JMC 457
Lecture Notes 2
Arizona State University
Spring 2023
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Form and Organization in News Stories
Definition of News Story
A news story is a report of an event or situation that is of interest to a particular audience. It is a
type of journalistic writing that aims to inform and educate the public about current events,
issues, and trends. News stories are an essential part of journalism, and they play a crucial role in
shaping public opinion, raising awareness, and promoting accountability. To achieve these
objectives, news stories must be well-written, well-structured, and well-organized.
A news story is a factual account of an event or situation that has relevance or significance to a
particular audience. It is a piece of writing that aims to inform, educate, and engage readers or
viewers. News stories can cover a wide range of topics, including politics, crime, science,
technology, entertainment, sports, and human interest. To be considered a news story, the content
must be newsworthy, relevant, and timely.
Importance of Form and Organization in News Stories
Form and organization are critical components of news stories. A well-written news story
should have a clear and concise structure that enables readers or viewers to follow the
narrative easily. It should have a compelling lead or headline that grabs the reader's
attention, and it should be organized in a way that presents information logically and
coherently. The importance of form and organization in news stories is highlighted by the
fact that readers or viewers are more likely to engage with content that is well-structured
and easy to read.
According to John Russial, in his book "The News Business," the form and organization
of news stories are essential because they allow journalists to communicate complex
information in a way that is easy for readers or viewers to understand. Russial explains
that the inverted pyramid structure, which places the most critical information at the
beginning of the story and gradually decreases in importance, is one of the most effective
ways of organizing news stories.
Another expert in journalism, James Glen Stovall, emphasizes the importance of form
and organization in his book "Writing for the Mass Media." Stovall explains that the
organization of news stories should be logical and follow a specific order that makes
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sense to the reader. He notes that a news story should have a clear beginning, middle, and
end, and that each section should flow smoothly into the next.
The definition of a news story is a factual account of an event or situation that has
relevance or significance to a particular audience. The form and organization of news
stories are crucial because they enable journalists to communicate complex information
in a way that is easy for readers or viewers to understand. The inverted pyramid structure
and logical organization are effective ways of presenting news stories to the public.
II. Key Area 1: Inverted Pyramid
The inverted pyramid structure is a writing style used in journalism where the most important
information is presented at the beginning of the article, followed by supporting details in
descending order of importance. This structure has become the standard format for news stories,
with journalists using it to convey essential information to readers quickly and efficiently.
Definition and History of the Inverted Pyramid Structure
The inverted pyramid structure dates back to the 19th century and was used primarily by
telegraph operators who had to send news reports quickly over long distances. This structure
allowed them to convey the most crucial information first, followed by the supporting details. It
was later adopted by newspapers and other forms of media and has since become the standard
structure for news stories.
The inverted pyramid structure is also called the "front-loaded" structure, as the most critical
information is presented at the beginning of the article. This structure ensures that readers get the
essential details even if they don't have time to read the entire article.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Inverted Pyramid
Advantages of using the inverted pyramid structure in news writing include:
Readers get the most critical information first, making it easier for them to understand the
story even if they don't have time to read the whole article.
Editors can quickly cut an article from the bottom without losing any essential
information.
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It's a straightforward structure that can be taught to new journalists and writers.
Disadvantages of using the inverted pyramid structure include:
It can make articles feel formulaic and predictable, which can lead to readers losing
interest.
It can be challenging to make an article engaging when the most crucial information is
presented at the beginning.
It can be challenging to include important context and background information in an
inverted pyramid structure without disrupting the flow of the article.
Examples of News Stories That Use the Inverted Pyramid Structure
Some examples of news stories that use the inverted pyramid structure include:
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy: The most critical information, that
President Kennedy had been shot and killed, was presented at the beginning of news
reports, followed by supporting details.
The September 11 terrorist attacks: News reports presented the most crucial information,
that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center, at the beginning of articles,
followed by supporting details
Hurricane Katrina: News reports on Hurricane Katrina presented the most crucial
information, such as the extent of the damage and the number of casualties, at the
beginning of the story. The supporting details, such as the timeline of events and the
government's response, were presented later in the article.
The Boston Marathon bombing: News stories on the Boston Marathon bombing began
with the most critical information, such as the number of casualties and the identity of the
suspects. Supporting details, such as the background of the suspects and the investigation,
were provided later in the article.
The death of Nelson Mandela: News reports on the death of Nelson Mandela began with
the most critical information, that the former South African president had passed away,
followed by details of his life and legacy.
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The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: News stories on the COVID-19 pandemic
began with the most crucial information, such as the number of cases and deaths, as well
as information on the spread of the virus. Supporting details, such as government
responses and health recommendations, were provided later in the article.
The impeachment of former US President Donald Trump: News stories on the
impeachment of former President Donald Trump began with the most crucial
information, such as the charges against him and the vote in Congress. Supporting details,
such as the trial proceedings and reactions from politicians and the public, were provided
later in the article.
III. Key Area 2: Narrative Structure
Narrative structure is a way of organizing information in a story that makes it easier for the
audience to understand and follow. It is commonly used in news stories to help journalists tell a
story in a way that engages the reader and makes them care about the topic. In this lecture, we
will discuss the definition and characteristics of narrative structure in news stories, the
advantages and disadvantages of using it, and examples of news stories that use narrative
structure.
