These are slides for a writing workshop for Oakland Voices.

1. Choose the Right
Story Structure
Steve Buttry
Oakland Voices
August 29, 2012

2. Read more about it
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (Make every
word count)
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• sbuttry@digitalfirstmedia.com

3. Plan your story
• Write as you plan, research
• Consult w/ editor, colleague
• Consider multiple structures
• A structure is not a formula
• Ask, answer: What’s this story about?

4. Driving question
• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• Why?
• How?

5. Driving question
• Who? (Debbie Koppman, Carl
Chan, Antoine Hunter, homicide victims)
• What? (Code for Oakland)
• When? (Lakeview School’s last day)
• Where? (Health of the Hood, Fruitvale)
• Why?
• How? (How Chinese is Chinatown?)

6. Other driving questions
• How much?
• What happened?
• So what?
• What’s next?

7. Other driving questions
• How much?
• What happened?
• So what?
• What’s next?
• Do you know anyone personally that has
been shot?

8. Other driving questions
•How much?
•What happened?
•So what?
•What’s next?
•Do you know anyone personally that has
been shot?
Verification: How do you know that?

9. Story elements
• Plot
• Character
• Setting
• Theme
• Conflict/resolution
• Action
• Dialogue

10. Inverted pyramid
Image from Wikipedia

11. Martini glass
• Inverted pyramid top
• Olive intrigues, starts
narrative
• Narrative
• Strong ending
Image from drinksmixer.com, term from Don Fry

12. Jack Hart’s narrative arc
Image from J-Storytelling.com

13. Other story structures
• List • Audio w/ slides
• Liveblog • Series
• Tweet (or series of • Serial narrative
tweets) • Sidebar
• Video • Graphic
• Q&A • Animation
• Rick Bragg’s 5 boxes • Map

14. Structural elements, tools
• Lead (lede)
• Nut graf (promise)
• Bullets
• Subheads
• Embeds
• Links
• Kicker

15. Make every word count
• Readers/viewers are busy
• Readers/viewers have many other
options
• Get to the point
• If it’s long, tell me quickly why it’s worth
my time
• Is it useful? Compelling?

16. Set a brisk pace
• Tight lead (does it fit in a tweet?)
• Avoid suitcase lead
• Challenge attribution, punctuation,
numbers
• Write alternative lead

17. Keep sharp focus
• What’s the story about? (6-8 words)
• Write a headline
• How would you tell a friend?
• 3 words (subject, action verb, object)
• Write without notes
• Keep end in sight, avoid detours

18. Challenge & polish
• Weak phrases (there are, it is)
• Passive verbs, weak verbs
• Paraphrase weak quotes
• Inflated words (utilize, purchase)
• Challenge phrases, sentences
• Watch for redundancy

19. Final tips
• Read aloud
• If you have time, set it aside & come back
for a fresh read
• Ask trusted colleague, friend to read
• Ask again: What’s the story about?
• Ask: Would this be worth your time?

20. Name that tune …