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[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]] | |||
[[File:news_writing_inverted_pyramid2.jpg|thumb|upright=2| A visual example of the Inverted Pyramid.]] | |||
An inverted pyramid serves as a design standard of news delivery and technical writing. This design should serve as a guideline for students constructing a blog for the first time. | |||
=Organization= | |||
#Place the most important information first using '''The 5 W's'''. | |||
''' | |||
#Explanation or supporting details that make the headline and attention grabbing information true | #Explanation or supporting details that make the headline and attention grabbing information true | ||
#General details- | #General details-these details will be the least likely to be read. In the event that these details are cut, the article should not suffer. | ||
==Priority: The 5 W's== | |||
According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab, the 5 W's help the author determine the most important information. According to inverted pyramid style, these questions should be answered by the conclusion of the first paragraph. | |||
*'''W'''ho? Well known names should be in the headline. Others may go in the first paragraph depending on the subject. | *'''W'''ho? Well known names should be in the headline. Others may go in the first paragraph depending on the subject. | ||
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*'''W'''hy? After reading a headline, a natural reaction from the site visitor will be "Why?" If this information is available, it is necessary to the beginning of the article. Often times readers surf the web for the "why" of a new law, murder, food recall, etc. Exclusion of this detail will cause a reader to go elsewhere and flag the site as uninformed. | *'''W'''hy? After reading a headline, a natural reaction from the site visitor will be "Why?" If this information is available, it is necessary to the beginning of the article. Often times readers surf the web for the "why" of a new law, murder, food recall, etc. Exclusion of this detail will cause a reader to go elsewhere and flag the site as uninformed. | ||
=Purpose= | |||
The inverted pyramid contributes to [[scan-ability]]. Placement of the most essential information at the beginning of an article or entry allows the reader to get what he needs without scrolling. Site visitors read less on the web than in print. Bloggers should implement the inverted pyramid to share need-to-know information quickly and retain frequent visitors. [http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Webwise Wording] says, "If they cannot quickly and easily assess your article for points of interest, they are likely to leave your webpage and go search for an alternative that is easier to skim." | The inverted pyramid contributes to [[scan-ability]]. Placement of the most essential information at the beginning of an article or entry allows the reader to get what he needs without scrolling. Site visitors read less on the web than in print. Bloggers should implement the inverted pyramid to share need-to-know information quickly and retain frequent visitors. [http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Webwise Wording] says, "If they cannot quickly and easily assess your article for points of interest, they are likely to leave your webpage and go search for an alternative that is easier to skim." | ||
= References = | |||
#[http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Inverted Pyramid Style] Retrieved 2 April 2013. | #[http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Inverted Pyramid Style] Retrieved 2 April 2013. | ||
#[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/04/ Purdue OWL: Journalism and Journalistic Writing] Retrieved 9 April 2013. | #[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/04/ Purdue OWL: Journalism and Journalistic Writing] Retrieved 9 April 2013. | ||
==See Also== | |||
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]] | |||
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]] | |||
*[[Brevity|Brevity]] | |||
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]] | |||
[[Category:New Media]] | |||