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Story Crafting for Media Students

The document provides guidance on developing news stories, noting that the audience and focus of the publication should be considered when choosing story ideas and angles. Researching topics through both online sources and interviews with experts is recommended to fully understand the issues. Stories generally start with an attention-grabbing headline and introduction, followed by a body with quotes and facts to support points. Paragraphs should flow smoothly and provide just enough information to keep readers engaged without boring them. The conclusion ties all elements together and may include a final twist or call to action. Developing a clear voice through practice is important for crafting good stories.

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Shikhar Sharma
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50 views2 pages

Story Crafting for Media Students

The document provides guidance on developing news stories, noting that the audience and focus of the publication should be considered when choosing story ideas and angles. Researching topics through both online sources and interviews with experts is recommended to fully understand the issues. Stories generally start with an attention-grabbing headline and introduction, followed by a body with quotes and facts to support points. Paragraphs should flow smoothly and provide just enough information to keep readers engaged without boring them. The conclusion ties all elements together and may include a final twist or call to action. Developing a clear voice through practice is important for crafting good stories.

Uploaded by

Shikhar Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Developing a story

When we brainstorm story ideas, first we get clear about who all are our
readers. As per our focus, we decide on what kind of angles, twists,
figures, opinions are required to treat the topic.

Our tabloid is not for general audience. We are writing for media students,
academicians, and youngsters. Though we are more open to varied
content, we tailor our stories to reflect our focus on.

Doing online research is good, but it may only get you so far. You may
also need to talk to experts and other stakeholders to make sure you are
fully aware of the issues surrounding a topic.

We generally start our story with an attractive headline and then a blurb
or intro to kick-start it by posing a question or we give a nut graph.

The purpose of the intro or lead is to capture the attention of the readers
and entice them to read further into the story.

In the body: we flow the story in sequence. We quote experts and others
to substantiate our points. Quotes are used to add life to an
article. However, a quote should appear only when necessary. Long,
drawn out and ordinary quotes should be avoided. Quotes normally give
a sense of getting to know a person and readers expect a quote to reveal
something important.

Pace.. The story should develop to give readers only as much information
in each paragraph as is needed. Too much too soon kills the article and
has the effect of boring the reader.

Moving right along…Paragraphs should flow so that readers do not


feel any sudden jolting changes of subject. The trick is to use a
transitional/connecting word or phrase.

While concluding the story, we should tie everything together and


sum up the article. There are many ways like: an anecdote or story
that explains the point of the article; saving an explosive piece of
information until the last paragraph; an unexpected twist; a ‘call to
action’ or a recommendation.

Colour, detail, truth, insight, very cautious use of describing words,


surprises, cheekiness, a lack of pretension, different perspectives and a
modest quantity of unlaboured humour..

Good stories are all about having a clear, distinctive voice. One can only
develop that through plenty of practice.

Journalists report on something quite mundane but bring it to life through


a neat turn of phrase and a touch of irreverence.

While planning a story if you get your idea across clearly and
succinctly, the story will write itself. If the ideation itself is a sloppy
unfocussed mess, you'll have trouble knowing what the story is about.
Crappy ideation sometimes leads to a confused copy.

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