News Item Part 1

Definition of News Item

News item is a text which informs readers about events of the day. The events are considered newsworthy or important. It means if there is an important event that should be known by many people, then this event deserves news. Well, the news text is called the news item text. However, if there are events that people do not deserve, then they are not definitely worth to be news.

Generic Structure of News Item

There are three important things in news item text:

# Main Events / Newsworthy event(s): it recounts the event in summary form.
# Elaboration / Background event(s): they elaborate what happened, to whom, in what circumstance
# Resource of Information (Source) : it contains comments by participants in, witnesses to and authorities expert on the event

Purpose of News Item

News Item Text is used to inform readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.
– To inform the readers about newsworthy or important events of the day
– To present information the readers about newsworthy or important events of the day

Language Feature of News Item

– Focusing on circumstances (using a simple language in writing the text)
– Using saying verbs: “….”, She said, informed, told, reported.
– Sometimes at the beginning of news, the scene is mentioned : Jakarta – … .. / Kuala Lumpur – …
– Using Past tense in explaining news events. But if it is a fact that until now still happen or still in the form of fact, then can use simple present tense.
– Short, telegraphic information about story captured in headline
– Using adverbs: time, place and manner.
– Uses of material processes to retell the event

Example :

George Clooney to direct and star in ‘Good Morning, Midnight’ for Netflix

George Clooney has signed on to direct and star in “Good Morning, Midnight” for Netflix. It will be his first project with the streaming service.

Clooney and Smokehouse Pictures’ Grant Heslov will produce the adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s novel, “which follows a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to make contact with the crew of a spacecraft as they try to return home to Earth,” according to a description from Netflix.

“Grant and I couldn’t be more excited to be involved with this incredible project,” Clooney told Variety. “Mark is a writer we’ve long admired and his script is haunting. We’re thrilled to be working with our friends at Netflix as well.”

The story is a sci-fi thriller, and was named one of the best books of 2017 by the Chicago Review of Books. Clooney will play the lead scientist. Scott Stuber, head of Netflix’s film division, said: “Having known and worked with George for over two decades, I can’t think of anyone better to bring this amazing story to life. The book is powerful and moving, and Mark’s adaptation is beautifully written. At its core, this is a story about human nature, and one that I know our global audiences will fall in love with, just like I did when I read it.”

Clooney recently executive produced, appeared in, and directed a few episodes of Hulu’s “Catch-22.” The film, which does not yet have a title, will begin production in October.

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