This presentation about the basic structure of news stories goes with Chapter 3 of "Reporting and Writing News: A Basic Handbook," by Peter Eng and Jeff Hodson. It

1. CHAPTER 3:
BASIC STORY
STRUCTURE
Identify hard news, features and news features
Identify lead and body and how they are
different for hard news and features
Write a summary lead and define inverted
pyramid
Identify so what (nut graph), news peg, context
and background

2. Hard news vs. soft news
Hard or breaking news
Timely stories about events that have
just happened or are about to happen.
Examples:
• Crime
• Accidents
• Disasters
• Government reports
• Parliament passes a law
• One company buys another
• Results of a badminton match
• Photo by Steven Taschuk

3. Hard news vs. soft news
Soft news or features
News that entertains or informs with an
emphasis on human interest and novelty and
less so on immediacy. Often, inspires warm and
fuzzy feelings.
Examples:
• Animals
• Children
• Celebrities
• Humor
• Holidays Photo by Nathan

4. Structure of a story
Lead
Body
= introduction
= the rest

5. Hard news vs. soft news
Hard or breaking news
Timely stories about events that have just
happened or are about to happen.
• Photo by Steven Taschuk
Lead
Body
• Usually one sentence
• What the story is about
• Summary of the most
important of the
5 Ws and H
• Info in order of importance
• Explains and supports lead
• Details, quotes, background

6. Definition: Inverted pyramid
Hard-news structure
Story organization in which the most important information is
placed at the beginning, or in the lead, followed by
information that supports the lead, and then less important
information.

7. Origin: inverted pyramid
• American Civil War reporters sent stories by telegraph.
• Stories were often cut off in mid-sentence, before the
reporter had said who’d won the battle.
• Editors: file fact-filled summaries FIRST, then add the
details.
Hard-news structure
ByExpertInfantry
ofaMathewBradyphoto

8. Advantages: inverted pyramid
•Condenses information efficiently,
so readers can grasp facts quickly.
•Allows editors to trim stories from
the bottom, since the details in the
text become gradually less
essential.
•Forces reporter to focus on what
are the most important elements
Hard-news structure

9. Disadvantages: inverted pyramid
•Can be boring. No suspense.
•Doesn’t tell the reader a story with a
beginning, middle and end.
•Instead of a strong ending, the
story loses steam, encouraging
people to stop reading.
Hard-news structure
Writing from the Top Down: Pros and Cons of the Inverted Pyramid, by Chip Scanlan for Poynter.org

10. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

11. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

12. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

13. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

14. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

15. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

16. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

17. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

18. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

19. Example: inverted pyramid
The world’s oldest dog has died in
Sakura, Japan, at the age of 26 years
and eight months — equal to 125
human years.
Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died
Monday after suddenly falling ill and
refusing to eat.
“I thank him for living so long with
me,” owner Yumiko Shinohara told
reporters. “I felt as if he was my child.”
The dog was born at the home of
Shinohara’s sister in March 1985 and
was registered as a pet on April 1 that
year.
In 2008, he suffered serious injuries
after being hit by a car. A veterinarian
told Shinohara it would be difficult to
save Pusuke’s life, but the dog
underwent successful surgery.
Pusuke was recognized as the world’s
oldest living dog last December. The
Guinness record for canine longevity is
29 years, set by Bluey, an Australian
cattle dog who died in 1939.
Hard-news structure
From Tim Harrower’s Inside Reporting

20. The story: “3 Little Pigs”
Hard-news structure
From "Three little pigs - third pig builds a house - Project Gutenberg eText 15661"

21. The story: “3 Little Pigs”
• Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. One pig built
a house of straw, while the second pig built his house with
sticks. The third little pig built his house with bricks.
• Spying a tasty meal, a big bad wolf chased the first two
pigs, and they ran and hid in their houses. The wolf went to
the first house of straw and huffed and puffed and blew the
house down. The frightened little pig ran to the second
pig’s house that was made of sticks. The wolf came to this
house of sticks and huffed and puffed and blew the house
down. Now, the two little pigs ran to the third pig’s house
that was made of bricks.
• The big bad wolf tried to huff and puff and blow the brick
house down, but he could not. He tried to enter through the
chimney, but the third little pig boiled a big pot of water and
kept it below the chimney. The wolf fell into it and died.
Excerpted from: http://shortstoriesshort.com/story/the-three-little-pigs/
Hard-news structure

22. 5 Ws and H: “3 Little Pigs”
Who?
• The three little pigs and the wolf
What happened?
• Wolf blew down the straw and stick houses of the first
two little pigs. Wolf tried but failed to blow down the
brick house of the third pig, where all three pigs had
gathered. Wolf tried to enter the brick house through
the chimney and fell into a pot of boiling water and
died.
Where did it take place?
• At a straw house, a stick house and a brick house.
When did it take place?
At various times in one day.
Hard-news structure
Excerpted from http://blog.journalistics.com/2010/five-ws-one-h/

23. 5 Ws and H: “3 Little Pigs”
Why did it happen?
• Wolf was trying to eat the pigs.
How did it happen?
• The first two houses were not built to withstand Wolf’s
powerful breath. Unable to blow down the brick house,
Wolf fell into a pot of boiling water when entering through
the chimney.
Hard-news structure
Text excerpted from http://blog.journalistics.com/2010/five-ws-one-h/ Image by "Page 69 illustration in English Fairy
Tales" by Joseph Jacobs - English Fairy Tales, Jacobs, J., 1895 New York : Grossett & Dunlap (2nd edition?)

