A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts radio or TV programming and updates listeners on current events. The subject matter can be local, national or international and is a great way to keep your audience up-to-date on topics that affect them directly. The main difference between a newsflash and a bulletin is that a bulletin features developed stories, while a newsflash only contains copy (as opposed to headlines).
A well written news flash will begin with a strong and attention-grabbing headline that accurately and enticingly reflects the article’s topic. The lead – sometimes called the flash lede – fleshes out the headline by adding relevant details and citing your sources. This part of the piece is important because it can draw your audience in and prevent them from looking away or tuning out before they hear the entire story. The nut graph is where you tie the facts you introduced in your lead to the bigger picture and explain why they matter to your audience. It’s also important to incorporate quotes from experts or witnesses whenever possible, as this lends credibility and perspective to the piece.
Finally, the climax of the news flash should close with a final paragraph that “zooms out” from the specifics of the article and looks towards the future. This will give your article a sense of closure and re-emphasize the importance of the topic you covered. This can also serve as a hook that will attract your audience to your next story.
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