STORYTELLING CONTENT How to effectively use a variety of media to inform readers/viewers/users WHAT IS STORYTELLING? Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images, [video] and sounds [often by improvisation or embellishment]. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture and in every land as a means of entertainment, education, preservation of culture and in order to instill moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot and characters, as well as the narrative point of view. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storytelling HOW IS PLOT USED? Order of events Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement EXPOSITION Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement Exposition is usually the introduction of place and character Conflict is what drives the story forward into “Rising Action” To journalists, “conflict” is the news peg, or reason for the story. RISING ACTION Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement Raising Action keeps the reader interested in the story, and drives them to the “climax” or the twist/surprise that leads to the climax. Don’t stop after the climax of the story. Move your reader/viewer/user into the “falling action” and the “dénouement.” CLIMAX Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement Climax is the major moment or turning point in the story. Journalistic stories often end at the climax or shortly after. It is seen as the final culmination of the story. Climax should lead to resolution of the story FALLING ACTION Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement After the climax is the “falling action,” that part of the story that shows the results of the conflict and the climax Leads to the end of the story DÉNOUEMENT Linear Story Arc Freytag’s pyramid Exposition – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Dénouement Dénouement ( dānoōˈmä ) is the conclusion of the story. “Simply put, dénouement is the unraveling or untying of the complexities of the plot.” Source: Wikipedia Might think of it as the “moral” of the story – the resolution that might lead to citizen or government action. Example: The Search for Edna Lavilla WHICH MEDIUM FOR THE MESSAGE Photographs – Emotions, Details, Low Overhead, Non-Linear. Requires visual and technical skills Audio – Adds life to photos and video, Texture, Emotion. Requires technical skill, getting close to source Video – Motion, “True” to life, Combines sight and sound. Requires technical skill, visual skill, editing skill, lots-o-time Text – Details, Concepts, Processes, Emotions, Familiar. Requires writing skills, ability to think in chunks Graphics – Help visualize numbers, concepts, locations, process. Requires artistic ability, computer skills, time MULTIMEDIA IDEAS Non-linear storytelling Think about how each medium contributes to the story Think about how various platforms affect the story Who is the audience AND who might be (alternate audience)? Dissect the story to better plan coverage and presentation Chunking and Alternative Story Forms ALTERNATIVE STORY FORMS Polls & Surveys Schedules fyi Box Definitions Checklist Stats box Quizzes Q & A Infographics Illustrations Maps Adapted from “Maximize Coverage” from balfour SITE MAP What are the components of the story: Who, What, Where? How should the information be organized? Navigation — go to any part of story from any page? Website, phone, social media, blog, traditional media Research for resources: maps, graphics, biographical info, documents, old pictures, archive audio or video (film) PHOTO STORIES • W. Eugene Smith Country Doctor • W. Eugene Smith Nurse Midwife • NYT story on families in deployment • Brad Vest CPOY Documentary • Pulitzer — Feature Photography • Kickstarter Photo Projects RESOURCES Digitalartwork.net Mercury News Photo Mediastorm.org InteractiveNarratives.org NPR.org CNN.com NPPA.org YouTube NewsU.org .