The Inverted Pyramid Style of Writing

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Hortense McDaniel
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1 The Inverted Pyramid Style of Writing Most important information Next most important information Less important information Least important information

2 The Lead The Lead The lead is the first sentence of the article. It should answer the most important questions-- usually who, what, when, and where. Example from the New York Herald, April 15, 1865: This evening at about 9:30 p.m. at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Harris and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President.

3 The Body The Lead The Body The body is the remainder of the story It expands and develops the information introduced in the lead, answering any other questions a reader might have (often why and how): More details Quotes Paraphrase Descriptions Background information History

4 Attribution (where the information came from) All major information should be attributed unless it is commonly known or unless the information itself strongly implies the source. All quotes need attribution (who said it) But other than that we enjoyed the play, Mrs. Lincoln said. Direct quotes shouldn t be more than 2-3 sentences long. Don t dump a string of direct quotes on the reader. Set the quote up, but don t be redundant. Not: Mrs. Rathbone was horrified by the experience. I was horrified by the experience, she said. Rather: Mrs. Rathbone was horrified by the experience. I couldn t stop shaking, she said.

5 Example A thief left a trail of destruction in a bungled burglary in the forest yesterday. The mess included a smashed chair and a baby's empty breakfast bowl. Police have released the name of the suspect, Goldilocks Griddle. Homeowners Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear returned to their woodland house mid-morning, only to find it ransacked. "Early in the day, Baby Bear had complained his porridge was too hot, so we went for a walk in the forest while it cooled," Papa Bear said. "We never imagined that we'd come home to find Baby Bear's porridge eaten, our porridge tasted, Baby's chair broken, our chairs moved, and all of our beds messed up. And we were all completely shocked to find a villain still sleeping in our baby's bed." Police said the suspect's motivation remained a mystery. "We are yet to interview the suspect," said Sgt Sam Surly. "At this stage, we can only guess why she might have done this. Her parents say that she is usually a pleasant little girl with excellent manners. This very unusual behavior for her," her mother said. Griddle is currently being held without bail at the Enchanted Forest County jail.

6 Another Example The Wicked Witch of the West, a much-feared sorceress, melted shortly after midnight yesterday after being doused by Dorothy Gale, a 12-year-old Kansas farm girl who arrived in Oz under mysterious circumstances several weeks ago, according to officials in the Emerald City. Eyewitnesses to her death said the witch s last words were, You cursed brat! Look what you ve done! I m melting. Reactions to her demise ranged from stunned silence by the Mean Apple Trees to jubilant cries of Ding, dong, the witch is dead! by the witch s own security guards. It s wonderful to be free of her evil spells at last, said Myron, captain of the flying monkeys. During the Wicked Witch of the West s reign of terror, she enslaved hundreds of flying monkeys and is thought to have ordered the murders of scores of innocent Munchkins. Gale, whose falling house killed the Wicked Witch of the East, spurring a wave of violent reprisals, is expected to return to Kansas. No charges will be filed, according to law enforcement officials. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz issued a statement expressing his relief that the witches brand of terrorism had come to an end. He then announced his retirement and asked for cooperation in the handover of power to Scarecrow. Glinda the Good Witch of the North flew in by bubble to reassure residents that rumors of other wicked witches building an insurgency were unfounded.glinda joined the Mayor of Munchkin City, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man in leading a parade of little people down the yellow brick road to celebrate their freedom. Emerald City business owners already are considering erecting a monument to Gale. Many Munchkins said they now consider her a hero and her little dog, too. The witch s castle has been closed to the public temporarily.

7 Headlines Headlines should let the reader know what the article is about. Headlines should be a complete sentence with a subject and verb. The verb should be an action verb. Use standard capitalization rules. Don t use a period at the end. Examples: Golden-haired girl charged in home burglary Kansas girl douses western tyrant, freeing Oz from terror

GOLDILOCKS. 2. What kind of animals can you find in the? 3. The baby is really tired. She since 11am.

GOLDILOCKS. 2. What kind of animals can you find in the? 3. The baby is really tired. She since 11am. GOLDILOCKS Part 1. Pre Listening Vocabulary List Check the meaning of these words and phrases. has been sleeping porridge to decide to growl bowl forest to knock to taste Put in Sentences 1. Have you ever