24. Hard-news structure
WHO
DID
WHAT
Strong,
active verb

25. What’s your summary lead for “3 Little Pigs”?
A wolf blew down two pigs’ houses but was killed when
he entered a third pig’s house, according to witnesses.
None of the pigs was injured.
Hard-news structureByProjectGutenbergeText
Summary lead
• Usually one sentence
• What the story is about:
who did what
• Summary of the most
important of the 5 Ws
and H

26. Hard news vs. soft news
Soft news or features
News that entertains or informs with an
emphasis on human interest and novelty and
less so on immediacy. Often, inspires warm and
fuzzy feelings.
Examples:
• Animals
• Children
• Celebrities
• Humor
• Holidays Photo by Nathan

27. Vocabulary review
• Human interest:
An event or situation that appeals to the emotions of
readers
• Anecdote:
A short factual story within a feature story, written with
a beginning, middle and end. It is usually several
paragraphs and illustrates an important point the writer
is trying to make.
Hard news, soft news or news feature
Bysimpleinsomnia

28. Vocabulary review
• So what? or nut graph:
A phrase meant to remind
reporters to include in their
stories the significance of a
news event or feature. It
tells the reader why they
should care about a
particular event and how it
could affect people.
Hard news, soft news or news feature
ByJørgenSchyberg

29. Vocabulary review
• So what? or nut graph
answers:
• What’s really important
about this event or
development?
• Why do my readers or
listeners need to know
this?
• How will it affect their
lives?
Hard news, soft news or news feature
ByJørgenSchyberg

30. Vocabulary review
• So what? or nut
graph answers:
• What’s really
important about
this event or
development?
• Why do my
readers or
listeners need to
know this?
• How will it affect
their lives?
Hard news, soft news or news feature
Vice President U Nyan Tun met
Mr. Nikolai P. Patrushev, Secretary
of Russia’s Security Council and
party at the President Hotel in
Moscow on Wednesday morning.
They discussed further cementing
friendly relations and cooperation
between the two countries,
cooperation in defence and
security sectors, preparations for
signing the MOUs,…..

31. Vocabulary review
• News peg:
The recent breaking or hard news that has prompted this
more in-depth news feature.
Hard news, soft news or news feature
ByAndyRogers

32. Hard news vs. soft newsSoft news or features
News that entertains or informs with an emphasis on
human interest and novelty and less so on
immediacy. Often, inspires warm and fuzzy feelings.
Lead
Body
• May be a description of a
person or place or a little
story, or anecdote
• Includes so what or nut
graph
• No more than four graphs
• Has a beginning, middle
and end
• Good descriptions and
quotes

33. Hard news vs. soft news
News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event
reported with feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest angle.
Examples:
• Trend stories
• Events told through the eyes of one person
• A follow-up story that examines one angle of a
breaking-news event in more detail
• Anniversaries of news events
• Photos by Steven Taschuk and Nathan

34. Soft news versus news feature:
what’s the key difference?
• Soft news: News that entertains or informs
with an emphasis on human interest and
novelty and less so on immediacy. Often,
inspires warm and fuzzy feelings.
• News feature: A story based on a
breaking-news event reported with feature-
writing techniques and/or a human-interest
angle.
Hard news, soft news or news feature

35. News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event reported
with feature-writing techniques and/or a human-
interest angle.
Lead
Body
• May be a description of a
person or place or a little
story, or anecdote
• Includes so what or nut
graph with news peg
• No more than four grafs
• Has a beginning, middle
and end
• Good descriptions and
quotes

36. Vocabulary review
A. Timely stories about events
that have just happened or
are about to happen.
B. News that entertains or
informs with an emphasis on
human interest and novelty
and less so on immediacy.
Often, inspires warm and
fuzzy feelings.
C. A story based on a breaking-
news event reported with
feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest
angle.
Hard news, soft news or news feature
1. Soft news
2. Hard news
3. News
feature

37. Hard news, soft news or news feature

38. Hard news, soft news or news feature
“Zhou Yongkang…shared
the documents with his
qigong master, who claims
supernatural abilities.”

39. So What?
or nut graph
Hard news, soft news or news feature
“It’s the latest example of a
trusted relationship between
the leadership of the party,
which nominally espouses
atheism, and spirituality.”

