NEWS ITEM

News item is a factual text which informs the readers about event of the day which are considered newsworthy or important.

     -   Social function: to inform readers, listeners or viewers about event of the day which are considered newsworthy.

-          Generic structure:

1. Newsworthy event(s): recount the event in summary form.

2. Background event(s): elaborate what happened,to whom, in what circumtances.

3. Sources: comments by participants in,witnesses to, and expert on the event.

      -    Significant grammar features:

            * Short, telegraphic information about story captured in headline.

            * Generally using simple past tense.

            * Use of Material Processes to retell the event.

            * Uing action verb, e.g.: were,kill,etc.

            * Using saying verbs, e.g.: Tell,and say.

            * Focus on Circumstances.

            * Use of projecting Verbal Processes in Sources stages.

Ex:

            Malaysian Deputy Health Ministry urged every woman to carry a condom to protect against HIV, a news report said.

“This is not to debate them but to protect them. Women are the first ones to get exploited by their partners (whom are infected by HIV-positive)” Abdul Latiff Ahmad was quoted as saying by Sunday Star Newspaper. “But this just a suggestion, it’s up to them”.

Abdul latiff made remark to coincide with the International Aids Memorial day, which was celebrated openly for the first time in Malaysia, in bid to reduce stigma for HIV-victim. In the past the event was held behind closed door.

            Last year, 745 Malaysian women were identified as HIV-positive and 193 were diagnosed with AIDS, he said in the report. Officials have said nearly 81000 Malaysian have been infected with HIV, less then 10 percent are woman, but the number is steadily rising.

            Malaysian Aids Council president, Adeebah Kamarulzaman, was quoted as saying besides sex workers, many women who contract HIV are housewives, were infected unknowingly by their husbands. “It’s not that people don’t know that condoms can protect them. But there are some men who don’t care to take precaution, even though they know they have HIV” she said.