inverted pyramid
Lead-first news format
The inverted pyramid is a structure for presenting information with the most important facts first, followed by supporting details in descending order of significance.
Journalists use it so readers get essential news immediately: The article followed the inverted pyramid, leading with the verdict before explaining the trial.
The format also ensures editors can cut from the bottom without losing critical content.
- journalismNews gathering and dissemination
- news storyMedia report of events
- newsReports of recent events
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- headlineNews article title
structure · writing · broadcast · summary · most important · who · what · when · where · why · descending · importance · upside-down · ancient Egypt · base · apex · top-heavy · balance
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- newspapersnewspaper, headlines, headline, news, articles
- LouvreMona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, I. M. Pei, Code of Hammurabi
- journalism basicswho, what, when, where, why
- journalism termsheadline, headlines, byline, bylines, lead
- news writinglead paragraph, byline, dateline, news writing, journalistic style
inverted pyramidnarrative structure
How a tale unfolds
traditional storytelling · dramatic arc · three-act structure
inverted pyramidchronological order
Arrangement by time of occurrence
narrative arc · linear narrative · dramatic structure · three-act structure · slow burn
inverted, pyramid, invert, inversion, inversions, inverts, inverting, inverse, inversely