A news flash interrupts radio or TV broadcasts to give listeners the latest headlines. It can be local, national or international and is a good way to keep listeners informed about events that affect them directly. However, unlike a bulletin, which features developed stories on the topic, news flashes only contain copy and don’t include any analysis. Because of this, it’s important that a newsflash has a strong lead to grab readers and entice them to continue reading.
The lead, sometimes known as a flash or lede, should begin with some sort of narrative hook that quickly draws readers into the story. It should also encapsulate the main subject matter of the article in a creative and intriguing way. Often, this is done by using a brief anecdote that can be quickly digested by listeners. This is especially important if the story has a large amount of information to cover in a short amount of time.
Once you’ve grabbed readers, your lead should flesh out the story and cite any sources necessary. It should follow the inverted pyramid style, introducing the most important details first. It’s also useful to incorporate quotes from experts or witnesses in order to provide credibility and perspective to the story.
A good newsflash ends by tying the introductory story together with a forward-looking sentence that explains how this story will impact listeners in the future. For example, if the story is about a scandal that involves a federal agency director, you can conclude with a statement like “Monday’s complaint adds to an already-lengthy list of ethical violations for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.” This can make the story seem more authoritative and reassure listeners that they haven’t just listened to an opinion piece.