Structure of news writing

The structure of news writing typically follows a standard format, which includes:

1. Lead (also known as the "lede"): The opening sentence or paragraph that grabs the reader's attention and provides the main point of the story.
2. Inverted pyramid: The structure of the story is often presented in an inverted pyramid shape, with the most important information at the top and the least important information at the bottom.
3. Five Ws and H: The story should answer the following questions:
   • Who: The people involved in the story.
   • What: The main event or action.
   • When: The time and date of the event.
   • Where: The location of the event.
   • Why: The reason or motivation behind the event.
   • How: The method or process by which the event occurred.
4. Background: Additional information that provides context and background on the story.
5. Quotations: Direct quotes from people involved in the story, which add depth and perspective.
6. Details: Additional facts and details that support the story.
7. Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a final thought or call to action.
8. Boilerplate: A brief summary of the story, often used in news wires and online headlines.

Here's an example of a news story structure:

Lead: A massive fire broke out at a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles last night, causing millions of dollars in damage and displacing several families.

Inverted pyramid:

• The fire started around 10pm and quickly spread throughout the warehouse, engulfing the building in flames.
• Firefighters responded quickly and were able to contain the blaze, but not before it had spread to neighboring buildings.
• The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say it appears to be accidental.

Five Ws and H:

• Who: The warehouse owner and several families who lived in the nearby apartments.
• What: A massive fire that destroyed the warehouse and damaged nearby buildings.
• When: Last night, around 10pm.
• Where: Downtown Los Angeles.
• Why: The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials say it appears to be accidental.
• How: The fire started in the warehouse and spread quickly due to strong winds.

Background: The warehouse had been in operation for several years and was a popular destination for local businesses.

Quotations: "We're still trying to determine the cause of the fire, but it's clear that it was a devastating event," said Fire Chief John Smith.

Details: The fire was so intense that it melted the windows of nearby buildings and caused significant damage to the surrounding area.

Conclusion: The fire is a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for quick response times in emergency situations.

Boilerplate: A massive fire broke out at a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, causing millions of dollars in damage and displacing several families. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.