the story cycle

The Story CycleJim Streisel, MJE

Carmel (IN) High School@CarmelJim

Saturday, July 5, 14

The process for every story

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

But it’s more cyclicalBrainstorm

Gather information

Write

Edit

Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

And it looks more like this

10%

40%

25%

20%

5% BrainstormGather informationWriteEditPublish

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

BrainstormWhere do story ideas come from?

What’s happening in your school? New policies? Upcoming events?TIMELINESS, IMPACT, CONFLICT, PROMINENCE are keys.

What’s happening in your community? The country? The world? LOCALIZATION is key.

Saturday, July 5, 14

BrainstormWhere do story ideas come from?

Ask yourself:WHY should readers care about this?

WHAT don’t they already know about this?HOW will this impact your readers?WHY are we telling this story now?

WHAT is the point of telling this story?

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

Gather InformationWhere does information come from?

1. Interviewing

2. Observation

3. Research

Saturday, July 5, 14

Gather InformationWhere does information come from?

1. Interviewing

2. Observation

3. Research

Saturday, July 5, 14

Gather InformationWhere does information come from?

1. Interviewing

2. Observation

3. Research

Saturday, July 5, 14

Observation

Particularly important for longer stories.

Three “D’s” (Detail, Description, Dialogue).

Use all of your senses.

Saturday, July 5, 14

Gather InformationWhere does information come from?

1. Interviewing

2. Observation

3. Research

Saturday, July 5, 14

ResearchWhere to get it?

Primary: Surveys, polls (not recommended)

Secondary: Pew Research, scholarly research, recent news itemsMain questions:

Is this information accurate HERE? If so, HOW?

If not, WHY NOT?

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

WriteTwo styles from which to choose.

Inverted pyramid: Good for news briefs, short news items, breaking news, timeLY stories

Narrative: Good for more timeLESS stories, angle-based stories, stories where you want to delve

into bigger questions for readers to consider

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

Saturday, July 5, 14

Let’s break down the process

Brainstorm Gather information Write Edit Publish

And do it all over again.

Saturday, July 5, 14