SESSION 2Fundamentals of journalistic writing

THE INVERTED PYRAMID

Most important information first; less important information towards the end

INVERTED PYRAMID The simplest and most basic style of writing

stories in journalism. The broad base at the top represents the

most important information which should be put first.

The narrow tip represents the least important information which should come at the end.

This is determined by news values. The most important information that comes

in the beginning (preferably first paragraph) includes: what, where, who, when, why and how. Collectively known as 5Ws and an H.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Short and simple sentences. Connection between paragraphs and

facts essential (chronological order) to maintain flow. Usually connecting words or links called ‘transition’ are used for this purpose (explanation on slide five).

Small paragraphs because reader is more likely to read the whole thing and it looks good on the page.

TRANSITION WORDSLink each paragraph of the story to the one before that. Gives momentum to the story so that the reader reads right till the end. Common types include

Time sequence: After the protestors reached Chundrigar Road, they started chanting slogans and then resorted to vandalism.

Repetition: Mr Malik said his ministry has the situation under control. He also said there is a contingency plan.

Compare and contrast: The fast food franchise insisted it had made parking arrangements. However, this reporter saw several cars parked on the street.

Geographic sequence: Frere Hall is characterised by colonial architecture. On the opposite side is the now defunct American embassy building.

Pronouns and demonstrative adjectives: Rehman Malik has given a 15-day period to all foreigners in Karachi to register themselves. He said that failure to do so would result in consequences and that the people responsible would be to blame for it.

Conjunctions: A parking plaza will be built on Boulton Market. Meanwhile, city planners have expressed concern over this development, saying that this plaza could cause a traffic mess in the area.

WHY THE INVERTED PYRAMID? Limited space available to any given

reporter on page. Makes editing easier and faster – editors

can just cut from bottom up without worrying that important information is being taken out.

Logical – even in everyday life when you have an exciting piece of information to share, you are likely to say the most important thing first and then follow with the less important details.

CLASS ACTIVITY Write an inverted pyramid news story based

on the following facts: An accident happened. It happened yesterday.

Today is Tuesday. It was a motorist running over a pedestrian. It happened on main Sharae Faisal close to Nursery. The pedestrian died. His name was Ahmed Farooq and he was a student of Karachi University. He was 22 years old and was studying pharmacy. The driver’s name was Zohaib. He lost control of the car. His car was Toyota Corolla 2007. Ahmed died instantly. He lived with his parents in KMCHS. A case has been registered against the driver.

WRITING INTROS News worthy – consider the angle you want to use for

your story and put that in the introduction. Several angles to one story. Decide the one you want to use and put that in the intro.

KISS (Keep it Short and Simple) – do not put jargon (technical terms that a reader may not know), keep sentences short and avoid using fancy words. Work on the assumption that the average reader does not know too much. At the most, it should contain 20 words and should at the most contain two or three sentences. You do not need to answer 5Ws and an H in the intro but in the story.

Attention-grabbing – should be written in a way that will make the reader want to know more.

Style – sense the tone. You cannot use humour in the intro in case of a tragic story. You cannot be melodramatic about a funny issue.

WHEN WRITING YOUR INTRO: List the key points Put them in order of importance Choose the main points as your news

angle and form an intro based on that.

TWO MAIN KINDS OF INTROS Active intros: Szabist student wins

debate competition. Student is the one performing the action and is put in the beginning of the sentence.

Passive intros: International debate competition won by Szabist student. What actually happens, that is winning, is the important aspect of the sentence thus coming in the beginning of the sentence before the student who is performing the action.

CLASS ACTIVITY Make an appropriate intro out of the following:

A school bus ran off Tipu Sultan Road in Karachi, narrowly missing an electricity pole and came to rest in a nearby park. Most of the bus windows were smashed. There were more than 30 children on the bus. They were going to Foundation Public School. It was a 36-seater bus. All children escaped serious injury. Some of them jumped out of the bus and grazed themselves. Eye-witnesses said the children were helped from the bus screaming and shouting and in a state of panic. All of this happened this morning.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEDIA Print – includes newspapers, magazines, books,

journals, periodicals. Provides more analysis, in-depth coverage of news. You can read and re-read at your convenience as opposed to appearing at fixed time schedules.

Radio – Uses the medium of sound. Can be accessed in a variety of places while people are mobile.

TV – Use of sight and sound, thus making it more appealing. Less details. Shows appearing at fixed times. Cannot watch at convenience. Cannot be mobile while watching it.

Online – Use of sight and sound also. Also need to be not moving around while accessing online media. Much more information than all three medium. Variety of opinions, analysis, commentary. Can be confusing for the reader sometimes.

FACT, COMMENTARY, OPINION Fact: Something that happened or

occurred at a certain point in time and can be supported by eye-witnesses (sources), that is, can be verified.

Opinion: A personal belief or judgment regarding certain facts or issues. This belief may not be founded on proof or certainty.

Commentary: A series of explanations or interpretations. Based on certain facts.

SOURCES AND FINDING STORIES A source is an individual, group or institution

that creates an event. Sources also serve as evidence of an event that took place.

Some places where one can hope to find stories:

▪ Police stations▪ Hospitals▪ Schools, colleges, universities▪ Businesses▪ Government offices▪ Courts▪ Art galleries, performing art venues.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS The Universal Journalist by David

Randall

The Special Correspondent: A Handbook for Reporters by Dilip Awasthi

Media Monoliths: How Great Media Brands Thrive and Survive by Mark Tungate