Difference between soft and hard news in news writing
In news writing, the terms "soft news" and "hard news" refer to the type of news story and its tone, style, and content. The main difference between the two is the level of seriousness, complexity, and impact of the story.
Hard News:
Hard news refers to factual, objective, and timely reports on significant events, issues, or crises that have a direct impact on people's lives. Hard news stories typically:
- Report on breaking news, such as natural disasters, accidents, or political crises.
- Focus on the who, what, when, where, and why of a story.
- Are written in a straightforward, concise, and objective style.
- Often require in-depth research and analysis.
- Typically have a serious and somber tone.
Examples of hard news stories:
- A plane crashes, killing dozens of people.
- A major company announces layoffs due to financial struggles.
- A natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, strikes a region.
Soft News:
Soft news, on the other hand, refers to more lighthearted, human-interest stories that focus on people, their experiences, and their emotions. Soft news stories typically:
- Report on trends, lifestyles, or cultural phenomena.
- Focus on the human side of a story, such as personal struggles, triumphs, or achievements.
- Are written in a more conversational and engaging style.
- May include opinions, perspectives, and quotes from individuals involved.
- Typically have a more relaxed and entertaining tone.
Examples of soft news stories:
- A profile on a local artist or musician.
- A feature on a new restaurant or food trend.
- A human-interest story about a person overcoming a challenge or achieving a goal.
Key differences:
- Tone: Hard news is serious and objective, while soft news is more lighthearted and engaging.
- Content: Hard news focuses on facts and events, while soft news focuses on people and their experiences.
- Style: Hard news is written in a straightforward and concise style, while soft news is written in a more conversational and engaging style.
- Impact: Hard news typically has a greater impact on people's lives, while soft news is more entertainment-focused.
In summary, hard news is about reporting on significant events and issues, while soft news is about telling human-interest stories that engage and entertain readers. Both types of news are important and valuable in their own ways, and a good news organization should strive to balance both in their reporting.