Every story goes through a process from brainstorming to information gathering to publishing.

1. The Story Cycle
Jim Streisel, MJE
Carmel (IN) High School
@CarmelJim
Saturday, July 5, 14

2. The process for every story
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

3. But it’s more cyclical
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write
Edit
Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

4. And it looks more like this
10%
40%
25%
20%
5% Brainstorm
Gather information
Write
Edit
Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

5. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

6. Brainstorm
Where do story ideas come from?
What’s happening in your school? New policies? Upcoming events?
TIMELINESS, IMPACT, CONFLICT, PROMINENCE are keys.
What’s happening in your community? The country? The world?
LOCALIZATION is key.
Saturday, July 5, 14

7. Brainstorm
Where do story ideas come from?
Ask yourself:
WHY should readers care about this?
WHAT don’t they already know about this?
HOW will this impact your readers?
WHY are we telling this story now?
WHAT is the point of telling this story?
Saturday, July 5, 14

8. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

9. Gather Information
Where does information come from?
1. Interviewing
2. Observation
3. Research
Saturday, July 5, 14

10. Gather Information
Where does information come from?
1. Interviewing
2. Observation
3. Research
Saturday, July 5, 14

11. Gather Information
Where does information come from?
1. Interviewing
2. Observation
3. Research
Saturday, July 5, 14

12. Observation
Particularly important for longer stories.
Three “D’s” (Detail, Description, Dialogue).
Use all of your senses.
Saturday, July 5, 14

13. Gather Information
Where does information come from?
1. Interviewing
2. Observation
3. Research
Saturday, July 5, 14

14. Research
Where to get it?
Primary: Surveys, polls (not recommended)
Secondary: Pew Research, scholarly research, recent news items
Main questions:
Is this information accurate HERE?
If so, HOW?
If not,WHY NOT?
Saturday, July 5, 14

15. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

16. Write
Two styles from which to choose.
Inverted pyramid: Good for news briefs, short news items,
breaking news, timeLY stories
Narrative: Good for more timeLESS stories, angle-based stories,
stories where you want to delve
into bigger questions for readers to consider
Saturday, July 5, 14

17. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

18. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
Saturday, July 5, 14

19. Let’s break down the process
Brainstorm
Gather
information
Write Edit Publish
And do it all over again.
Saturday, July 5, 14