Tellingthe Whole Story

Writing Stories:Copy written to be read

Further reading: most information from YourBook unit 2

By John Langley

Story Telling is a simple formula

that stands the testof time.

Problem: students don’t read the articles.

Generalizations Ho-hum quotes

Lists of activities and names of participants

Just team statistics, records,

and “we had a great season”

Problem: we write about topicsHomecoming week

Football

Softball

Beta club

Math

Spring play

Solution: write stories.

Everyday situations

Observe people, not

attend events

List priorities of

students

Look for personalitie

s or different

“characters” that fit the

topic

Look for someone to fit the story

you are pursuing

There are several types of stories.

•Entertain with individual anecdotes while explaining the procedure

How-to features•bring person’s words, actions,

mannerisms to life concerning an event or shared experience

Personality profile

•People associated with the eventHistorical/Anniversary features

There are several types of stories.

•Highlight a product or way of life that students are copying

Fads/fashion•All serious issues deserve to be recorded

(based on news, but written in a human-interest style)

Informative features

•Instead of hobbies/jobs, look for an unusual experience or accomplishment. Let the reader “see” the person doing the activity

Occupational profile

There is a process to writing.

Planning Interviewing Writing Editing

The first step is planning.

Angle = overall approach Angle topic sentence

or thesis statement

Angle must be consistent throughout

story All elements of the spread should work

together focused on the angle

Start with an angle

Planning includes web brainstorming

Brainstorm angle and sources from a particular topic – identify topic and

plan the sources

Brainstorm possible settings and situations

relevant to the topic – list places relevant to topic, branch off to possible

situations, then conclude with potential sources

There is a process to interviewing.

Planning

Preparing

Rules

Yearbook writing follows a formula

Stories used to be written using

inverted pyramid

style

Yearbook writing follows a formula.

Now we use a

narrative style:

Opening

BodyClosing

Think of writing as a Circle

Write the opening first.

No set length

Set the mood and

tone of the story

Opening

There are several options for an opening.

Retelling of relevant anecdote

Description of a scene or

setting

Recreation of a specific image

or incident

Vivid character sketch

Emotional direct

quotation

Write the closing second.

Closing

Bring the story full

circle

All questions should be answered,

entire story told

Show subject in the same

setting as the opening, revealing

how he has changed or

grown

Bring closure without

summarizing (possibly

with powerful

direct quote)

When closing a tragic or sensitive

story, bring hope through

factual details or

direct quote

The key to yearbook writing is in the circular approach.

Write the opening and closing first• Reflect on how the subject has

matured, grown, changed, and/or survived this incident

Prepare a final draft of the opening and closing before starting the body• Helps the writer stay focused

Include the sensory details in the body“see” the character

“hear” the atmospheric

noises

“touch” the surroundings

“taste” the extraordinary

“smell” the setting

SHOW don’t TELL

Use emotion in your writing.

Include the Sixth sense: Emotion

With the five senses in the story, the reader will feel like he is living the moment

Add Emotion, and the reader will empathize (interpret and feel) with the subject.

Pass on a couple writing tips to staff

• Be sure to carry the sensory description throughout the entire article

Common pitfall of a narrative

story is lack of unity and flow

• Character and setting info relevant to the moment only, eliminate anything else

Common pitfall: including

irrelevant details to pad the story

Writing stories is a complete package.

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