The inverted pyramid and the first paragraph

A news report is written for a busy reader who may stop at any moment. So the most important facts go first and the details follow, in order of importance. This shape is called the inverted pyramid.

## The six questions
Before you write, answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Not all six belong in the first paragraph, but you must know the answers.

## The first paragraph (the lead)
The lead tells the reader what happened and why it matters, usually in one sentence of about 25 to 35 words.
- Weak: "A meeting was held on Monday in the district office where many issues were discussed."
- Strong: "The district administration will shut 14 schools in flood-hit villages from Tuesday after water entered classrooms, the collector said on Monday."

The strong lead says who decided, what will happen, where, when and why — and who said so.

## After the lead
- Second paragraph: the next most important fact, or who said it and how.
- Then the details, the background and the reactions.
- Keep paragraphs short — one idea each.
- End when the facts end. A news report does not need a conclusion or a moral.