Story structures

Which structure to choose?  Writers need to understand story structures to choose what will best tell story.  Story will dictate what form to use  See story as blueprint to help determine what shape structure will take.  Think of story as structural model - building - to help during the reporting and writing phases.  Foundation = story idea.  Quotes and anecdotes support "floors" of the story.  Plan. Always gather more information than needed.  Write subheads - small, 3-6 word headlines - every few grafs to help organize story. Can remove the subheads.  Organize story in sequence that helps readers understand how one item leads to another.

Inverted pyramid  Basic story form.  Begins with summary lede.  Lede supported with specific information in next graf or two.  Body of story includes supporting detail.  Written from most important information - climax - at start of story to least important detail at end.  Use news judgment as to what's important.  Story structure gives reader crucial information quickly.  Primary structure for breaking news. Used frequently online. 1. Summary lede – most important info - climax 2. Specific info supports lede 3. Supporting detail 4. Trivia

Wall Street Journal  "Dow Jonesing"  Begin with specific topic  Expand into broader issue  Use soft lede that focuses on one person, scene or event – anecdote.  Nut graph - the story in a "nut"shell – theme. Tells what the story is about and why it is important.  Broadens to say why it’s important to more than one person.  End with a "circle kicker." Soft lede – specific person Nut graf Why important? – story broadens Circle kicker

Martini or Hourglass  Start story with a hard news summary lede.  Then proceed in chronological order.  Works well with dramatic action, police stories  When chronology begins, use overview attribution. Summary lede Backup graf supports lede Overview attribution Chronology

List  Summary news lede.  Add paragraphs of backup information.  List supporting points, using bullets.  Useful with several important points to make.  Limit lists to five items or less if list is high or in middle of story.  Too many list items will tire reader.  At end of story, list can be lengthy. Summary lede Backup graf List key points

Pyramid  Chronological storytelling,  How novels are written.  After lede comes foreshadowing - clues about something exciting or mysterious that will happen later.  Then chronological storytelling.  Works best in brief stories.  Suspense compels the reader to finish. Feature lede Foreshadowing Chronological storytelling

Sections  Divide story into sections.  Book chapters.  Separate sections with series of dots or large capital letter.  Each section presents different view or time element.  Useful for investigative, in-depth and lengthy feature stories  Organize story by points of view or time. Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four

Narrative  Stories have characters, settings, themes, conflicts, plots and resolutions.  Use suspense or compelling character to keep reader glued.  Climax - a surprise or twist - comes at the end.  Need fascinating scenes, dramatic dialogue and details.  Grab readers' attentions quickly  Intrigue them.  Satisfy curiosity. Grab readers’ attentions Use suspense, fascinating scenes, dialogue and details Climax