Composition: The quality of the way in which a story is presented, and how it is related to other content; the balance between detail and background; and the use of visual media such as photographs, graphics, video and audio.
Worth: The potential value of the story in terms of its potential to influence readers and to engage their attention; and its likely ability to generate shareability on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook or a blog.
Oddity: The nature of the subject of the story is unusual and unexpected, such as an escape from prison or a rescue in a disaster.
Prominence: The presence of a prominent person in an event is considered to be a good news item, because people are keen to know about them.
Currency: The subject of a story is also thought to be valuable because it is thought to attract a high level of interest, and because it is perceived to have a certain economic, commercial or political significance.
Emotion: The emotion involved in the subject of a story is also thought to contribute to its news value.
The emotional reaction to a subject of news is influenced by the news organisation’s values and by the audience’s interests. It is therefore important to think carefully about the news values that will be attached to your story, and to ensure that you include any elements of these in your writing.
It is often necessary to get an outside opinion on your work before it is published. This can come from friends, family members or other professionals. Getting a second pair of eyes on your work will help you identify any inconsistencies and any areas of concern, such as spelling or grammatical errors.
Ultimately, it is up to you to determine the most effective and informative way to convey your message. Using the right methods and techniques will make your writing more effective.