This document provides an overview and agenda for in-depth storytelling. It discusses what in-depth storytelling is, why it is important for engaging readers, and how to develop story ideas, organize narratives, incorporate visual elements, conduct watchdog reporting, and manage time for in-depth work. Approaches covered include developing focused ideas, outlining techniques like blocks and layers, budgeting multimedia projects, utilizing records through FOIA requests, and prioritizing important tasks.

1. In-depth storytelling
GateHouse Media
News & Interactive

2. Agenda
What is in-depth storytelling?
Why is it important?
Approaches to a long story
Outlines for stories and projects
Watchdog reporting
Visuals and other elements in a project
How do I do this and everything else?

3. In-depth storytelling
What is in-depth storytelling?

4. In-depth storytelling
Why should I be doing it?
“After nourishment, shelter and
companionship, stories are the
thing we need most in the world.”
Philip Pullman

5. In-depth storytelling
Why should I be doing it?
• Magid readers want in-depth news
• Investigative stories top the list of content interests
• 4 of top 7 content interests involve investigative
• 2 more involve analysis, impact on readers

6. In-depth storytelling
Getting started: The idea
“By the way, when you’re telling
these little stories, here’s a good
idea: Have a POINT! It makes It so
much more interesting for the
listener.”
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”

7. Getting started
Michael Roberts, Pinnacle trainer

8. Getting started
Difference between topics and focused ideas
Topics:
•Legalization of marijuana
•Sex assaults on college
campuses
•Affordable Care Act
Focused ideas:
•Cannabis capitalism
•Profiles of campus rape
counselors
•Numbers enrolled in your
state/region; interviews with
people who enrolled.

9. Getting started
Developing ideas
•Frame idea as a “premise” not a “fact”
•Try to prove or disprove the premise (keep an open mind)
•Brainstorm and list the facts of the case
•Identify the theory of the case (test theory against facts)
•Build the case around the theory (account for facts that don’t
support the case)

10. Getting started
Example: Cannabis capitalism
•Premise: Entrepreneurs are making millions in Colorado; this
will be great for our area.
•Facts: Find out what business is like so far in Colorado, how
much of an investment is it, how does Ohio differ?
•How do the facts, from your reporting, support your premise?
•Are there facts that don’t fit your theory? Why not? Is the
theory faulty, or is there some reason you need to explain?

11. Getting started
Other techniques for fleshing out an idea
•Ask five questions a reader would ask about the topic. Answer
those questions.
•Ask “why” five times. Each “why” should take you deeper into
the topic and closer to the central question or premise.
•Point of view: Write your topic in the middle of a circle. Around
the circle, list everyone with a connection to the story. Decide
which person’s point of view might be the best way to tell a
story.

12. Getting started
Other techniques for fleshing out an idea
•Point of view example
•Breaking news, car accident on Christmas Eve in snow. Dad
killed; Mom unconscious; boy’s leg broken; girl (about 12)
wasn’t injured. Deserted area with a farm house a couple of
miles back. Girl was shy and afraid. Christmas presents in the
car.
•On deadline, Jacqui Banaszynski wrote from the perspective of
the little girl.

13. Organizing stories
Outlines
•Start organizing by writing your nut graph.
•Quickest outline: Jot outline – list key points in the order they
will appear in the story.
•How long will your story be?
•What is your focus?
•What else is a part of
the package? (More on this)

14. Organizing stories
Types of outlines
•Inverted pyramid: great for breaking
news
•Blocks: work well for longer pieces;
you write each block as a standalone
piece, with a lead, to propel the story
forward. You can move blocks around
and move them out of the mainbar as a
sidebar if a block just isn’t fitting.

15. Organizing stories
Types of outlines
•Layer cake: Anecdote or scene leads
the story, followed by alternating
sections of narrative and exposition,
offering context.
•Wine glass: Top section conveys the
whole story, often starting with the
end. Transition introduces the
chronological telling of the story, with
a kicker ending.

16. Organizing stories

17. Organizing stories

18. Organizing stories

19. Organizing stories

20. Organizing stories
Why outline? Is this for every story?
•Outlines give you a chance to think about how to tell your
story.
•Outlines ensure your best stuff is in the story.
•Outlines help your writing flow, keep readers engaged.
•Even for shorter, daily stories, outlines help you write more
efficiently and point out holes where you might need more
reporting. Plus, outlines keep your writing on track.

