A news flash is an important piece of timely information that conveys the latest developments in a story. It is short and typically interrupts a radio or television program, such as a weather report or a soap opera. Newsflashes can cover local, national, or international events. Newsflash articles are written for the general public, so they should be informative and unbiased. In addition to presenting facts, a newsflash also provides context and significance for the subject matter.
A well-written newsflash starts with a catchy headline that clearly and accurately describes the article’s content. This is often called the flash or lede, and it is a great place to use a narrative anecdote that brings readers into the piece while indicating the weightier argument and evidence to come. A good lead also uses the “show, don’t tell” writing technique: rather than simply telling readers that Johnny ran up a hill, it is more effective to describe how hard Johnny worked and how he felt after climbing to the top of the steep path.
The next par of the story should explain the topic and why it is important. This can be done by using a nut graph, which adds context and ties the facts introduced in the lead into a bigger picture to show why this issue matters. Finally, a newsflash should include quotes from experts or witnesses to lend credibility and enlighten the reader. It is also helpful to incorporate a forward-looking element into the last paragraph of a newsflash, demonstrating how this subject will continue to have relevance in the future.