feature stories, alternative leads story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

26
Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Upload: rey-presnell

Post on 29-Mar-2015

234 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Feature stories, alternative leadsStory structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Page 2: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

So far …We’ve studied basic story

structures and leads that apply to breaking news stories, hard news, etc.

Stories that aren’t of those types are also prevalent in the media.

In these cases, we have the opportunity to take a more creative approach.

Page 3: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Other types of storiesAn umbrella term is “feature”

story.Non-breaking or hard news, these

stories are often about people doing unusual or interesting activities.

A feature story may be a more in-depth look at a particular aspect of a hard news story.

Reader has more time to spend with this type of story.

Page 4: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Feature storiesStill have a central point or

theme.Instead of the lead containing

that point or theme, it is contained in a “nut graph.”

Writer must sustain reader’s interest for a longer period of time.

Not in the inverted pyramid style – rather, more like a non-fiction short story.

Page 5: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Feature stories, cont.Lots of detail and description.“Paint a picture” with words.Writers choose a structure to

best tell the story.Good lead, strong body of the

story that moves smoothly from one point to the next, and a good ending.

Page 6: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Details, detailsFeature stories contain much

more detail and description than general news stories.

Instead of getting the reader a basic set of facts as quickly as possible (inverted pyramid style) the feature story enhances those facts with detail and description.

Page 7: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For exampleBASIC: He sat in a chair at his

desk.FEATURE: A large, soft executive

chair enveloped him as he sat behind a dark mahogany desk.

The feature example has more detail and the words work to paint a picture of the scene in the reader’s mind.

Page 8: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Description, cont.Describe the way things look,

sound, feel, smell, taste.Be specific. Don’t tell us

something sounds and looks peaceful.

Use specific words to let the reader know HOW it sounds and looks peaceful. Paint a picture with words.

Page 9: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Other characteristics Good use of direct quotes.They let us know how a person

speaks, give us insight into their character.

Just like we’ve discussed, don’t string a bunch of quotes together without a break, though.

Page 10: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Feature structureLead – draws people in and

prompts them to read further. Very important to craft a quality lead.

Nut graph – statement of the point of the story.

Body – details and narrative that tells the story.

The ending – A good anecdote or quote ties the story together.

Page 11: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

The leadUnlike inverted pyramid

structure, it’s OK to use anyone’s name in the lead.

Leads often set a scene. Sort of like a movie.

Can be more than one sentence.Serve the purpose of drawing

readers in to read the rest of the story.

Page 12: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Typical feature leadsDescription – describe the scene

for the reader. Draw them in with vivid, specific detail.

Contrast – draw a contrast between the normal situation and the unusual situation in your story.

Build on a good quote. If you’ve got an awesome quote, set it up for the reader with a paragraph of description.

Page 13: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For exampleJim McCluskey has a vision for

the future of radio. It begins in a cramped, 8-by-10-foot room in his house.

It’s a room filled with books and videotapes from his four years as a broadcasting professor at CMU.

There are also a couple computers, which run his radio network, and maps, for future station locations.

Page 14: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Example, cont.Then there is the washer and

dryer.Yes, the headquarters of his radio

network still functions as a laundry room.

Page 15: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

So …In the example, we describe the

scene with specific details. Details allow us to “see” a small, cramped laundry room that doubles as the headquarters of a low-power radio station.

Page 16: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Next stepAfter the lead paragraph(s), we

need a paragraph that tells us the point of the story, and sets up the rest of the body of the story.

This is often called a “nut graph.” Also might be called the hook, snapper, why paragraph, or some other odd name.

Page 17: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For exampleMcCluskey, 47, has been on the

air with a low-powered radio station for the past several months. It is the first step in what he envisions – a low-watt network of stations serving local communities and keeping oldies music alive.

Page 18: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Next stepBody of the story. Here we

provide more details about the theme, supported by quotes.

Answer all the reader’s questions and build on the premise from the lead and nut graph.

Make sure what you put in the body is relevant and important to the story. Leave everything else out.

Page 19: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For exampleDetails on how many low-

powered stations McCluskey envisions.

How does he think he can go about achieving his ambition.

What background does he have.What led to the idea of a low-

watt network.Technological changes that

contributed to the idea.

Page 20: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For example, cont.Radio requires content. What are

his ideas for content on this network?

Oldies music, local church broadcasts, rebroadcasts of old-time radio shows.

Possible other local programming ideas.

Page 21: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

When it’s time to endWith inverted pyramid news

stories, we end the story when we don’t have any more facts to present.

Feature stories require a planned ending. We want to leave the reader with a feeling of completeness.

Can be a short story related to the theme, a quote or tie back to the lead.

Page 22: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For exampleIt’s a lot of activity coming from

an 8-by-10-foot room.“We have everything we need in

here,” he said. “It’s not antiseptic, where everything is neat and clean. It’s community radio, grass roots radio. I’m just happy to be doing things to improve our quality.”

Page 23: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

For example, cont.There are plans to create a bit

more space in the room – the washer and dryer are moving elsewhere.

“The real problem is when you’re on the air and the buzzer goes off telling you the wash is done,” he said with a laugh.

Page 24: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Feature checklistCraft a good lead to draw people in.Nut graph lets the reader know what

the point of the story is, and sets up the rest.

Body of the story has detailed information and good quotes to further flesh out the nut graph.

A strong ending wraps things up and leaves reader with a feeling of completeness.

Page 25: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Details, detailsConcrete, specific details are

required in a good feature story.Paint a picture for the reader

using words to describe the experience.

Move smoothly from one point to the next.

Don’t forget, just like inverted pyramid style, these stories are written in the third person.

Page 26: Feature stories, alternative leads Story structure beyond the inverted pyramid

Questions?