Writing About Current Events

Current events are news stories that happened recently or are happening right now, like what the president just said or did, a big event in your school or community, something that is making headlines worldwide, or your team’s win. Often, teachers assign students to write articles about current events as a way of teaching writing and research skills.

Start with a reputable news source. This may be your local newspaper, or larger newspapers such as The New York Times or The Washington Post. It should have well-written and researched news stories. You can also check with your teacher for suggestions on where to find good news sources.

When you read the news article, highlight important information. Look for the five Ws and H: what happened, when did it happen, who was involved, where did it take place, and why did it occur? Also consider the impact of this news story, such as what it means for your community, your country, or the world. Also, if you are planning to make an oral presentation instead of a written essay, choose a news article that would be interesting to listeners and speakers.