The Inverted PyramidThe Inverted Pyramid

News stories areNews stories are

organized with theorganized with the

following 3 following 3

components:components:

-Lead (1-Lead (1stst paragraph) paragraph)

-Body-rest of the story, -Body-rest of the story,

generally backs up the leadgenerally backs up the lead

-Ending-Ending

Lead:Lead: Summarized the basic facts of the storySummarized the basic facts of the story Catches the readers attention and makes Catches the readers attention and makes

them want to read the rest of your storythem want to read the rest of your story

Hard Lead: suited for an urgent, breaking eventHard Lead: suited for an urgent, breaking event

Soft Lead: more suited to feature writingSoft Lead: more suited to feature writing

Soft Lead:Soft Lead: ““You want me to read a story?" says Sonya DeFazio, a kennel employee You want me to read a story?" says Sonya DeFazio, a kennel employee

sitting cross-legged on the floor with a "Clifford The Big Red Dog" book on sitting cross-legged on the floor with a "Clifford The Big Red Dog" book on her lap.her lap.

The bedtime tale at Best Friends Pet Care caps a busy day for Max, a 7-The bedtime tale at Best Friends Pet Care caps a busy day for Max, a 7-year-old West Highland white terrier, and Leo, a 2-year-old Pomeranian. year-old West Highland white terrier, and Leo, a 2-year-old Pomeranian. During their two-day stay, they've already had fitness sessions, walks, play During their two-day stay, they've already had fitness sessions, walks, play time, ice cream breaks, "suite treats" and bottled water.time, ice cream breaks, "suite treats" and bottled water.

Hard Lead:Hard Lead:Genero Espinosa Dorantes, 35, was taken into custody Saturday in the Genero Espinosa Dorantes, 35, was taken into custody Saturday in the

border city of Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico, FBI and Nashville border city of Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico, FBI and Nashville police said at a news conference. He had been on the most wanted police said at a news conference. He had been on the most wanted list since August 14, 2003.list since August 14, 2003.

Body of the StoryBody of the Story

Hard News Story Body: supports the lead, Hard News Story Body: supports the lead, facts/ quotes are written in declining facts/ quotes are written in declining importanceimportance

After the lead, there can be a theme After the lead, there can be a theme paragragh. paragragh.

The theme is then explored in order and in The theme is then explored in order and in greater detail.greater detail.

EndingEnding

Inverted Pyramid/Hard News stories donInverted Pyramid/Hard News stories don’’t t need a strong ending and end when there need a strong ending and end when there is nothing more to say. is nothing more to say.

Other kinds of stories: need a meaningful Other kinds of stories: need a meaningful ending ending Kicker: catchy quoteKicker: catchy quote End with a quote or anecdote that relates End with a quote or anecdote that relates

back to the main themeback to the main theme