Beyond the inverted pyramid

1
Beyond the inverted pyramid

• Matching the method to the meaning

Week 4
2
Why the inverted pyramid?

• Hook readers
• Save them time
• Judicious use of space/time available

3
Other formats

• When time/space allow
• Present information more clearly
• Individualize complex stories

4
Narration techniques

• Scene recreation
• Anecdotes
• Foreshadowing
• Dialogue

5
Narration

• (Exposition the inverted pyramid is ordering
  the facts)
• Telling a story
• Moves chronologically
• Uses narration techniques to tell story

6
Scene re-creation

• Vivid description
• Details
• Use all the senses

7
Dialogue

• Conversation between two or more people
• Writer disappears

8
Foreshadowing

• Hints at whats coming
• Television news cast teasers
• The worst was yet to come
• And thats not the half of it

9
Anecdotes

• Stories within stories
• Remember anecdotes more than the lecture?

10
Modifying the inverted pyramid

• Service journalism
• News you can use
• How to do something
• How to get more information
• What does the reader need to act on this
  information?

11
Modifying the inverted pyramid

• News narrative
• Use narration (story telling) to set the hook
• Then goes to a regular news story
• Sometimes goes back to narration (chronology)

12
Modifying the inverted pyramid

• Focus
• Single individual to represent a group
• Begin with set up (individual)
• Transition to larger issue
• Report on larger issue
• Return to the individual

13
Focus

• Focus
• Use other techniques
• Foreshadowing
• So what
• Other opinions
• Sprinkle in anecdotes, scenes and dialogue