Foundation

The NAA Foundation focuses on Newspaper In Education, newspaper youth content, scholastic journalism and diversity. In this blog, you'll learn about products, programs and resources that emphasize the use of newspapers and other media by young people. You'll also learn about programs and activities that can help news media companies transform their cultures in order to grow business and increase readership and audience.

alternative storytelling

Chapter 2 in our Young Reader Conference roundup is "Alts Rock," a look at Chris Courtney's session on alternative storytelling methods.  

Think of a giant sandwich placed in front of you and how grateful you are to see that someone has cut it in half. Suddenly, things become more manageable to consume.

Courtney described an alt as a scannable, focused, reader-driven, non-narrative piece in which readers consume information in chunks. He said studies have shown that alts yield greater information retention than traditional narratives.

Readers have fewer free moments to digest daily news, and while traditional narrative story forms work well in many cases, readers should be surprised occasionally with a new, exciting way to consume information, he said, adding that younger readers would appreciate this approach.

Courtney said the best way to begin incorporating alts into newspaper storytelling is to consider presentation at the outset. Talking with everyone involved in production - "What's the best way to tell this story?" - would better yield a readable, well-planned alternative piece.

"Over time, our uses and needs for all forms of [communication] has changed," he said.

Newspaper readers want stories that are unique, informative, surprising, funny, fast-paced and engaging, he added, and alts can help stories take on those characteristics.

Courtney outlined several types of alts:

• Breakout boxes. The oldest of alts, Courtney said, these can be used for entire stories. Take a long story, break out key information readers need to know and edit out overlapping information.
• Charticles. Best used when comparing things, these articles in chart form allow readers to scan information quickly for aspects they care most about.
• Timelines. These work best when dealing with six or more plot points.
• Topic 101. This format helps to make new ideas or products more familiar by breaking the idea into key facts.
• How To. These offer readers step-by-step explanations for timely tasks.
• Graphic Novel. This could be a hit with teens. Instead of using a photograph, or if you are reporting on something that cannot be photographed, consider using an artist to re-create the scene.
• Quiz. An easy way to engage your reader. Who can resist the thrill of competition? Instead of a story on the next Batman movie, offer readers a trivia quiz on Batman history.
• Catch-ups. In some way, these reorient the reader with previous events.
• Combination. "You can use several of these things together to tell a more whole and rich story," Courtney said.

Alts require more time and planning, but the surprise factor they provide readers is often worth it. "Give 'em a reason," he said, "to turn and open it up."

-- By Barbara Allen and Kelsea Gurski

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About Marina Hendricks

Marina Hendricks is manager of the NAA Foundation. She manages Newspaper In Education, youth content and scholastic journalism programs, oversees the development of print and online products, and coordinates the NAA Foundation Web site, www.naafoundation.org. Before joining the Foundation, Marina was a features writer and the teen editor at The Charleston Gazette in West Virginia. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Marshall University.