The inverted pyramid structure allows journalists to quickly communicate the most important information to their readers. It can be used in a variety of writing genres, from business reports to website content. Let’s discuss what the inverted pyramid is and how you can use it in your own writing!
What Is an Inverted Pyramid? The Structure Explained
When you’re writing in the inverted pyramid structure, you’re organizing information in a way that allows the reader to quickly understand the most important points. This means starting with the most essential information and then moving on to less important details. The inverted pyramid is often used in journalism because it allows reporters to communicate the most important facts of a story right away.
Why Is It Called the Inverted Pyramid?
The inverted pyramid gets its name from its shape. When you visualize the structure, it looks like an upside-down pyramid. The most important information (so, the widest part of the pyramid) is at the top, while the less important details (the smallest part of the pyramid) are at the bottom.
Example News Using This Style of Writing
Here’s an example of a news story written in the inverted pyramid structure:
At least three people were killed and dozens injured when a tornado hit a small town in Oklahoma on Sunday. The tornado hit at around noon, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. It is believed to have been an EF-0 tornado with wind speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. Three bodies were found in the rubble of a destroyed home. Dozens of people were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
This example starts with the most important information – the type of disaster, the date and location, and the number of casualties. Then, it provides details about the event. By starting with the most essential information, readers can quickly understand what happened and how many people were affected.
Those who want to learn more about the event can read on for more details, but those who only want a quick overview can stop reading after the first sentence. They can still pass on the information to others, even if they don’t have all the details.
Why Use the Inverted Pyramid Structure?
The inverted pyramid structure is beneficial because it allows readers to quickly find the information they’re looking for. It’s also helpful for writers because it allows them to organize their thoughts in a clear and concise way.
Besides, if you offer the juiciest information upfront, readers are more likely to stick around until the end! For example, if you tell them straight away how much money an entrepreneur made from their business in the first month, they’ll want to find out how they did it. It’s a great way to keep readers engaged, and even if they do skim through your article, they’ll still get the main points.
When Should You Use It?
The inverted pyramid structure is most commonly used in journalism, but it can be applied to other genres as well. For example, if you’re writing a business report, you may want to start with the main findings and then provide details about the research methods used. This way, you’ll avoid overwhelming the reader with too much technical information at once.
You can also use this structure when writing website content, such as blog posts or product descriptions. Start with the most important information and then provide additional details later on. This way, readers can quickly find what they’re looking for, and you can ensure that all the essential information is included.
How to Apply It? An Example Blog Post Structure
Let’s say you’re writing a blog article about the inverted pyramid structure.
- You might start with a brief explanation of what it is and why it’s used.
- Then, you could provide an example of a news story written in this style.
- After that, you could discuss the benefits of using the inverted pyramid structure and when it’s most appropriate to use it.
- Finally, you could provide other details about the subject, including its less traditional uses (such as web writing) and its history (we’ll get to that in a moment).
See what we did there? We started with the most essential information and then provided additional details later on. You can tell us if it worked for you in the comments at the end!
Who Invented the Inverted Pyramid Style?
It’s unclear who exactly invented this style of writing, but it’s believed to have originated in the 19th century. At that time, newspapers were printed on large sheets of paper that were then cut into smaller pages. Sometimes, this meant that the entire story wouldn’t fit on one page.
In order to ensure that readers would still be able to understand the main points, writers began structuring their articles using the inverted pyramid style. This way, the most important information was always included, regardless of where the story was cut off.
Other Theories
Not every source agrees that the inverted pyramid style originated in newspapers. Some believe that it actually began with the invention of the telegraph. In the early days of this technology, messages were often garbled or cut off due to technical difficulties. As a result, writers had to be concise and include only the most essential information.
This habit eventually carried over into other forms of writing, such as journalism. So, while the inverted pyramid style may have originated with the telegraph, it’s most commonly associated with news writing.
The Inverted Pyramid Today
Over time, this style of writing became standard practice in journalism, and it’s still used today. Readers are used to this format, so it’s important to stick to it when writing news articles.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you have a particularly long or complex story, you may need to deviate from the inverted pyramid style. In these cases, it’s best to discuss the structure with your editor beforehand.
Is the Inverted Pyramid Applicable in Feature Writing?
A feature is longer than a news story and often includes more background information. As a result, the inverted pyramid style isn’t always appropriate. In fact, it’s often recommended to start with a strong hook (such as the writer’s opinion on a subject) and then provide the most important factual information later on.
This ensures that readers will stick with the story until the end, even if it’s longer than they anticipated. It works when you already know that your audience is interested in the subject matter, such as when you’re writing for a trade publication.
In Conclusion: The Inverted Pyramid Will Keep Your Audience Engaged
The inverted pyramid structure is a tried and true method for writing news articles. It’s also effective for other genres, such as business reports and web content. Start with the most important information and then provide additional details later on. This way, you can ensure that all the essential information is included while still keeping your audience engaged.
Have you ever used the inverted pyramid structure in your writing? Let us know in the comments below!