Alternative Story Forms

Michael Roberts, The Arizona Republic

ReviseDraftOrganizeReportIdea

Plan alternative storyforms before reportingor writing!

Planning questions

Can we show meaningful comparisons?Pro-con. High-low. Locations. Items. Services.

Can we offer guidance or tips?Policies. Guidelines. Steps or methods.

Can we break it down to provide more context?Numbers. History. Circumstances.

Does the trend tell the story?Progress. Change. Growth. Decline.

Planning questions

Can we show what words can’t easily explain?Maps. Diagrams. Floor plans. Formulas. Objects,forms, paperwork.

Can we forecast or handicap an issue?Projections. What to watch. Timelines.

Does the reader need the highlights?Short summary or important parts of a large body ofinformation. Profile of a person, organization. Parts ofa complicated issue.

Alternative story forms: Guides

Alternative forms: Words

Alternative forms: Words

Lists

Do’s & Don’ts

Pros & Cons

Glossary

Q & A

Quiz

Tips

Formatted profile

Worksheets

X Ways, X Reasons

Alternative forms: Templates

Alternative forms: Templates

Alternative forms: Templates

Exercise

1. Select story idea

2. Plan alternativepresentation

3. Sketch your planon paper topresent