A. Definition and Characteristics of Narrative Structure in News Stories
Narrative structure is the way in which a story is organized, including its plot, characters, and
setting. In news stories, the use of narrative structure involves the following characteristics:
It has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
It includes a protagonist, an antagonist, and a conflict.
It is usually chronological, with events presented in the order they occurred.
It includes descriptive details that help the reader visualize the story.
Using narrative structure in news stories can help make complex issues more understandable to
readers. It can also make the story more engaging and memorable.
B. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Narrative Structure
Advantages:
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It helps readers connect emotionally with the story and the people involved.
It can make a complicated issue easier to understand.
It can make the story more engaging and memorable.
Disadvantages:
It may oversimplify complex issues or ignore important details.
It may focus too much on the individual story and not enough on the broader issue.
It may be seen as biased if the narrative is overly sympathetic or unsympathetic to one
side.
C. Examples of News Stories That Use Narrative Structure
1. The New York Times article "They Wanted to Raise Consciousness. They Ended Up in
Jail." by Emily Bazelon uses narrative structure to tell the story of activists who were
arrested for protesting a pipeline.
IV. Key Area 3: Multimedia Storytelling
I. Definition and Importance of Multimedia Storytelling in News
Multimedia storytelling is the use of various media forms, such as text, images, audio,
video, and interactive elements, to tell stories.
It is important in news because it enhances the audience's engagement and understanding
of the story.
According to a study by Pew Research Center, 72% of adults in the United States get
their news from digital platforms, and multimedia storytelling can help news
organizations stand out in the crowded online news environment.
II. Different Types of Multimedia Storytelling
Video: News organizations can use video to show events or tell stories in a more
compelling way than text or images alone.
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Audio: Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular, and news organizations can use
audio to tell stories in a more immersive way.
Infographics: Infographics can help explain complex data or concepts in a visually
engaging way.
Interactive elements: Interactive elements, such as quizzes, maps, and timelines, can help
readers understand the context of a story and engage with the content.
III. Examples of News Organizations that Excel in Multimedia Storytelling
The New York Times: The New York Times has won numerous awards for its
multimedia storytelling, including the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 2021. Its
"The 1619 Project," which explores the legacy of slavery in the United States, includes a
variety of multimedia elements, including audio, video, and interactive features.
Importance of choosing the appropriate form and organization for the content of a news
story
Journalism is one of the most critical and essential elements of democracy, providing
people with the information they need to make informed decisions. The way news is
presented to readers or viewers is just as important as the content itself.
Choosing the right form and organization for a news story can have a significant impact
on its effectiveness in conveying the message. This lecture notes discussion will examine
the importance of selecting the appropriate form and organization for a news story and
future trends in news story form and organization.
Form and Organization in News Story Writing
Form refers to the structure of the news story.
Organization refers to the way information is presented within the news story.
Importance of Choosing the Appropriate Form and Organization
Informs the Audience
Form and organization help to ensure that the news story is clear and
informative.
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A well-structured news story ensures that the most important information
is conveyed first.
Proper organization helps to create a coherent flow of information.
Keeps the Audience Engaged
The form and organization of a news story can impact the way the
audience perceives and receives the information.
An engaging and visually appealing news story is more likely to grab the
audience's attention and keep them engaged.
Builds Credibility
Proper form and organization can increase the credibility of a news story.
A well-organized news story shows that the journalist has taken the time
to research and present the information in a clear and concise manner.
Future Trends in News Story Form and Organization
Digitalization
With the rise of digital media, news stories are becoming shorter and more
visually appealing.
Multimedia elements such as videos, infographics, and images are
becoming more prevalent in news stories.
Social media is also becoming an increasingly important platform for
news distribution.
Personalization
Personalization in news stories is becoming more popular, as audiences
seek stories that are relevant to their interests.
News organizations are using algorithms to curate news stories that are
tailored to individual readers' interests.
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Mobile Optimization
News organizations are optimizing their news stories for mobile devices as
more and more people consume news on their smartphones.
This includes using shorter headlines, more concise writing, and
multimedia elements that are optimized for mobile screens.
Choosing the appropriate form and organization for a news story is critical to its success.
Proper form and organization help to ensure that the news story is clear, engaging, and
credible. With the rise of digital media, personalization, and mobile optimization, the
future of news story form and organization is constantly evolving.
It is essential for journalists and news organizations to stay up- -date with these trends to to
remain relevant and provide their audience with the information they need to make
informed decisions.
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References
"News Storytelling: The Current State and Future of Form and Function" by Matthew Powers,
the author discusses the current state and future trends in news story form and function.
"The Effect of Digital Technology on Journalism and Democracy: Theoretical Reflections" by
Daniel Kreiss, the author discusses the impact of digital technology on journalism and
democracy.
"The Impact of News Story Structure on Reader Attention and Recall" by Jun Heo and Seungahn
Nah, the authors examine the impact of news story structure on reader attention and
recall.
Russial, John. The News Business. Beverly Hills, Calif: Sage Publications, 1991.
Stovall, James Glen. Writing for the Mass Media. Boston: Pearson, 2011.
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