2. NEWS ITEM
Social Function
 It is used to report to the readers, listeners or
viewers about events of the day which are
considered newsworthy or important.

3. GENERIC STRUCTURE: NEWS
ITEM
NEWSWORTHY EVENT(S)
recounts of the event in summary form
BACKGROUND EVENTS
elaborate what happened, to whom, in what
situation/circumstances
SOURCES
original comments by participants, witnesses
to and authorities expert on the event, etc.

4. Information on the use of headlines.
The use of action verb.
(e.g.: hit, attack, and went)
The use of saying verb.
(e.g.: said, added, and claimed)
The use of passive sentence.
(e.g.: Japan was bit by Tsunami in 2011)
The use of adverb in passive sentence.
(e.g.: MSS has got progressively worse)
graphic information
Language Features of News Item

5. The Earthquake in Japan Cause of Tsunami
NEWSWORTHY EVENT
March 11 2011
The people of Japan definitely need our
thoughts and prayers. At 2:46pm local
time, the northeast coast of Japan was
struck by an 8.9 magnitude
earthquake, about 90 miles offshore. The
earthquake resulted in a tsunami causing
waves of more than 12 feet to come
roaring inland.

6. Background/elaboration
A second major earthquake of 7.4 magnitudes
was reported as aftershocks shook the region.
Several buildings in Japan are reported to be on
fire and all transportation systems, including
airports, have been closed in Tokyo.

7. Source of Information
Singer/songwriter Marie Digby is currently
in Japan and has been tweeting about
the devastating disaster. Around 8pm, she
tweeted: ‘oh! woooow!! Big earthquake
in Tokyo!!! And then around 11:30pm she
tweeted: ‘this unbelievable! We are still
shaking’. We`ve been advised to remain
in our building however. We are praying
for everyone in Japan.

8. Newsworthy event March 11 2011
The people of Japan definitely need our thoughts and
prayers. At 2:46pm local time, the northeast coast of Japan
was struck by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake, about 90 miles
offshore. The earthquake resulted in a tsunami causing
waves of more than 12 feet to come roaring inland.
Background/
elaboration
A second major earthquake of 7.4 magnitudes was
reported as aftershocks shook the region. Several
buildings in Japan are reported to be on fire and all
transportation systems, including airports, have been
closed in Tokyo.
Source of information Singer/songwriter Marie Digby is currently in Japan and
has been tweeting about the devastating disaster. Around
8pm, she tweeted: ‘oh! woooow!! Big earthquake in
Tokyo!!! And then around 11:30pm she tweeted: ‘this
unbelievable! We are still shaking’. We`ve been advised to
remain in our building however. We are praying for
everyone in Japan.
GENERIC STRUCTURE