Many different parts comprise an article. Understanding how they work can help organize your articles and streamline the thoughts and ideas you are trying to get across. Here are resources to help you structure your articles.
Ledes
The lede is “a flashlight shining down into the story.” In a few seconds, it’s your best chance to convince the reader to stay with you. It takes lots of practice to learn which ledes work best for your story, but it’s always easier when you’ve decided where you want your story to go. Click here for more on ledes.
Nut Graf
See above. This graf alerts readers to what your story is about and why they should care. It provides context and importance. It also will be your organizing tool throughout the story. List the main elements of your story. Then mention each one in the nut graf, the sine qua non of structure. Click here for more on nut grafs.
Global/Barnburner quote
This is your absolute best quote that affirms/supports/crystallizes the premise of the story. It immediately follows the nut graf. Not every story will have it, but more often than not, it’s there, particularly if you’ve decided early on what your story is about. You’ll then ask questions that prompt your sources to speak to your main premise. To keep readers engaged, weave in other storytelling quotes throughout.
Paragraphs/Main Elements/Topic Sentences
If you’ve written a strong nut graf, backed it up with a global quote, then your story uses each paragraph to explain and buttress the main elements of your story. Each paragraph should be a coherent whole, with a beginning, middle and end. Don’t jam a string of unrelated facts into the same paragraph. Start with an assertion, or topic sentence, then add 2-3 sentences to back it up, and one more to wrap it up. Pay attention, too, to your sentences. Mix up the length. A short sentence can stop the reader. A long one will allow you to string together important bits of information. Don’t start sentences with attribution; start with the strongest element. End your paragraphs strongly, too. Make it surprising, punchy or, at least, something that moves the reader onto the next graf.
Connections/Transitions/Hooks/Threads
A story’s flow will be immeasurably enhanced if each graf reads out of the preceding graf. Compare it to stitching, how the needle and thread pass from one graf to the next, seamlessly leading the reader to the next thought. Nothing loses a reader faster than unconnected paragraphs that don’t relate to one another. The simplest transition can be the repetition of a keyword in the preceding graf or “signal” words such as “meanwhile” or “instead” or “then” (Caution: Don’t let these words become a crutch; often there is a nimbler way to stitch together your grafs).
Endings
There’s not enough attention paid to endings. Some news stories just stop but most, with planning, don’t need to just die off. My favorite device is to bring the reader back to where you started, the lede. Come full circle, and tie it up in a nice bow for the reader. Sometimes, another quote that looks forward or summarizes your story will work. However you do it, remember that a graceful ending is a sure way to satisfy the reader. Click here for more on endings.
Additional Tips:
—Each new idea and each new quote should be a new paragraph.
—Quote attributions are best between quotes, at the end of the first sentence. Ex: "This internship is great," Rachel says. "I can't wait to get more hours."
—Transitions should also connect by idea (not just connected by transition words); the paragraphs should logistically flow based on the ideas being presented.