Elements of news with their examples

Here are some common elements of news, along with examples:

1. Headline: A brief summary of the news story, usually in a few words or phrases.

Example: "NASA's Perseverance Rover Lands on Mars"

2. Lead (or Lede): The opening sentence or paragraph of the news story, designed to grab the reader's attention.

Example: "A massive wildfire swept through the town of Paradise, California, destroying thousands of homes and forcing the evacuation of over 50,000 people."

3. Inverted Pyramid: A structure for writing news stories, where the most important information is presented first, followed by less important details.

Example:

• Lead: "A massive wildfire swept through the town of Paradise, California, destroying thousands of homes and forcing the evacuation of over 50,000 people."
• Second paragraph: "The fire, which started on Thursday, has burned over 70,000 acres and is still not fully contained."
• Third paragraph: "Residents are being allowed to return to their homes, but many are still without power or water."

4. Quotes: Direct statements from people involved in the story, often used to add context and human interest.

Example: "We're doing everything we can to contain the fire and keep people safe," said California Governor Gavin Newsom.

5. Statistics: Numbers or data used to illustrate the significance of the story.

Example: "The fire has burned over 70,000 acres, making it one of the largest in California's history."

6. Background: Information that provides context for the story, helping readers understand the significance of the event.

Example: "The town of Paradise has a population of around 27,000 people and is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It has been affected by wildfires before, but this is the worst one yet."

7. Human Interest: Elements that make the story more relatable and engaging, such as personal stories or emotional appeals.

Example: "One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene as 'apocalyptic' and said she was forced to flee her home with only her cat and a few belongings."

8. Action: Information about what is being done or will be done in response to the story.

Example: "The American Red Cross has set up shelters for evacuees and is providing food and water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also been deployed to the area."

9. Follow-up: Information about what will happen next or what is expected to happen in the future.

Example: "The fire is expected to continue burning for several more days, and residents are being warned to stay away from the area until it is fully contained."

10. Visuals: Images, videos, or other visual elements that help to illustrate the story.

Example: A photo of the wildfire, a map showing the affected area, or a video of the evacuation process.

These are just some of the common elements of news, and not all stories will include all of them. However, by incorporating these elements, journalists can create engaging and informative news stories that keep readers informed and interested.