This document defines and provides the generic structure of a news item text. A news item text informs readers about the important events of the day. It typically includes a newsworthy event as the main topic, background details on the event including its location and time, and sources or expert comments on the event. The document also provides an example news item text reporting on a collision that killed seven people on Jalan Sultan, with background on the accident and comments from the police.

1. News Item Text

2. Definition
News Item Text is a text which informs
readers about events of the day.

3. Communicative Purpose
To inform readers about the
important event of the day

4. Language Features
1. Focusing on circumstances
2. Using material process

5. Generic Structure
• Newsworthy event
•Background Event
•Source

6. Newsworthy event/Main Event
Part of text which tells readers about the main
idea or the main topic of the text.

7. Background Event
Part of text which tells readers about the
background of the event. It consists of
the event
’
splace,t
i
me, people, etc.

8. Source
Part of text which tells readers about the
experts’or witnesses’
commentsofthe
event.

9. Seven Killed in Accident on Jalan Sultan
Newsworthy Event
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.
Backgroud Event
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 did not see the car approaching.
Sources
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–asmall Japanese car–should not have been carrying more than
five people. The names of the victims are not yet known.
Example

10. Students’ Task
Write another example of News Item Text.
You may choose the topic based on the news
that you watched on the TV program.