Overview

1. Alternative Story FormsA presentation by Andy BechtelAssistant professor, UNC-Chapel Hilleditdesk.blogspot.com

2. Overview • What are alternative story forms? • Why try them? • The role of copy editors • Types and examples • Exercises

3. What are alternative story forms? • Anything that isn’t one of our traditional forms. We can still use inverted pyramid stories, anecdotal leads and other devices, but we can also tell stories and convey information in other ways. Consider these forms as just another option in brainstorming, writing and editing. • Supplemental and standalone forms.

4. One story, two ways

5. Another story two ways A July 4th travel story before and after.

6. Why do this? EyeTrack says… • Increased comprehension of information, regardless of medium. • “On average, we saw 15 percent more visual attention to alternative or ‘unconventional’ text than to regular text.”

7. What’s happening in our field • More newsrooms are usingnon-traditional story forms more often: Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk, Orlando, etc. • Journalists of all types are being asked to be proficient with numerous story forms. • Many newsrooms are creating ASF stylebooks. Copy editors should be involved.

8. The role of copy editors • From the get-go • During the edit • In collaboration with designers

9. When to use story forms • Recurring events, annual awards, etc. • “Teachable moments” — complicated issues and definitions of terms • Updates, assessments and polls

10. When not to? • If the story has characters and plot, it may be hard to tell entirely in alternative form. But never say never.

11. Advantages • Provide quick facts and deep context. • Can be “bite size.” • Offer variety and element of surprise. • Maintain core principles of accuracy, depth, checking value, etc.

12. Examples of supplemental forms • Developments and highlights • Timelines – past and future (What’s Next) • Bio/resume/job description • “The story so far” and “why they fight” – explainers for history, politics, etc. • Definers – explaining our terms • Calls to action – inviting reader interaction Feel free to mix and match these forms.

13. Timeline and a call to action Limit timelines to six items, or use photos or graphics to break up text if you have more than that. Look for ways to involve your reader — online forums, for example.

14. The story so far Use these to give your reader some history or other context.

15. Definer and What’s Next Many stories use words and terms that readers may not know. Help them out. Use schedules and itineraries to foreshadow the news ahead.

16. Mix and match — and summarize

17. Exercise:Find the textbox

18. What about here?

19. Don’t forget to edit

20. Don’t forget to edit

21. Examples of standalone forms • Quiz/Q&A • By the numbers • Checklists and updates • Games • Previews and recaps • Photo galleries • Data-driven interactives (an example) • Breakdown

22. Headline • Intro text • Q&A • Credit

23. Ingredients of standalone ASFs • Intro graf • Who, what, when • Themes • Logical flow • Call to action • Schedules/what’s next

24. Tips on making story forms work • Start strong: introduce your topic • Make it easy for the reader to scan • Maintain consistency: tone, tense, etc. • Focus and sharpen • Communicate, collaborate and coordinate

25. Recap:GOP debate

26. Q&A:Machine politics

27. Breaking it down: Spongeworthy

28. Game

29. Iraq update

30. The short form

31. Looking for opportunities — What CNN.com did.

32. For further studies: www.newsu.org • A course on this topic • Match the news to the form • Find the textbox • Remix a story • Share your work

33. Conclusions • Not all stories should be told in alternative forms, but many can. • Alternative story forms require teamwork and planning. Reporters, copy editors, photo editors and designers should be ready for increased collaboration. Copy editors can be the leaders. • Alternative story forms serve the reader. Said one student: “If newspapers did more of these, I’d read them more often.”