by Bailey Haack
The story about a taxi driver crashing into a crowd of people in the San Diego Union-Tribune began with the information they want to convey most: the investigators are trying to figure out the cause of the accident.
The reporter begins by summarizing the important elements in about three paragraphs. The most important information is first, giving enough details to understand both the incident and how it is being investigated.
In subsequent paragraphs, more details are given, but they aren't vital to understanding the story.
The details given are important and interesting, but if a shorter story was needed, they could be cut out.
The story is ultimately effective, however, because it gives the most important information first and gets the reader interested in what happened.
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