Nut graf

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In journalism, a nut graf (sometimes spelled nut graph or nut 'graph, and also called a billboard) is one or more paragraphs, particularly in a feature story, that explain the news value of the story.^[1]

In most news stories, the news style of writing is used, and the essential facts of a story are included in the lede (or lead), the first sentence or two of the story. For example, a story about crime statistics written in news style might start out with a lede like: "Violent crime is down in Anytown but shoplifting is soaring, according to statistics released by the Anytown Police Department Tuesday." Good ledes try to answer who, what, when, where, why and how as quickly as possible.

However, in feature stories, or in news written in a feature style, the story will often begin in a more narrative manner. For instance, if a story on crime statistics were written in feature style rather than news style, the first few paragraphs might start by introducing a local business owner who was affected by the boom in shoplifting. The nut graf, which often will start in the third or fourth paragraph, will explain what the story is about, including much but rarely all of the information that would have been contained in a lede, so as to keep the reader interested.