The "Wall Street Journal" Formula

The "Wall Street Journal" formula is widely used for feature stories. The formula consists of four main parts:
1. opens with a specific example, uses type of feature lead
2. nuf graf explains the point and what the story's about
3. body supports the general point
4. typically ends with another anecdote or description, or predicts future development related to the lead

Let's take a look at this example from the New York Times about the late song writer, Catalino Curet Alonso, aka Tite. The story opens with a descriptive lead; "He never did give up that day job, laboring in the Postal Service in Puerto Rico for more than 30 years," that continues on for another paragraph with a quote describing Tite's career in salsa music. In the third paragraph, the nut graf reveals the point of the story; five years after Tite's death Fania Records is releasing a two disc CD of his 31 most popular compositions. When we reach the body of the story, we learn facts about Tite's life writing music from a young age and his career in music.

“Dad was always writing songs, at home and out on the street, from sunrise until he went to sleep,” Ms. Curet recalled.

This story ends with a quote describing Tite's love of music by a friend and fellow musician, Ruben Blades.

"“I wish now, looking back, that I had asked him more questions, because he had a lot to teach,” said Mr. Blades, who suspended a tour so he could attend Mr. Curet’s funeral in San Juan. “That man loved music and culture and words and ideas, and talking about all of those things. He was just exceptional in every way.”

*picture from the article in New York Times