A news flash is a piece of breaking news that interrupts your favorite radio or TV show and updates you on current events. It can be local, national or international and can include a mix of hard and soft news. Unlike a bulletin, it’s not the place to present opinion or analysis; a good newsflash is just a way of relaying factual information about a subject to listeners.
A good newsflash starts with an attention grabbing headline that accurately and enticingly conveys what the article is about. It then follows the inverted pyramid style by introducing the most important facts first and adding more supporting information later, including quotes from experts or witnesses where appropriate. It also cites its sources and finishes with a forward-looking element that shows how the topic might continue to develop at some point in the future.
The lead is the most important part of a news flash as it’s your chance to grab the audience’s attention and draw them in so they keep listening for your full story. This is often achieved through the use of a narrative anecdote that both captures and entices readers to find out more about the subject. This type of lead is known as a scene-setter lede and is often followed by a “nut graph” which ties the key points introduced in the lead together to show their significance and direction.
A newsflash is usually limited to 6 to 10 items so it’s vital that you make the most of each one by ensuring they are presented in a clear, compelling and convincing manner.