Inverted Pyramid Style of News Writing

Why You Need The Inverted Pyramid When You Write

The Inverted Pyramid is the style of writing that journalists use when they write.

Reporters place the most important elements of the story at the beginning. They start with the conclusion of the story, followed by the most important supporting information, and end with the background.

The inverted pyramid is a metaphor used by journalists and other writers to illustrate how information should be prioritized and structured in a news report. It is a common method for writing news stories. This is a way to communicate the basics about a news report in the initial sentences. It is widely taught to mass communication and journalism students, and is systematically used in Anglophone media.

The inverted or upside-down pyramid can be thought of as a triangle with one side horizontally at the top and the body pointing down. The widest part at the top represents the most substantial, interesting, and important information that the writer means to convey, illustrating that this kind of material should head the article, while the tapering lower portion illustrates that other material should follow in order of diminishing importance.

Why write this way if you’re not a journalist?

80% of readers do not read the whole story. They scan headlines, so you should give them the most important information first.

Web readers dislike long-winded, flowery, promotional writing with boastful claims. They prefer facts. Today’s readers want realistic, useful information. Many people are offering news and content, and many more probably offer what you’re selling.

The key to getting a reader’s attention is simplicity.

How to use the Inverted Pyramid

Ask the six questions:

What?

When?

Where?

Who?

Why?

How?

Answer them and decide how to write the copy.

When should you use The Inverted Pyramid?

All the time. You can take the basic format and adapt it for press releases, emails, essays, and blogging