Structure Analysis

The inverted pyramid is a structure where the journalist puts the essential and interesting elements of the story at the beginning. Supporting information then follows in order of diminishing importance.

There are other options that include chronological order and the "martini" style that incorporates the inverted pyramid and chronological order. Many hard news stories use the inverted pyramid since this allows readers to stop reading at any point but still have the main points of the story.

In "Students hospitalized after chemical spill," by James Nord, the inverted pyramid style has been used. He begins with a lead that includes the pertinent information of what, when and where.

The following paragraph after the lead adds specific details, such as what chemical was actually spilled.

Information then follows in the order of importance. A quote is also used to begin a paragraph and add life to the story.