| That's why NewsLab developed the tape and workbook BEFORE
& AFTER: Strategies for Better Storytelling. The tape
features two versions of each of nine different stories. Several were
originally produced by local stations and then reworked by NewsLab
as part of a research study
into effective storytelling. Others were developed at NewsLab, as
we experimented with new story forms.
The workbook
that accompanies the tape provides background on each story and
describes the differences between the two versions. It includes
a series of questions for each story that can be used to frame a
discussion of the issues. The workbook also contains complete scripts
of both versions to allow for side-by-side comparisons.
The BEFORE & AFTER stories, background and scripts are now
available online, along
with a tenth example produced by NewsLab.
The story examples cover a wide range of issues in broadcast news,
including:
*Handling background information
*Clarifying complex relationships
*Involving "real people" in news coverage
*Including important facts
*Avoiding the use of stereotypes
*Using narrative storytelling
We suggest using the tape and workbook this way: Watch the tape
of the first version and discuss it in some detail to establish
what needs work. Then move on to screen and discuss whether and
how the second version is an improvement.
BEFORE & AFTER is designed to be a practical resource for use
in newsroom workshops and journalism classes. We hope you will let
us know how you use it, and with what results. Please fill
out the feedback form
and return it to NewsLab by
. We welcome your comments on the stories and workbook materials.
We still have copies of the tape available, but we can no longer
mail them out for free. If you would like one shipped to you, please
contact us.
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