Structuring Your Article: Inverted Pyramid and the "Q"

There are a few standard ways to structure a magazine article. The inverted pyramid is an old standby used in newspapers. The “Q” is one of the most common formulas used in magazine articles. Both formulas are built around the premise that you present your most important information first, and then explain its significance in the rest of the article.

The Inverted Pyramid

Newspaper stories are usually structured around an "inverted-pyramid" formula because they want to present the most important facts as soon as possible. After the first one or two paragraphs, all subsequent paragraphs in a straight news story simply enlarge upon or embellish the beginning, or "top."

The first paragraph is the most important, then the second, then the third and so on. Reporters learn to squeeze who, what, when, where, why and how into their lead if at all possible, and fill in the details below. Why do it this way? Because when a newspaper needs to be cut for length, an editor can simple begin at the end and cut as much as necessary while keeping the essence of the story intact.

The “Q”

The "Q" is the favorite of magazine editors. It’s a way to put the climax near the beginning, followed by explanation and an eventual reaffirmation of the premise at the end of the article.

In this type of article we start off our story at the bottom of our "Q." We write all around the subject and back to where we started, bringing the reader back to the beginning in some fashion. Then we finish up with a "twist" ending—some hint of the future or the broader significance of the overall thesis.

Editors use this “Q” formula a lot. It’s effective because it feels right or satisfying to the reader. Below is an example of the “Q” formula in action in an article titled Open Access—War & Peace on the Broadband Front. The first two paragraphs set up the lead, placing the main thrust of the article right up front:

The explosion of cable modem access is seemingly around the corner. According to Computer Economics, cable modem use will grow from 5.7 million installed systems in 2000 to 27.6 million systems in 2005. These spectacular projections have many Internet service providers looking toward a profitable future.

But, a second set of numbers is equally telling: Of the estimated 2 million consumers who subscribe to high-speed Internet access over cable lines, 97 percent get the service from Excite@Home or RoadRunner, owned by AT&T and Time Warner Inc. This stranglehold over cable modem access is heating up a battle over who controls the pipes into American homes and businesses.

The first two paragraphs provide the initial “set up” for the overall theme. The rest of the article brings in quotes, statistics and expert opinions that support the promise of the lead. The “Q” factor comes to play in the conclusion, where the lead is referenced and its further significance is hinted at:

And like the civil war, says McClure, the fight for open access will continue to heat up, pulling in everyone with a stake in Internet access. “The FCC is trying to maintain a balance between cable and long-distance companies because it will encourage competition. AT&T is concerned with how to best leverage their investment to deliver the best return for investors. And for ISPs, it’s a question of survival.”

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