A news flash is a brief, compelling piece of breaking news. It can be about local, national or international issues and is a great way to keep your audience up-to-date on the latest developments in subjects that affect them. News flashes are not the place to offer opinion or analysis, but rather a quick update on facts about a specific topic.
The first paragraph of a newsflash, known as the lead, is your chance to catch readers’ attention and draw them into the story. It should be powerful and enticing, and ideally use a narrative anecdote that simultaneously captures readers’ imagination and entices them to learn more about the subject. The lead should also cite any additional information that needs to be conveyed, and often includes quotes from experts or witnesses in order to add credibility and perspective.
It is important to follow the inverted pyramid style when writing a newsflash, introducing the most important details of the article first and then describing additional information and citing sources as you go along. It is also recommended to use the technique of “show, don’t tell” when writing a newsflash, as it is important to convey a sense of what it was like to be involved in a situation rather than just relaying factual information. Finally, it is always a good idea to end with practical information such as traffic and weather, or something humorous (a kicker) in order to make the article more memorable and enjoyable for your listeners.