The inverted pyramid paragraph is a basic structure for all journalistic writing-from one paragraph to a 20-page paper.
Broadest To Narrowest
Each paragraph begins with a core assertion.
The remaining sentences in the paragraph prove, support, or explain the core assertion. They are sourced as necessary and move:
In decreasing order of importance or . . .
From highest to lowest level of generality or detail.
Thus, a paragraph begins with a bang and ends with a whimper.
This design gives the busy reader the most important thing first.
Each paragraph has only one main point.
The core assertion has absolute control over what else is in the paragraph.
If you promise the reader in the core assertion that you will discuss A, you can't go on to talk about B, C, and D.
Each paragraph can be two to five sentences.
Three Types
The inverted pyramid paragraph has three versions.
Each varies in the kind of support it gives its core assertion.
Version I
Begins with a core assertion. Core Assertion
Statements of evidence follow the core assertion.
They are facts that prove the core assertion. They are in decreasing order of importance or from highest to lowest level of generality or detail.
They are sourced as necessary.
Contextual data (CD)-if relevant-end the paragraph.
They are facts, attributed to a source, that add texture, richness, backdrop.
They are "oh-by-the-way" statements and are not strictly speaking evidence.
Version II
Begins with a core assertion, which is the primary judgment in the Core Assertion paragraph.
Secondary judgments (SJ) follow the core assertion.
They provide additional analysis of or insights on the core assertion and are in decreasing order of importance or from highest to lowest level of generality or detail.
Version II is a paragraph of speculation, premises, conjecture, interpretation.
Alert the reader with phrases like "we believe."
Version III
Begins with a core assertion.
Blends evidence , secondary judgments (SJ), and contextual data (CD).
In decreasing order of importance or from highest to lowest level of generality or detail. and CD
follow the core assertion.
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