THE 5Ws and H of News

Writing/Inverted Pyramid

Adapted from UIL website

Nancy Gibson – Journalism I
The "who" lead - If the "who" is a person
(place or thing) well known, it is usually
the feature of the lead. The name alone
attracts attention. Unless one of the other
elements is particularly outstanding, the
"big name" comes first.

Use this one rarely because it deals with a person and

the person is most probably not the story.
THE “WHO” EXAMPLE:

Coach Bubba Steroid, who led Pine

Valley to four consecutive district
football championships, announced his
retirement in order to sell used cars
door to door.
The "what" lead - Refers to the
happening or occurrence that makes an
item worth reporting. The what might be
the election of a public official, an
automobile accident, a crime or the
announcement of a decision or survey.

Begins with the fact of the story.

THE “WHAT” EXAMPLE

The Pine Valley School Board voted to suspend

popular coach Bubba Steroid after he was caught
last week trying to sell whole-life insurance and
used cars to fourth graders.
The "where" lead - On rare occasions,
the "where" is significant enough to
overshadow the other W's.

Use this rarely as the “where” is not generally that

important.
THE “WHERE” EXAMPLE

In the living room of his mobile home, Principal

Seymour Skinner stood in front of his prized velvet
painting of Elvis Presley and renewed his
recommendation that courses in the study of "the
King" be required in order to graduate from Pine
Valley schools.
The "when" lead - Rarely is the
time of an event the most
interesting feature. However,
circumstances may make it
significant.

Use this rarely as “time” is not the story.

THE “WHEN” EXAMPLE

When football coaches gather to talk about the team these

days, their cocktail of choice may be Maalox. As they
debates how to fire up a team that hasn't won a game in
three years, one outcome is virtually certain: something
good better happen quickly or they'll all be looking for new
jobs next year.
The "why" lead - The motive or cause
of an event sometimes is the most
important feature. Musician Shawn
Phillips may not have had high school
journalism in mind when he said,
"Whether you're 14 or 114, one always
needs to question the 'why' and the 'how'
because otherwise you have died inside"
but it makes a lot of sense.

Begins with the cause the story.

THE “WHY” EXAMPLE

 In an effort to teach Shakespeare to sophomores,

English teacher Gina Hatley and science teacher
Phil Barnes reenacted the love scene between
Romeo and Juliet. "It's the only thing I thought
they'd understand," Ms. Hatley said.
The "how" lead - The method by
which something is accomplished.

Begins with the how of the story. Use often.

THE “HOW” EXAMPLE

 By flunking every course, missing 62 days of

class and assaulting two teachers, Junior Snively
gravely endangered his eligibility for high school
basketball.
Let’s talk about
news writing
structure.
 Advantage: Disadvantages:
It condenses It can get
information repetitive.
efficiently, letting It might
readers discourage you
understand the from a more
basics of what creative lead.
happened It can get bogged
quickly and down with facts
easily and details.
News Writing
A better way ….
The next structure is a modification of the inverted
pyramid that allows for more flexibility and is easy for
beginning journalists to use.

Use the Transition - Quote (L-Q-T-Q) model for most of

your work in journalism.