Straight Talk
Module 1, Activity 2.6 - Inverted Pyramid Structure
Teacher Page
(student page for this lesson)

Introduction:

Once journalists have all the facts, they must decide how to write a story. The most common style for writing hard news is known as the inverted pyramid structure. In this lesson the students will learn to recognize this structure through comparison/contrast and problem solving activities and they will have the opportunity to write a story in the inverted pyramid style.

Resources:

- two different newspaper articles on the same story (one pyramid structure, one with another structure)
- one newspaper article written in pyramid structure and cut up by paragraph
- copy of a fairytale
- video clip Re: inverted pyramid structure

Activities:

Task One - Facts vs. Storytelling
Students need to learn to recognize the different styles of writing used in journalism. Discuss with students that storytelling is a tool for all communicators, including journalists. While narration is a part of communication, there are different ways to write a news story that focus more specifically on the facts.

Bring in two different articles about the same news item. One should use the inverted pyramid structure and one should use the storytelling structure. (a search on Tsunami, 9-11 or another large scale disaster should bring up several stories to choose from).

In partners, have the students look at the two articles. First, they should note any similarities within the articles. This should give the students the opportunity to learn the facts of the story. Next, the students should write down all the differences between the articles. Tell the students that they should specifically be looking for stylistic differences such as: order, narration, word choice. Once the students have had enough time to note both the similarities and differences in the article, discuss as a class.

List both the similarities and differences on the board. As the facilitator in the discussion, be sure to aid the students in noticing the specific order of the inverted pyramid article and the lack of emotion in comparison to the storytelling article.

Task Two - Piecing it Together
After the comparison/contrast activity, be sure that the students note the specific characteristics of the inverted pyramid style. They may do that by watching the video of a journalist discussing this style of writing or by taking the following notes:

- first paragraph should include all the most important details of the story (5Ws)
- the first paragraph should only include necessary information; it is written in a very brief and concise manner.
- consecutive paragraphs should include supporting information in order of importance.

Task Two - Continued . . .

Have the students piece together the article in the inverted pyramid structure. When they are finished:
1. Compare the students' final products with the actual article as it was written
2. Discuss the order and included details with regards to the pyramid style.

Task Three - Fairytale Pyramid
It is time for the students to write using the inverted pyramid style. Read a well known fairytale to the class (Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Ridinghood). The students must take down the details of the events and then write a news story in the inverted pyramid structure. See the assessment and evaluation section for further details.

Task Three is the students' first time using this style of writing. Any assessment that is done should be informal to check for completion and knowledge of the format. Have the students trade papers and read their partners' work. This will provide opportunity for both reflection and analysis. Students should:

• make specific comments or suggestions on the introduction, as it it the most important part of the inverted pyramid structure.
• write one comment and one suggestion regarding the rest of the article.