“News items” typically refer to individual pieces or stories of information that are reported in the news. These can cover a wide range of topics, including current events, politics, sports, entertainment, science, technology, and more. News items are the building blocks of news reporting and are usually concise summaries of events or developments. They are designed to inform the public about what is happening in the world and are often disseminated through various media outlets such as newspapers, television, radio, and online platforms.
News items typically follow a standard format, including key details such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. Journalists and news organizations play a crucial role in researching, verifying, and presenting news items to the public, contributing to the overall understanding of current affairs. The term “news items” is essentially synonymous with news stories or news articles, each providing a snapshot of a specific event or issue.
THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF NEWS ITEMS:
To inform readers, listeners, or viewers about events of the day which are considered important and interesting.
THE TEXT ORGANISATION OF NEWS ITEMS:
- Newsworthy events recount the event in summary form.
- Background events elaborate what happened, to whom, and in what circumstances.
- Sources are comments by participants in, witnesses to, and authorities expert on the event.
TO COMPOSE NEWS ITEM TEXT, YOU WILL NEED THE USE OF:
The past tenses (the simple past, the past continuous, the past perfect)
- We went to the zoo last week.
- She had come earlier before we arrived there.
- They were watching television when the thief entered their house quietly.
- I was very happy and wanted to go there again.
