A news flash is a short article that reports an event or development. It can be about local, national or international issues and is a great way to inform the public on matters that affect them. Unlike an opinion piece, a news flash does not offer an analysis and therefore is only concerned with passing on the facts about a specific story or event.
A good newsflash will begin with an attention-grabbing headline. This is also known as the flash or lede and is your first chance to grab readers’ attention so that they do not quickly turn away from the article. This is an ideal place to use a narrative hook or an anecdote, which simultaneously captures readers’ attention and entices them to delve deeper into the piece.
The next paragraph, often referred to as the lead, should introduce your topic and establish why it is important for readers. It should include all the relevant facts and be written using the “show, don’t tell” writing technique. This means that instead of just telling the reader that Johnny ran up a hill, you should describe how hard he had to work to reach the top and what his emotions were like once he got there.
The final paragraph, which is also known as the nut graph, should tie the facts you introduced in the lead into a bigger picture and show why this issue matters for your audience. It is also an excellent opportunity to include quotes from experts or witnesses to add credibility and perspective. Follow the inverted pyramid structure when arranging your information to prioritize the most important details and then provide supporting details.