The Wall Street Journal Formula

The Wall Street Journal Formula is the most commonly used format for feature stories. It typically contains four distinct parts:

1. starts off with a specific example most likely in an anecdotal, descriptive, or narrative lead
2. a nut graf that explains the main point of the story
3. the body of the story has quotes, facts, etc. that support the point of the story
4. it ends with an anecdote, description, or discusses possible future developments

An example of a feature story using this formula I found on the front page of
Feb. 22's Washington Post. The story is introduced with a descriptive lead: "Julie Zingeser texts at home, at school, in the car while her mother is driving. She texts during homework, after pompon practice and as she walks the family dog. She takes her cellphone with her to bed." The nut graf is the fifth paragraph of the story and tells more about the main point of the article, which is that parents and teachers are concerned about the effects of text messaging in many aspects of teens' lives.

The body of the story provides quotes and facts about the main point of the article.
"Nationally, more than 75 billion text messages are sent a month, and the most avid texters are 13 to 17, say researchers. Teens with cellphones average 2,272 text messages a month, compared with 203 calls, according to the Nielsen Co."

Lastly, the story comes to a close with a quote from the teenage girl Julie saying that she realizes the constant texting has consequences such as affecting her focus.

It concludes with "Still, she doubts she will change her text life anytime soon. "When I don't have my phone with me," she said, "I feel out of the loop.""




*picture from the article