Zimbabweans ill and dying from cholera crossing border
By Nkepile Mabuse
This article focuses on the cholera epidemic that is currently happening in Zimbabwe. It opens with the personal story of Chipo Matewe, who is eight months pregnant and who had to flee illegally to South Africa to get treatment for her cholera. She is one of many who 12,000 who are suspected to be affected.
The lede is very narrative. "Doctors worry about the woman sitting on a bed inside the large tent, an IV in her arm. Chipo Matewe, 23, is eight months pregnant and stricken with cholera." Words like "stricken" make it dramatic and eye catching.
The nut graph does not come until the fifth paragraph, when the writer reveals that doctors in Zimbabwe estimate the death tole to be 1000. While Chipo's case is heartbreaking, it is the extent of the epidemic that will make readers care about the article.
There was only one quote by Chipo through the entire article. I would have liked to see more from officials, as the information seemed a little source-less without it.
The ending is a wrap up that looks towards the future. It is not a quote.
1 comment:
Interesting story to analyze. I always love reading hard news pieces that begin with anecdotal or narrative ledes; it makes me feel like I'm reading a story.
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