Basic rules of_journalism
- 1. Basic Rules of JournalismBasic Rules of Journalism The Inverted PyramidThe Inverted Pyramid
- 2. The Inverted PyramidThe Inverted Pyramid
- 3. The Inverted PyramidThe Inverted Pyramid The inverted pyramid calls for all theThe inverted pyramid calls for all the crucial information in a news story to be incrucial information in a news story to be in the first three paragraphs.the first three paragraphs. The less important information follows inThe less important information follows in the middle sectionthe middle section Information that is not crucial but would fillInformation that is not crucial but would fill the story out is included in the bottom thirdthe story out is included in the bottom third of the pyramid.of the pyramid.
- 4. The First Three ParagraphsThe First Three Paragraphs In simple terms:In simple terms: Par 1 Introduction (Intro)Par 1 Introduction (Intro) Par 2 Introduce the charactersPar 2 Introduce the characters Par 3 Develop the story furtherPar 3 Develop the story further
- 5. The Order of ImportanceThe Order of Importance The Inverted Pyramid leads us on to the secondThe Inverted Pyramid leads us on to the second rule of Journalism – The Order of Importance.rule of Journalism – The Order of Importance. Information should be included in order of itsInformation should be included in order of its importance. Ie. In a road accident, the number ofimportance. Ie. In a road accident, the number of deaths is far more important than how manydeaths is far more important than how many were seriously injured. Likewise those with minorwere seriously injured. Likewise those with minor injuries are more important than those who wereinjuries are more important than those who were uninjureduninjured
- 6. Order of ImportanceOrder of Importance It is the role of a Journalist to decide theIt is the role of a Journalist to decide the Order of Importance. The most importantOrder of Importance. The most important fact or facts must be in the Introduction (orfact or facts must be in the Introduction (or Intro - Par 1)Intro - Par 1) Ie. Three people died and three othersIe. Three people died and three others were seriously injured in a head-onwere seriously injured in a head-on collision in Great Barr this morning.collision in Great Barr this morning.
- 7. Order of ImportanceOrder of Importance The fact that five people escaped unhurt isThe fact that five people escaped unhurt is not that important and could easily be leftnot that important and could easily be left out if there was insufficient space.out if there was insufficient space. What would happen then if 300 peopleWhat would happen then if 300 people survived but two were killed in a trainsurvived but two were killed in a train crash?crash?
- 8. AnswerAnswer Two people died when an early morningTwo people died when an early morning train left the tracks just outside Selly Oaktrain left the tracks just outside Selly Oak this morning.this morning. A further 300 people escaped unhurtA further 300 people escaped unhurt when the London to Birmingham expresswhen the London to Birmingham express ploughed into an embankment a mile fromploughed into an embankment a mile from the station.the station.
- 9. Tell A Friend MethodTell A Friend Method One of the easiest ways to write an intro isOne of the easiest ways to write an intro is to think of it as if you were telling a friendto think of it as if you were telling a friend about the story in one sentence.about the story in one sentence. Example: Two planes crashed into theExample: Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York and thousandsTwin Towers in New York and thousands have been killed.have been killed.
- 10. Who, What, Where, When andWho, What, Where, When and HowHow One of the easiest ways to compile aOne of the easiest ways to compile a news story is to use the Who, What,news story is to use the Who, What, Where, When and How method.Where, When and How method.
- 11. Who, What, Where, When andWho, What, Where, When and HowHow Who – TerroristsWho – Terrorists What – Destroyed the Twin TowersWhat – Destroyed the Twin Towers Where – New YorkWhere – New York When – September 11 2001When – September 11 2001 How – They crashed hijacked planes intoHow – They crashed hijacked planes into the towersthe towers
- 12. Who, What, Where, When and HowWho, What, Where, When and How Likewise…Likewise… Who – A catWho – A cat What – Stuck Up A TreeWhat – Stuck Up A Tree Where – WatfordWhere – Watford When – This morningWhen – This morning How – Chased by a dogHow – Chased by a dog
- 13. This method can also be applied toThis method can also be applied to the introthe intro Example:Example: (who)(who) A car driverA car driver (what happened)(what happened) waswas seriously injured in a head-on collisionseriously injured in a head-on collision (where)(where) in Watfordin Watford (when)(when) earlier todayearlier today
- 14. QuotesQuotes Quotes usually appear from Par 4Quotes usually appear from Par 4 downwards as quotes usually just givedownwards as quotes usually just give opinions of the facts already reported inopinions of the facts already reported in the first three pars.the first three pars.
- 15. Assignment U50A3Assignment U50A3 Write an essay in a minimum of 500 wordsWrite an essay in a minimum of 500 words in which you outline the methods used byin which you outline the methods used by journalists to gather information and turn itjournalists to gather information and turn it into a news story.into a news story. Add your own research to the informationAdd your own research to the information included in this Powerpoint presentationincluded in this Powerpoint presentation and give examples.and give examples.
- 16. ContactContact If you require any further informationIf you require any further information speak to me personally or email:speak to me personally or email: ian.stpeters@westherts.ac.ukian.stpeters@westherts.ac.uk