21. Organizing stories
In-depth doesn’t necessarily mean long
•Make each word count. Look critically at adjectives and
adverbs, especially “-ly” adverbs.
“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’
your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it
should be.”
Mark Twain

22. Organizing stories
In-depth doesn’t necessarily mean long
•Use quotes sparingly. They are not always the most efficient
way to say something, and they are more powerful if they aren’t
overused.
•Watch out for the sentence that contains several prepositions.
It slows the writing.
Bottom line: You want to hold the reader’s attention through
the whole story.

23. Organizing projects
Project planning and budgets
•If your in-depth story turns into a project, with sidebars, breakouts,
graphics and other visuals, you’ll need a project budget.
•As your story takes shape, involve others in the planning of how your
story will be displayed.
•Editors, photographers, design and graphics brainstorm with the
reporter on how to make the story pop in print and online.
•Ideally, reporter and photographer go together for key interviews.

24. Organizing projects
Project budget template
•Myproject.mainbarXX – Nut graph, overview of project.
Length: (include with each written element)
•Myproject.sidebarA – Short description.
•Myproject.graphicA – Quick description & connection to main
story.
•Myproject.photos – List of photos for print/online.
•Myproject.video – Short description

25. Organizing projects
Reminders of visual options

26. Organizing projects
Whose job is it to think of visuals?
• Starts with reporters, who know the story best.
• Starts early in the process. If your story is already written, it’s
too late.
• Ideally, conversations on design start with the idea.
• Important to keep photographers, designers and editors
apprised of changes as you report.

27. Watchdog reporting
How do you come up with ideas?
• Sometimes ideas present themselves as you delve into your
beat: court records, tips, FOIAs.
• Ask yourself: Who cares? Is anyone harmed?
• Have a data state of mind. What records will help you tell
your story.
• If an organization says the data doesn’t exist, does that mean
the organization lacks info to do its job? That might be a story
in itself.

28. Watchdog reporting
Step by step
• Discuss the idea with your boss to make sure your newsroom
is on board.
• Before filing a request, have a conversation with someone
from the agency to learn the nomenclature.
• Read the law and reread it every year.
• File the request. Remember, you aren’t writing it for the
agency or the mayor. You are writing it for the judge in case
your request is denied.

29. Watchdog reporting
Other options
• Is there a state task force,
advisory board or legislator
who might have the info
you need?
• If you can’t get the
information, appeal.

30. Watchdog reporting
Tips
• Keep a spreadsheet or calendar on when you filed the
request and when it is due.
• Make a copy of data before you start sorting it. Keep on
making copies as you work with the data.
• Before you publish, check your analysis with the agency.
Motto: No surprises.
• No comment is just a starting point. Let the organization or
person know early in the process what you’re finding.

31. Watchdog reporting
Tips
• Read quotes to your sources and explain the story to them
before it publishes. They will come after you. It’s better to
know what they have before you publish.
• Be transparent about what you don’t know. It shows you
don’t have the info not for lack of effort or intellectual
curiosity.
• Look for loaded language in your writing: Don’t use claims,
denies, failed to …

32. Time management
How to make time for deep reporting
• Break up big projects into smaller chunks. Write an
occasional series.
• Everyday enterprise: Look for ways to enrich regular
stories.
• Seek comparisons to other towns that have a similar
makeup.
• Use state and national numbers to add context.
• Write proactively instead of regurgitating yesterday’s
news.

33. Time management
Other tips
• Minimize distractions: email, social media, co-workers.
• Get organized.
• Use lists.
• Start the day by reaching out to
sources.
• Make a list for tomorrow before
you leave tonight.

34. Time management
not urgent
unimportant
urgent
important
urgent
+
important
not urgent
+
important
urgent
+
unimportant
not urgent
+
unimportant

35. Time management
not urgent
unimportant
urgent
important
• breaking news
• press deadline
• event coverage
• enterprise story
• Facebook posts
• some email
• some email
• writing briefs
• reader call
• chatting
• cat videos
• sixth cup of joe

36. Time management
Make time for what’s important
• Once you’re organized and efficient, discuss priorities with
your editor.
• Make progress every day to chip away at long-term
projects.
• Send an email.
• Make a call.
• Do some Google research.

37. In-depth storytelling
GateHouse Media
News & Interactive