MAKING IT WORK
Inverted Pyramid
Elements of
news story
We have talked about how the typical journalistic lead
starts. We learned to call that opening paragraph a
“summary” lead, though another name for it is “direct
lead.” Regardless, both mean the same thing, but where
does the story go from there?!
!
If we’re writing to a formula -- and we are at this point in
the class -- what follows is elaboration on that first
paragraph. We flush out more specifics, taking the reader
deeper into the story you’re trying to tell.!
Keep in mind that no lead
should have every
element of the 5 W’s and
the H, because if the lead
does, you’ll be pushing
that paragraph far beyond
the 25-to-30 word limit. So
the best course -- and the
right course -- is to save
news elements for the
second and third
paragraphs.!
!
Now, we’re starting to see
structure take shape. And,
not surprisingly, there’s a
name for that structure. It’s
called the “inverted pyramid,” the most common story
structure for hard-news stories and breaking stories: police
chase, a major fire, a late-night robbery, etc. !
!
The “inverted pyramid” has its utility, and the structure is
priceless for online journalism, where readers have
unlimited options and more control over their story
selection. They tend to browse, so hooking them with the
main point right away is what you see on the web. The
inverted pyramid lets the online reader determine
immediately whether he’s interested in more on that story
or not.!
!
Regardless of which journalistic platform you write for, one
thing stays constant: The reader wants stories that are
written well. Despite being a formula, the inverted pyramid
doesn’t limit a writer’s ability in that sense. So as you
explore this story structure in-depth, store this checklist in
your mind and follow it:!
!
Leads!
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One declarative sentence!
25-30 words maximum!
Present the most important information in the story
and provide specific facts!
THE NUTS AND BOLTS
WRITING PHILOSOPHY
“One-sentence paragraphs writing
is a common but unattractive
convention in journalism. Such
writing lacks basic organization -the grouping of information into the
coherent and meaningful block of
the paragraph. The style that results
is less a style than a barrage of
staccato, seemingly disparate, often
transitionless facts. Every sentence
has the same weight. No sentence
seems either superior or
subordinate. The work lacks
dramatic pace and rhythm.”
!
-- Paula LaRocque!
Writing coach/Dallas Morning News
!
!
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Don’t overload with too many of the 5 W’s and the H!
Second paragraph!
Develop or expand on theme from the summary lead !
Resist temptation to build the story around a chronology!
Attribution!
Attribute all major information. Exception would be the information is
commonly known or information strongly implies its source!
Don’t dump a string of direct quotations on the reader.!
Direct quotations should be no more than two sentences long.!
Punctuate direct quotes and their attribution should properly. Example:
“Kwame did not go with her,” the attorney said.!
Puts elements of a direct quotation in the proper sequence: direct quote,
speaker, verb.!
AP style
Style is not optional. Be mindful of AP style in ever story you write. Double-check
numbers, dates, locations, titles, etc.!
Check the following!
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Pronoun-antecedent agreement!
It, its, it’s!
“it is . . . ,” “there is . . . ,” “there are . . .” structures; avoid these. They are
passive and vague.!
Use past tense, not present, in inverted-pyramid structures.!
Avoid comma splices or run-on sentences, such as
He picked up the ball, he ran down the field.
Sally does not know where he is he is not here.
These are grammatically incorrect.!
Plurals -- don’t make them by using an “apostrophe s.”!
Short paragraphs -- Any paragraph with more than three sentences is
definitely in an inverted-pyramid structure.!
Wordiness -- Eliminate needless words. Check for too much verbiage,
redundancies, needless repetitions, etc.!
Name, title -- When you put the title before a name, do not separate them
with commas, such as
(WRONG): Stadium director, Jim Folks, hired a new assistant.
When the name comes before the title, the title should be set off by commas.
(RIGHT) Jim Folks, stadium director, hired a new assistant.!
Transitions -- Tie your paragraphs together. That’s what transitions are
designed to do. Don’t jump from one subject to another in a new paragraph without
giving the reader some warning.!
Don’t copy the wording of the information sheet.!
Names -- Nothing destroys a writer’s reputation faster than to get names wrong
all the time. Remember, journalism is the accuracy business, so make sure you
have your facts straight!!