Hallo everybody.

In this morning, it’s better for us to study English, because in the morning we will have a good

concentration to learn. It is not good if in the morning we just watch television or use our

mobile phone to open facebook, twitter, or whatsup. Right? But it doesn’t mean that I prohibit

you to watch television or use your mobile phone. If you can use the wisely it is also good for

you.

English material that we will discuss now is news items text. Before I explain it, I want to ask

you, Do you like watching news in television? Do you like reading newspaper? If you like doing

all those things, it means that you are familiar with news item, but what is news item text?

Many students do not know what exactly it is. Although, this text is learned in senior high

school, most of them still get difficulties if they are asked to write news item text.

Before you try to make a news item text, it is better if you know first ‘what is news item text?’.

News item text is a text that relates to the news. There are two kinds of news item text, written

and spoken. News that we read in newspaper is written text form. News that we hear in radio

or television is spoken text form. This text also has the generic structure. Those are

newsworthy event, sources and background events.

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 Items Text

Example of News Items Text about Death of Didi Peter

Didi Petet Died

Veteran actor Didi Widiatmoko, popularly known as Didi Petet, died at the age of 58 at

his residence in Sasak Tinggi, Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Friday morning.

Didi’s niece Muthia Kautsar said that Didi, who starred in a number of comedy and drama films

in the 1980s and 1990s, collapsed and lost consciousness when attending an expo in Milan,

Italy, recently.

“He just arrived home on May 10 after attending the exhibition. In that city, he

collapsed and lost consciousness and returned home in a wheelchair,” she said.

On Tuesday, Didi was taken to Bandung for treatment. Muthia said no diseases were detected

but he died on Friday.

Didi’s body is laid out in his residence on Jl. Bambu Apus in Sasak Tinggi, Ciputat, South

Tangerang. It has yet to be decided when and where he will be buried.

Example of News Items Text about The Biggest Insect was Found

The Biggest Insect was Found

An explorer has found the biggest insect ever on record – so large it can scoff a carrot.

The insect is called a Weta Bug and has a huge wing span of seven inches and weighs as much

as three mice.

An entomologist Mark Moffett, 55, discovered the cricket-like creature up a tree on

New Zealand’s Little Barrier Island. He spent two days searching for the creepy crawly which

were thought to be extinct after Europeans brought rats to the island many years ago.

“This became all the more amazing when we realised that this was the largest insect recorded.”

Mark said.

Funny News Item Example about Cows Crashed a Party

Cows Crashed a Party – Funny News Item Example

BOXFORD, Mass. – Six cows crashed a party in Massachusetts and stole the beer, police

said.

The cows escaped from a nearby farm and headed straight to the graduation party.

One of the attendees called 911. The homeowner told his daughter the revelry had gone too

far. “She came inside and said, ‘Dad there’s a cow outside,’” Kevin Spencer said. “And I says,

‘That’s it. Party’s over.’”

Police said the cows were actually drinking the beer left on the picnic table. “They

enjoyed it. They went right for the beer,” Lt James Riter said. “When one was done they’d

knock another one over and take care of that beer.” Officers steered the cows back to their

farm.