Once upon a time...
there was a beautiful fusion of reporting and storytelling techniques...
"Journalism that doesn't assume the reader is a robot, that acknowledges the reader knows lots and snickers and gets wild."
~Mark Kramer, Nieman Program on Narrative Journalism
Whether it's called "narrative journalism," "new journalism," "literary journalism," or "journalistic narrative," the type of writing defined by these terms is a blend of reporting and storytelling.
Although this offshoot of traditional journalism does not employ the pure objectivity that is often associated with the profession, narrative journalism upholds integrity and professionalism, as its writers, astute to the human experience, paint pictures and emotions with words. The narrative journalist is necessarily wrapped up in social realism, and is, "in fact, a Romantic Reporter, who assumes that reality is to be found by focusing on internal, rather than external, human processes and movements; that feelings and emotions are more essential to understanding human life than ideas." (Connery 17).
Whether it's called "narrative journalism," "new journalism," "literary journalism," or "journalistic narrative," the type of writing defined by these terms is a blend of reporting and storytelling.
Although this offshoot of traditional journalism does not employ the pure objectivity that is often associated with the profession, narrative journalism upholds integrity and professionalism, as its writers, astute to the human experience, paint pictures and emotions with words. The narrative journalist is necessarily wrapped up in social realism, and is, "in fact, a Romantic Reporter, who assumes that reality is to be found by focusing on internal, rather than external, human processes and movements; that feelings and emotions are more essential to understanding human life than ideas." (Connery 17).
Narrative Journalism does away with the inverted pyramid model of traditional journalism, which arranges who, what, where, when, and why from the most important to the least important. Narrative Journalism breathes life into the five W's.
Tell Them a Story! How to Grab Your Readers
In contrast to "reporting," which merely imparts information, narrative journalism creates an "experience" for the reader. In other words, narrative journalism allows factual events to play out with characterization, rising and falling action, insight, dialogue, and resolution. The term "journalism" still implies the immediacy, accuracy, and newsworthiness of the subject matter, and guarantees that the newsgathering process of observation, interview, and review of documents is wholly applicable to the genre. The word "narrative," however, suggests a "literary" flavor. According to Thomas Connery, author of A Sourcebook of American Literary Journalism, narrative journalism is distinct in that "style becomes part of the meaning conveyed; the structure and organization of language interpret and inform." (Connery 15). The following elements typify a well-told story in the narrative journalism approach.
Narrative Journalism....
- Presents the "voice" of the storyteller. Unlike traditional journalism, narrative journalism incorporates subjectivity with factual details, allowing the reader to connect with the writer on the level of impressions and emotions.
- Places the action/characters in "time." That is, a context of history or mention of related events often accompanies the telling of the current action.
- Contains an underlying meaning or "symbolism." Snippets of the human experience are revealed through literary allusions, metaphors, and symbolism, rendering mental images more potent and memorable.
- Brings readers to a "destination,"and seeks to create a meaningful journey for the reader: "theme, purpose, reason, destination must be worthwhile to digest." (Nieman Program). As writer Stephen Crane once advised, "Give readers a slice of life." (Connery 7). The glimpse into humanity is the outstanding feature of the genre.
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