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Inverted pyramid writing
The document outlines the inverted pyramid style of news writing, emphasizing the importance of conciseness and clarity by placing the most critical information at the beginning. It details the structure of a news article, including the lede, which summarizes the main news elements, followed by supporting information and background. Furthermore, it discusses strategies for crafting compelling headlines and ledes, along with tips for engaging readers.
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Inverted pyramid writing
- 1. THE INVERTED PYRAMID NEWSWRITING
- 2. SO THE WRITERWHO BREEDS MORE WORDS THAN HE NEEDS, IS MAKING A CHORE FOR THE READER WHO READS. Dr. Seuss THE INVERTED PYRAMID
- 3. CONCISENESS IS THE SISTEROF TALENT. Anton Chekhov THE INVERTED PYRAMID
- 4. THE ABILITY TOSIMPLIFY MEANS TO ELIMINATE THE UNNECESSARY SO THAT THE NECESSARY MAY SPEAK. Hans Hofmann THE INVERTED PYRAMID
- 5. THE INVERTED PYRAMID THEHALLMARKS OF THE INVERTED PYRAMID ▸ Quick ▸ Convenient ▸ Easy to write ▸ Easy to update The most ‘formulaic’ of journalistic writing styles.
- 6. THE INVERTED PYRAMID DISTINCTIVEFORMAT ▸ The lede: The MOST IMPORTANT element(s) of the story ▸ The body: Includes BACKGROUND information and credible, relevant SOURCES ▸ As the story proceeds, details become LESS IMPORTANT or newsworthy MOST IMPORTANT LEAST IMPORTANT
- 7. THE INVERTED PYRAMID STARTSWITH THE IMPORTANT JOURNALISTIC QUESTIONS ▸ WHO is involved in the news? ▸ WHAT is happening or about to happen? ▸ WHEN will it happen? ▸ WHERE will it occur? ▸ WHY is it important? Why should readers care? ▸ HOW will it work?
- 8. THE INVERTED PYRAMID QUESTIONSTIE IN WITH ELEMENTS OF NEWS* ▸ WHO = PROMINENCE ▸ WHAT ▸ WHEN = TIMELINESS ▸ WHERE = PROXIMITY ▸ WHY = IMPACT/CONSEQUENCE or CONFLICT ▸ HOW *You must decide which element is THE MOST IMPORTANT.
- 9. THE INVERTED PYRAMID STARTSWITH A GREAT HEADLINE ▸ Subject—Verb—Object format ▸ Summarizes the news “peg”
- 10. THE INVERTED PYRAMID STARTSWITH A GREAT HEADLINE ▸ Administrators enact new dress code policy
- 11. THE INVERTED PYRAMID STARTSWITH A GREAT HEADLINE ▸ Administrators enact new dress code policy ▸ Students revolt against new dress code policy
- 12. THE INVERTED PYRAMID STARTSWITH A GREAT HEADLINE ▸ Administrators enact new dress code policy ▸ Students revolt against new dress code policy ▸ S.W.A.T. team called in to squash dress code rebellion
- 13. THE INVERTED PYRAMID INCLUDESA GREAT LEDE ▸ Thirty-five words or fewer ▸ Includes the most important news elements ▸ BONUS: If the FIRST SIX WORDS reveal the news peg FUN FACT The spelling of ‘LEDE’ started in the1950s. It was first used in instructions to printers, in order to distinguish the word from text to be printed.
- 14. THE INVERTED PYRAMID LEDEEXAMPLES Players’ music selections must be approved prior to playing them at school sporting events, according to Charles Breithaupt, Leaguetown High School athletics director.
- 15. THE INVERTED PYRAMID LEDEEXAMPLES Injuries to key players could hinder the tournament chances for the Leaguetown High School football team, which won its Sectional match on Oct. 23 against second- ranked Georgetown High School, 44-13.
- 16. THE INVERTED PYRAMID LEDEEXAMPLES Students may no longer wear hats and midriff-revealing clothing at Leaguetown High School, after the school board voted tonight in favor of a new, stricter dress code policy…
- 17. THE INVERTED PYRAMID CONTINUESWITH INFO TO EXPAND ON LEDE …The board voted 5-2 in favor of the measure, which Principal John Ross originally proposed two months ago in response to, he said, “continual problems with distracting clothing that disrupted the learning environment.” “I strongly suggest you pass this measure,” Ross said to the board before the vote. “We need to have a more definitive policy so students know exactly the expectations we have of them before they come in the door.” EXPERT SOURCE Typically an adult, this person is both credible and relevant to the story.
- 18. THE INVERTED PYRAMID GIVESADDITIONAL BACKGROUND According to school records and Ross, administrators dealt with 18 incidents involving clothing issues in the past six months. The specifics of the new dress code include requiring students to wear “tuckable” shirts and no pants that reveal undergarments. Skirts and shorts must be no higher than two inches above the knee, and hats and head coverings, including scarves, are prohibited. The new policy will go into effect with the beginning of the next school year. THINK LIKE YOUR AUDIENCE What information would a reader/ listener need to know about this newsworthy event? Do your homework to find answers to those questions.
- 19. THE INVERTED PYRAMID CONTINUESWITH MORE DETAILS The vote wasn’t met without conflict. Several students, including Student Body President Mary Callahan, spoke to the board before the vote, urging it to reconsider its passage. “The clothing students wear is not distracting,” Callahan said. “The majority of students choose wisely when it comes to the clothes they wear each day. This measure is simply a knee-jerk reaction to the repeated problems of a few. We don’t need a policy to further restrict our rights.” MAIN ‘FACE’ Typically a student (for a student publication), this person has been affected by the news. THE END When in doubt, end with a quote from one of your sources.