40. Hard news, soft news or news feature

41. Hard news vs. soft news
News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event
reported with feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest angle.
Examples:
A. Trend stories
B. Events told through the eyes of one person
C. A follow-up story that examines one angle of
a breaking-news event in more detail
D. Anniversaries of news events
• Photos by Steven Taschuk and Nathan

42. Hard news, soft news or news feature

43. Hard news, soft news or news feature
Summary
lead: who
did what

44. Hard news, soft news or news feature

45. Hard news vs. soft news
News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event
reported with feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest angle.
Examples:
A. Trend stories
B. Events told through the eyes of one person
C. A follow-up story that examines one angle of
a breaking-news event in more detail
D. Anniversaries of news events
• Photos by Steven Taschuk and Nathan

46. Hard news, soft news or news feature

47. Hard news, soft news or news feature
• May be a description of a
person or place or a little
story, or anecdote
• Includes so what or nut
graph with news peg
• No more than four grafs
Lead

48. Hard news, soft news or news feature
Summary
lead: who
did what

49. Hard news, soft news or news feature
May 6, 2015

50. Hard news, soft news or news feature
• May be a description of a
person or place or a little
story, or anecdote
• Includes so what or nut
graph with news peg
• No more than four grafs
Lead

51. Hard news, soft news or news feature
May 6, 2015

52. Hard news vs. soft news
News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event
reported with feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest angle.
Examples:
A. Trend stories
B. Events told through the eyes of one person
C. A follow-up story that examines one angle of
a breaking-news event in more detail
D. Anniversaries of news events
• Photos by Steven Taschuk and Nathan

53. Hard news, soft news or news feature
May 6, 2015

54. Hard news, soft news or news feature
June 4, 1989

55. Hard news, soft news or news feature
June 2, 2014

56. Hard news vs. soft news
News feature
A story based on a breaking-news event
reported with feature-writing techniques
and/or a human-interest angle.
Examples:
A. Trend stories
B. Events told through the eyes of one person
C. A follow-up story that examines one angle of
a breaking-news event in more detail
D. Anniversaries of news events
• Photos by Steven Taschuk and Nathan

57. Hard news, soft news or news feature
June 2, 2014

58. Definitions: context and background
Both help readers better understand the
event. Which is context? Background?
A. Information in a story that tells readers
the current general situation related to
the event being reported in the story.
B. Information in a story that tells readers
what happened in the past, related to
the event being reported in the story.

59. Definitions: context and background
Find both: The prime minister’s statement came
amid a tense stand-off between Cambodian and
Thai troops near the 11th-century Preah Vihear
temple, which last month erupted into a clash
that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

60. Definitions: context and background
Context? The prime minister’s statement came
amid a tense stand-off between Cambodian and
Thai troops near the 11th-century Preah Vihear
temple, which last month erupted into a clash
that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

61. Definitions: context and background
Context? The prime minister’s statement came
amid a tense stand-off between Cambodian and
Thai troops near the 11th-century Preah Vihear
temple, which last month erupted into a clash
that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

62. Definitions: context and background
Background? The prime minister’s statement
came amid a tense stand-off between
Cambodian and Thai troops near the 11th-century
Preah Vihear temple, which last month erupted
into a clash that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

63. Definitions: context and background
Background? The prime minister’s statement
came amid a tense stand-off between
Cambodian and Thai troops near the 11th-century
Preah Vihear temple, which last month erupted
into a clash that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

64. Definitions: context and background
So what, or nut graph? The prime minister’s
statement came amid a tense stand-off between
Cambodian and Thai troops near the 11th-century
Preah Vihear temple, which last month erupted
into a clash that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

65. Definitions: context and background
So what, or nut graph? The prime minister’s
statement came amid a tense stand-off between
Cambodian and Thai troops near the 11th-century
Preah Vihear temple, which last month erupted
into a clash that raised concerns of a border war.
ByWilliamBrehm

66. Bottom right, page 27:
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

67. •Hard news, soft news or news feature?
•Lead?
•Body?
•Inverted pyramid?
•News peg?
•Attribution?
•Context?
•Background?
•So what, or nut graph?
Review: Chapter 3

68. Hard news, soft news or news feature?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries are
studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made the
announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50 percent of
the world market so they have an important role to play
in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian Development
Bank and rice-importing countries criticized it, saying it
would increase hunger and poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

69. Lead?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

70. Body?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

71. Inverted pyramid?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

72. News peg?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

73. Attribution?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

74. Context?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

75. Background?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3

76. So what, or nut graf?
Southeast Asia’s five Mekong River countries
are studying a plan to set up an association of rice-
exporting nations. Vietnam’s prime minister made
the announcement yesterday in Hanoi….
He says these nations are the rice bowl of the
Asian region and their exports account for 50
percent of the world market so they have an
important role to play in ensuring food security.
Thailand proposed a rice exporters’ cartel last
April, as world grain prices reached record levels. It
back away from the plan after the Asian
Development Bank and rice-importing countries
criticized it, saying it would increase hunger and
poverty.
Review: Chapter 3