In-depth storytelling

GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive

Agenda

What is in-depth storytelling?

Why is it important?

Approaches to a long story

Outlines for stories and projects

Watchdog reporting

Visuals and other elements in a project

How do I do this and everything else?

In-depth storytelling

What is in-depth storytelling?

In-depth storytelling

Why should I be doing it?

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

Philip Pullman

In-depth storytelling

Why should I be doing it?

• Magid readers want in-depth news• Investigative stories top the list of content interests• 4 of top 7 content interests involve investigative• 2 more involve analysis, impact on readers

In-depth storytelling

Getting started: The idea

“By the way, when you’re telling these little stories, here’s a good idea: Have a POINT! It makes It so much more interesting for the listener.”

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”

Getting started

Michael Roberts, Pinnacle trainer

Getting started

Topics:

•Legalization of marijuana

•Sex assaults on college campuses

•Affordable Care Act

Focused ideas:

•Cannabis capitalism

•Profiles of campus rape counselors

•Numbers enrolled in your state/region; interviews with people who enrolled.

Difference between topics and focused ideas

Getting started

Developing ideas

•Frame idea as a “premise” not a “fact”

•Try to prove or disprove the premise (keep an open mind)

•Brainstorm and list the facts of the case

•Identify the theory of the case (test theory against facts)

•Build the case around the theory (account for facts that don’t support the case)

Getting started

Example: Cannabis capitalism

•Premise: Entrepreneurs are making millions in Colorado; this will be great for our area.

•Facts: Find out what business is like so far in Colorado, how much of an investment is it, how does Ohio differ?

•How do the facts, from your reporting, support your premise?

•Are there facts that don’t fit your theory? Why not? Is the theory faulty, or is there some reason you need to explain?

Getting started

Other techniques for fleshing out an idea

•Ask five questions a reader would ask about the topic. Answer those questions.

•Ask “why” five times. Each “why” should take you deeper into the topic and closer to the central question or premise.

•Point of view: Write your topic in the middle of a circle. Around the circle, list everyone with a connection to the story. Decide which person’s point of view might be the best way to tell a story.

Getting started

Other techniques for fleshing out an idea

•Point of view example

•Breaking news, car accident on Christmas Eve in snow. Dad killed; Mom unconscious; boy’s leg broken; girl (about 12) wasn’t injured. Deserted area with a farm house a couple of miles back. Girl was shy and afraid. Christmas presents in the car.

•On deadline, Jacqui Banaszynski wrote from the perspective of the little girl.

Organizing stories

Outlines

•Start organizing by writing your nut graph.

•Quickest outline: Jot outline – list key points in the order they will appear in the story.

•How long will your story be?

•What is your focus?

•What else is a part ofthe package? (More on this)

Organizing stories

Types of outlines

•Inverted pyramid: great for breaking news

•Blocks: work well for longer pieces; you write each block as a standalone piece, with a lead, to propel the story forward. You can move blocks around and move them out of the mainbar as a sidebar if a block just isn’t fitting.

Organizing stories

Types of outlines

•Layer cake: Anecdote or scene leads the story, followed by alternating sections of narrative and exposition, offering context.

•Wine glass: Top section conveys the whole story, often starting with the end. Transition introduces the chronological telling of the story, with a kicker ending.

Organizing stories

Organizing stories

Organizing stories

Organizing stories

Organizing stories

Why outline? Is this for every story?

•Outlines give you a chance to think about how to tell your story.

•Outlines ensure your best stuff is in the story.

•Outlines help your writing flow, keep readers engaged.

•Even for shorter, daily stories, outlines help you write more efficiently and point out holes where you might need more reporting. Plus, outlines keep your writing on track.

Organizing stories

In-depth doesn’t necessarily mean long

•Make each word count. Look critically at adjectives and adverbs, especially “-ly” adverbs.

“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it should be.”

Mark Twain

Organizing stories

In-depth doesn’t necessarily mean long

•Use quotes sparingly. They are not always the most efficient way to say something, and they are more powerful if they aren’t overused.

•Watch out for the sentence that contains several prepositions. It slows the writing.

Bottom line: You want to hold the reader’s attention through the whole story.

Organizing projects

Project planning and budgets

•If your in-depth story turns into a project, with sidebars, breakouts, graphics and other visuals, you’ll need a project budget.

•As your story takes shape, involve others in the planning of how your story will be displayed.

•Editors, photographers, design and graphics brainstorm with the reporter on how to make the story pop in print and online.

•Ideally, reporter and photographer go together for key interviews.

Organizing projects

Project budget template

•Myproject.mainbarXX – Nut graph, overview of project.Length: (include with each written element)

•Myproject.sidebarA – Short description.

•Myproject.graphicA – Quick description & connection to main story.

•Myproject.photos – List of photos for print/online.

•Myproject.video – Short description

Organizing projects

Reminders of visual options

Organizing projects

• Starts with reporters, who know the story best.

• Starts early in the process. If your story is already written, it’s too late.

• Ideally, conversations on design start with the idea.

• Important to keep photographers, designers and editors apprised of changes as you report.

Whose job is it to think of visuals?

Watchdog reporting

• Sometimes ideas present themselves as you delve into your beat: court records, tips, FOIAs.

• Ask yourself: Who cares? Is anyone harmed?

• Have a data state of mind. What records will help you tell your story.

• If an organization says the data doesn’t exist, does that mean the organization lacks info to do its job? That might be a story in itself.

How do you come up with ideas?

Watchdog reporting

• Discuss the idea with your boss to make sure your newsroom is on board.

• Before filing a request, have a conversation with someone from the agency to learn the nomenclature.

• Read the law and reread it every year.

• File the request. Remember, you aren’t writing it for the agency or the mayor. You are writing it for the judge in case your request is denied.

Step by step

Watchdog reporting

• Is there a state task force, advisory board or legislator who might have the info you need?

• If you can’t get the information, appeal.

Other options

Watchdog reporting

• Keep a spreadsheet or calendar on when you filed the request and when it is due.

• Make a copy of data before you start sorting it. Keep on making copies as you work with the data.

• Before you publish, check your analysis with the agency. Motto: No surprises.

• No comment is just a starting point. Let the organization or person know early in the process what you’re finding.

Tips

Watchdog reporting

• Read quotes to your sources and explain the story to them before it publishes. They will come after you. It’s better to know what they have before you publish.

• Be transparent about what you don’t know. It shows you don’t have the info not for lack of effort or intellectual curiosity.

• Look for loaded language in your writing: Don’t use claims, denies, failed to …

Tips

Time management

• Break up big projects into smaller chunks. Write an occasional series.

• Everyday enterprise: Look for ways to enrich regular stories.• Seek comparisons to other towns that have a similar

makeup.• Use state and national numbers to add context.• Write proactively instead of regurgitating yesterday’s

news.

How to make time for deep reporting

Time management

• Minimize distractions: email, social media, co-workers.

• Get organized.

• Use lists.

• Start the day by reaching out tosources.

• Make a list for tomorrow beforeyou leave tonight.

Other tips

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t• breaking news• press deadline• event coverage

• enterprise story• Facebook posts• some email

• some email• writing briefs• reader call

• chatting• cat videos• sixth cup of joe

Time management

• Once you’re organized and efficient, discuss priorities with your editor.

• Make progress every day to chip away at long-term projects.• Send an email.• Make a call.• Do some Google research.

Make time for what’s important

In-depth storytelling

GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive