1.
Definition
News item is a text which informs
readers about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.
2.
Purpose
The purpose of news item text is to inform readers, listeners, or viewers
about events of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.
Example of News Items Text
“Seven Killed in Accident on Jalan Sultan”
Seven people were killed in a
collision between a bus, a car and a truck at 10:35 p.m. on Jalan Sultan last
night.
The dead were all passengers in the
car. Police believe the car may have been trying to overtake the bus when it
was struck by a truck coming from the opposite direction. The driver of the car
may not have been using his lights, as the truck driver said he didn’t see the
car approaching.
The police said the car should not
have been trying to pass the bus, since overtaking is not allowed on Jalan
Sultan. In addition, the police reported that the car–a small Japanese
car–should not have been carrying more than five people. The names of the
victims are not yet known.
3.
Analysis
a.
The purpose of
the text is to inform about Seven Killed in Accident on Jalan Sultan.
b.
Generic
Structure :
1.
Newsworhty
Events
Seven
people were killed in a collision between a bus, a car and a truck at 10:35
p.m. on Jalan Sultan last night.
2.
Background Event
:
a.
The dead were
all passengers in the car.
b.
The driver of
the car may not have been using his lights.
3.
Sources of Info
The
police said the car should not have been trying to pass the bus, since
overtaking is not allowed on Jalan Sultan.
c.
Characteristics
or Language Features
1.
Using simple
past : was, said, reported, allowed.
2.
Using action
verbs : were, coming, trying, overtake, carrying, approaching.
3.
Using relating
verb : is, were
4.
Using saying
verbs : said, reported.
5.
Using passive
sentences :
The
car may have been trying to overtake the bus when it was struck by a truck
coming from the opposite direction.
6.
Focussing on
circumstances : Traffic accident.
