The easiest way to write nonfiction, especially for new writers, is to use the inverted pyramid.

This writing style works well in news stories, blogs, reports, even emails; anything where your goal is to communicate factual information.

The inverted pyramid puts the most important information first and less important information further down in the story. The further the story progresses the less important the information is.

Some say the inverted period began with the invention of the telegraph. The theory is that with the expense involved in sending telegrams newspaper reporters had to send only the most important information.

Others say the inverted pyramid started with the invention of the moveable type. Typesetters had to manually place letters in a tray, where they would go to the printing press. If the publication ran out of space for a story it was inconvenient to move letters around. Thus, writers put the most important information early so editors could simply remove letters from the bottom if space became short.

Whatever the origin of the inverted pyramid may be, it’s a fine way to tell a story.

Here are some benefits of this writing style:

It helps with comprehension.

Even if readers don’t get past the first few sentences they understand the story.

It stimulates interest.

Readers may get so involved in the story they’ll want to read on.

You keep your readers happy.

Have you ever listened to someone trying to tell you about an occurrence and it takes them forever to get to the point? Frustrating, isn’t it? The inverted pyramid avoids that.

Furthermore, the inverted pyramid is excellent for web writing because readers expect online stories to be short, to the point, and easily understood. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that reading online may be making us lazier readers, perhaps because of the sheer volume of information available. Therefore it’s more important than ever to get our most important information to our readers immediately.

There are four parts to the inverted pyramid, in this order.

The lead (sometimes called a direct lead or traditional lead), which tells who did what and perhaps when and where they did it.

The nut ‘graph (short for paragraph and sometimes called the nut graf), which provides the most important remaining information, including the where and when if they weren’t addressed in the lead.

The story’s body, including details and quotations.

Filler material.

Here’s a short example of an inverted pyramid story:

     Largo commissioners (who) voted unanimously (what) to build a new city hall Tuesday night. (when)

     The new structure will be built on the corner of Second and Orange Streets (where). Commissioners increased property taxes by two mills last month to raise the money for the new building, which will cost about $1 million. (This is the nut ‘graph.)

     Mayor Andy Martin said he hopes construction will start in March and be completed by the following January. (details)

     “This old building we’re currently in is no longer adequate,” commissioner Fred Thompson said. “The new building will allow us to better serve
     the community.”

     The vote capped what had been more than a year-long search for suitable land for the new city hall. The warehouse which formerly sat on the site of the new building was razed last year. (filler)

There are many stories where other writing styles work well, but you can't beat the inverted pyramid for quickly and effectively getting information to your readers.