WORKSHOP 2The Art of Storytelling

Session Two

By the end of this workshop you should have the knowledge necessary to source and outline a story. You will also have developed an understanding of the roles structure and content play in good storytelling.

This will be done be considering:• How to source story ideas and confirm they are appropriate?• How to outline an article • Methods for conveying concepts and ideas

SOURCING IDEAS FOR STORIESWhere to look for inspiration?

Sourcing ideas for stories

Your own experiences• Personal diary• http://thesecretlifeofamanicdepressive.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/with

drawal-2/• Thoughts promoted by your day to day experiencesExample: http://douglascootey.com/2014/06/adhd-fearing-failure.html• ‘How to’ articles - this is how I achieved X• Reviews of places you have visited or things you have experienced• Your memories or reminiscences

Sourcing ideas for stories

Your passions:

http://ww2today.com/ is a fascinating blog driven by someone’s interest in World War 2. It tells what happened on this day 70 years ago.

Hello Sunday morning: https://www.hellosundaymorning.org is a site seeking to change Australia’s drinking culture.

Sourcing ideas for stories

Recent news or research:

Sites that are dedicated providing up to date information in a particular subject areas Eg:

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com

As a jump of point for an article in a more personal blog:

http://thesecretlifeofamanicdepressive.wordpress.com/

Or as the impetus for an opinion piece on a specific issue:

http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/articles/2014/06/18/4027063.htm

SHOULD YOU WRITE IT?Considerations?

Should you write it?

What impact will this story have on others?

Are you an appropriate person to be writing about this?

Would anyone want to know what you think about this issue?

What perspective do you bring to the issue?

Is what you are going to write about relevant for your audience?

Will you add anything new by writing on it?

STARTING TO WRITE

OUTLINING

Outlining an Article

What is an Outline? – Intro leading into a body, perhaps with subheadings, leading in turn to a conclusion.

Rules: - Outlines should be: clear, concise and encapsulate the essence of the piece of work you are writing.

Introductions: – Set the scene, capture attention, introduce the argument, signpost what the reader can expect. Tell them what you will tell them.

Body:– Perhaps with sub headings depending on where your writing will appear. Tell them, tell them and tell them again but with nuance, style and with a tone that will keep them engaged.

Conclusions: – Tell them what you’ve told them but leave them wanting more. In the case of social media invite comments

BUILDING YOUR STORY

Building a story

Content considerations

• Using data and stats – Data is powerful but can also be unreliable and easy to manipulate.

• Importancy of accuracy – Don’t Misquote, Attribute sources, check your facts

• Clear, precise, easily understood language

Building a Story

Content Considerations continued

• One story – one idea

• Sign posting: tell them what you are about to tell them and remind them what you’ve told them.

• Plot development: Non fiction works can still have plot.

BUILDING A STORYGenerating audience engagement

Building a story

Generating audience engagement:

Personalising a story – Using characters

Content – writing style

Accessibility

Authors Voice:• Tone – Carolyn Wilson, Andrew Bolt• Humour• Language - Dickens

Building a story activity

Activity - Groups to discuss example: – The Little Frenchman: http://www.acmi.net.au/dst_little_frenchman.htm in terms of: building a story, personalising a story and creating the context.

Review

Today we have considered:

• How to source story ideas and confirm they are appropriate?• How to outline an article • Methods for conveying concepts and ideas

You should now have the knowledge necessary to source and outline a story. You should also have developed an understanding of the roles structure and content play in good storytelling.

Next Steps

Tasks:

1. Access the WIKI and review this session’s material. There are many tasks throughout the WIKI.

2. Populate the parts of the project snapshot that we have covered so far:• Reasons for communicating• Story ideas

3. Outline a story, including notes capturing content considerations

Next session

The Mechanic of Writing:

Defining your audience

Creating a writers voice and developing your own style.

The Do’s and Don’ts of writing