A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that updates listeners on current events. This can be local, national or international and is a good way to keep the audience informed. A newsflash is not the place to present opinion or analysis; it is simply a way to relay factual information about a topic to the audience.
Like an op-ed or essay, the first paragraph of your newsflash is important; this is your chance to grab readers’ attention and draw them into the story. This is known as the lead and is an excellent opportunity to use a narrative hook or anecdote that simultaneously captures readers’ interest and entices them to learn more about the subject. The first sentence should also mention any additional details that need to be conveyed and cite the source. Similarly, the last sentence should include a forward-looking element that shows how the topic will continue to be relevant in the future.
Newsflashes are usually short — between one and three minutes — so they have to skate over the details; only major stories belong in this type of article. Therefore, it is vital to use the inverted pyramid style when drafting a newsflash; this means conveying the most crucial facts at the top of the story, and then revealing more detailed information as you go along.
It is also important to use the show, don’t tell writing technique; for example, instead of simply saying that Johnny ran up a hill, you can use a visual image to encapsulate the action. For example, you might depict a picture of him with his cheeks red and breathing heavily to evoke the emotional response that the reader needs in order to connect with the topic.
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