Language Arts: Journalism: Writing the Inverted Pyramid Worksheet

Question 1

Explain the inverted pyramid structure in journalism. Include what information belongs at the top, middle, and bottom of a news story.

Accepted Answer

The inverted pyramid is a news-writing structure that puts the most important information at the beginning. The top includes the main facts, usually the who, what, when, where, why, and how. The middle adds important details, quotes, and background. The bottom includes less essential information that can be cut if space is limited.

Question 2

Read these facts and write a one-sentence news lead: The city library will reopen on Monday. It has been closed for six months for renovations. The reopening includes a new teen study room, upgraded computers, and longer evening hours. The library is located downtown.

Accepted Answer

The city library will reopen downtown on Monday after six months of renovations, offering a new teen study room, upgraded computers, and longer evening hours.

Question 3

Rank these details from most important to least important for a news story about a school board vote: A. The vote was 6-1. B. The board approved a later school start time. C. The change begins next fall. D. One board member said students need more sleep. E. The meeting lasted two hours.

Accepted Answer

The most important order is B, C, A, D, E. The main news is that the board approved a later school start time, followed by when it begins, the vote count, a relevant quote or reason, and the least important meeting detail.

Question 4

Rewrite this opinion-based sentence as an objective news sentence: The principal made a fantastic decision by adding more lunch options because the old menu was boring.

Accepted Answer

The principal announced that the school will add more lunch options after students raised concerns about the current menu.

Question 5

Identify the 5 Ws and H in this lead: Students at Lincoln High collected 2,400 cans of food during a two-week drive in November to support the county food bank.

Accepted Answer

The who is students at Lincoln High. The what is that they collected 2,400 cans of food. The when is during a two-week drive in November. The where is Lincoln High and the county food bank. The why is to support the county food bank. The how is through a food drive.

Question 6

Write the next paragraph after this lead using the inverted pyramid style: The girls soccer team won the regional championship Saturday night with a 2-1 overtime victory over Central High. Add supporting details and a quote.

Accepted Answer

A strong next paragraph would add key supporting facts, such as: Senior Maya Lopez scored the winning goal three minutes into overtime after Central tied the game late in the second half. Coach Dana Reed said the team stayed focused under pressure and earned the win through disciplined defense.

Question 7

A reporter has these notes about a fire drill: The drill happened at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday. It took four minutes for students to exit the building. The principal said the goal is to improve emergency readiness. Firefighters observed the drill. The school plans another drill next month. Write a short inverted pyramid news brief of 3 to 4 sentences.

Accepted Answer

A strong brief would say that students evacuated the school in four minutes during a fire drill at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday as part of an effort to improve emergency readiness. Firefighters observed the drill and gave feedback to school staff. The principal said the goal is to help students and teachers respond quickly and safely. The school plans to hold another drill next month.

Question 8

Look at the story structure shown in the diagram. Describe why editors often prefer inverted pyramid stories for breaking news.

Accepted Answer

Editors often prefer inverted pyramid stories for breaking news because readers get the main facts immediately. The structure also makes stories easier to shorten because less important details are placed near the end. This helps newsrooms publish updates quickly and clearly.

Question 9

Choose the stronger lead and explain why. Lead A: The weather was warm and many people gathered near the gym before the ceremony began. Lead B: More than 200 seniors received diplomas Friday night during Jefferson High School's graduation ceremony in the gym.

Accepted Answer

Lead B is stronger because it gives the main news clearly and includes important facts such as who, what, when, and where. Lead A begins with less important background and does not quickly explain the event.

Question 10

Plan an inverted pyramid article about a student council decision to install refillable water bottle stations. List three facts for the lead, three supporting details for the middle, and two details that could go near the end.

Accepted Answer

A strong plan would put the decision to install refillable water bottle stations, the location or number of stations, and the timeline in the lead. The middle could include the reason for the decision, a quote from student council, and information about funding. The end could include background about past student requests and a note about how students can give feedback.

Language Arts: Journalism: Writing the Inverted Pyramid

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