News Item

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

# 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.
Or
– 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 of News Item:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Six U.S. soldiers were killed by a blast north of Baghdad on Monday, the U.S. military said on Tuesday, in one of the single deadliest ground attacks against American forces in Iraq in months.

Three other soldiers were wounded after an explosion went off near their vehicles in the province of Salahaddin, the military said in a statement, without giving details. Salahaddin is a Sunni Arab insurgent stronghold. More than 3,170 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

Iraqi and U.S. forces are in the third week of a security crackdown in Baghdad aimed at stemming sectarian violencE. U.S. military commanders have expressed concerns that insurgents could step up attacks outside Baghdad.

40.The text talks about ….
A. six U.S. soldiers killed by a blast
B. attacking against the soldier
C. a blast north of Baghdad
D. a Sunni Arab insurgent
E. the U.S. military

41.Which of the following statements is NOT mentioned in the text?
A. Insurgents could increase attacks outside Baghdad.
B. Three soldiers were wounded after an explosion went off.
C. The U.S invasion has caused more than 3,170 of its soldiers died.
D. Six, US, soldiers died due to a blast north of Baghdad on Monday.
E. Iraqi and U.S. forces are in the second week of a security crackdown in Baghdad.

42.Iraqi and U.S. forces are in the third week of a security crackdown in Baghdad aimed at stemming sectarian violencE.(Paragraph3). The crackdown word means….
A. line
B. guard
C. attack
D. clean-up
E. protection