Alternative Story Forms
A presentation by Andy Bechtel
Assistant professor, UNC-Chapel Hill
editdesk.blogspot.com
Overview
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What are alternative story forms?
Why try them?
The role of copy editors
Types and examples
Exercises
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.
One story, two ways
Another story two ways
A July 4th travel story before and
after.
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.”
What’s happening in our field
• More newsrooms are using
non-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.
The role of copy editors
• From the get-go
• During the edit
• In collaboration with designers
When to use story forms
• Recurring events, annual awards, etc.
• “Teachable moments” — complicated
issues and definitions of terms
• Updates, assessments and polls
When not to?
• If the story has
characters and plot, it
may be hard to tell
entirely in alternative
form. But never say
never.
Advantages
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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.
Examples of supplemental forms
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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.
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.
The
story
so far
Use these to give
your reader some
history or other
context.
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.
Mix and match —
and summarize
Exercise:
Find the
textbox
What
about
here?
Don’t forget
to edit
Don’t
forget
to edit
Examples of standalone forms
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Quiz/Q&A
By the numbers
Checklists and updates
Games
Previews and recaps
Photo galleries
Data-driven interactives (an example)
Breakdown
• Headline
• Intro text
• Q&A
• Credit
Ingredients of standalone ASFs
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Intro graf
Who, what, when
Themes
Logical flow
Call to action
Schedules/what’s next
Tips on making story forms work
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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
Recap:
GOP
debate
Q&A:
Machine
politics
Breaking it down: Spongeworthy
Game
Iraq update
The
short
form
Looking for
opportunities
— What CNN.com did.
For further studies:
www.newsu.org
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A course on this topic
Match the news to the form
Find the textbox
Remix a story
Share your work
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.”