A news flash is a short piece of breaking news that updates listeners on current events. It can be local, national or international and is an effective way to keep your audience informed on the topics that matter most to them. A newsflash is not the place to present opinion or analysis; it should be all about conveying facts.
A good newsflash starts with an attention-grabbing headline that accurately and enticingly sums up the story in a few words. It should also cite any additional details that need to be conveyed and include a forward-looking element that shows the topic will continue to impact people in the future.
After the headline comes the lead, which should use a narrative hook or anecdote to encapsulate the story in a creative way and entice readers to read more. It should then follow the inverted pyramid style, with the most important facts introduced first and followed by supporting information. A nut graph should also be included, which ties the facts together and explains why they matter to your audience.
Finally, your newsflash should end with a reiteration of the most important information and a closing comment to let your audience know what the next steps are. It’s also a good idea to use the “show, don’t tell” technique, where possible. For example, instead of telling the reader that Johnny ran up the hill, show them his legs were aching and he was struggling to catch his breath.