Synonyms:  literary journalism  Literary non-fiction  Literary realism  New Journalism  Feature  Journalistic narrative  Journalistic literature  Narrative Journalism

 New journalism  Factual fiction  Documentary narrative  The literature of actuality  Narrative Nonfiction  Jurnalistik sastrawi (Indonesia)

Definition:  It is a hybrid of literature and non-fiction: Literary elementsNon-fiction elements story/narrationessay form place/scene/settingexplanation/exposition characterizationstandard rhetorical patterns author personally engagedfocuses on ideas, facts (not language) literary voice/feelresearched facts artistic, instinctual polished language

 It presents a whole picture of the subject (holistic)—recognizes the complexity of the world/ the limits of what we can know.  It presents a way of looking at the world: --concrete examples, narration --grounded in self --interesting to the reader (and writer) --unique voice

 It presents documentable subject matter-- grounded in real-world facts and issues.  It presents useful, interesting facts based on exhaustive research.  The facts come alive through narration and setting—or well developed scenes (place).  It presents details that help the reader understand the main point.  It shows rather than tells.

 Whether it's called, literary journalism the type of writing defined by these terms is a blend of reporting and storytelling.  Unlike novelists, authors of narrative nonfiction must live with the fact that real people and real facts seldom conform very tidily to these conventions.  Reality is messy, and sometimes you have to put up with unsatisfying turns to the story.

The narrative journalist is necessarily wrapped up in social realism, and is, "in fact, a Romantic Reporter, who assumes that reality is to be found by focusing on internal, rather than external, human processes and movements; that feelings and emotions are more essential to understanding human life than ideas." (Connery 17).

Narrative Journalism does away with the inverted pyramid model of traditional journalism, which arranges:  Who  What  Where  When and  Why from the most important to the least important. Narrative Journalism breathes life into the five W's.

 WHO becomes a character  WHAT becomes an action  WHERE becomes a setting  WHEN becomes a chronology  WHY/HOW becomes a process

In contrast to "reporting," which merely imparts information, narrative journalism creates an "experience" for the reader. In other words, narrative journalism allows factual events to play out with characterization, rising and falling action, insight, dialogue, and resolution. The term "journalism" still implies the immediacy, accuracy, and newsworthiness of the subject matter, and guarantees that the newsgathering process of observation, interview, and review of documents is wholly applicable to the genre. The word "narrative," however, suggests a "literary" flavor.

According to Thomas Connery, author of A Sourcebook of American Literary Journalism, narrative journalism is distinct in that "style becomes part of the meaning conveyed; the structure and organization of language interpret and inform." (Connery 15). The following elements typify a well-told story in the narrative journalism approach.

 Presents the "voice" of the storyteller. Unlike traditional journalism, narrative journalism incorporates subjectivity with factual details, allowing the reader to connect with the writer on the level of impressions and emotions.  Places the action/characters in "time." That is, a context of history or mention of related events often accompanies the telling of the current action.

 Contains an underlying meaning or "symbolism." Snippets of the human experience are revealed through literary allusions, metaphors, and symbolism, rendering mental images more potent and memorable.

 Brings readers to a "destination,"and seeks to create a meaningful journey for the reader: "theme, purpose, reason, destination must be worthwhile to digest." (Nieman Program).  As writer Stephen Crane once advised, "Give readers a slice of life." (Connery 7). The glimpse into humanity is the outstanding feature of the genre.

 Aktual  Struktur piramida terbalik  Main point first  Lengkap  No link words  To inform  Panjang antara kata