What is the nut graf?

1. Le Nut Graf
Lifesaver for the Team of You

2. Advantages of the nut graf
• Does the heavy lifting for you
can use it to explain the newspeg
can use it show impact
• “Dechunks” the lede graf
can be used to shorten and strengthen
clears out the top to make it more visually appealing
• Serves as a reminder and outline to the writer
• Can “delay” the lede a little, giving you some room
for creativity

3. Guidelines
• Sometimes, the nut graf and the lede are one
and the same
breaking news stories, such as cops,will
often be structured this way, when news
trumps context
• Should always be in the top 10 percent of a
story

4. Straight news w/ nut graf
• A Chinese technology company has
expressed interest in buying a maker of
computer disk drives in the United
States, raising concerns among American
government officials about the risks to
national security in transferring high
technology to China.
• The overture, which was disclosed by the
chief executive of one of the two
remaining drive makers in the United
States, William D. Watkins of Seagate
Technology, has resurrected the issues of
economic competitiveness and national
security raised three years ago when
Lenovo, a Chinese computer
maker, bought I.B.M.’s personal computer
business.
• Tensions have been increasing lately
between the countries over China’s
ambitions in developing its military
abilities and advanced technologies for
industrial and consumer uses.
Lede
 Nut graf

5. 'Skins' creator vows no changes to the
racy MTV teen drama
Despite accusations of violating child pornography laws and shedding a slate
of big-name advertisers, the creator of MTV's new prime-time teen drama
"Skins" has no plans to change or edit its content, he said in his first media
interview since the controversy erupted last week.
Bryan Elsley, creator of both MTV's "Skins" and the British series on which it's
based, said he doesn't foresee altering the hour-long program to quell
protests about its frank and gritty depictions of teenage sex and drug use.
By sticking to the original storylines, Elsley said he is not deliberately trying
to be "confrontational," but merely wants to maintain the show's
authenticity.
Even before the premiere last week, the Parents Television Council was
attacking "Skins" as "the most dangerous show for children we have ever
seen." And less than a week into its run, "Skins" lost many of its
advertisers, including Taco Bell, GM, Wrigley, H&R Block, Schick and
Subway, as the PTC, a conservative watchdog group, was urging the federal
government to investigate the program.

6. Obama's clean-energy goals have
industry questioning feasibility
President Obama has grand plans for a green nation — 1 million electric
vehicles on the road within four years and clean power sources providing
80% of the nation's energy by 2035.
But a day after getting a surprisingly extensive shout-out in Obama's State of
the Union address — he sees clean tech as the country's best chance to
seize its "Sputnik moment" — industry officials were less than enthused
and questioned whether the ambitious targets were even attainable.
"It's a lofty goal, but it's like the race to the moon in that it's generally
achievable," said John Cheney, chief executive of solar project developer
Silverado Power. "The issue is whether we have the political will and ability
to pull together and actually do it."
The guarded reaction to Obama's speech comes as many clean-tech
companies are struggling to recover from the recession and at the same
time are facing aggressive competition from China. Many fear Obama's
long range objectives will be distracting and take the focus off
crucial, short-term projects.

7. Barrage of rain, snow, sleet snarls
traffic and cuts power across D.C.
areaWith rumbles of thunder more common to a summer
squall, winter descended in force on the Washington region
late Wednesday, icing the area down before switching to
snow, slowing rush hour to a tire-spinning crawl and turning
out the lights for thousands as power lines snapped.
Just when the region would get moving again became the
question of the hour for public officials still smarting from
the bashing they took after last year's winter storms.
With snow forecast to continue into the early morning, there
were no bold predictions about when residential streets
would reopen.