Story Craft

How to turn all that “stuff” into narrative

Practical tips from nonfiction author Elizabeth Mehren on how to create compelling nonfiction from mounds of research and interviews

By Madeline Bodin • May 1, 2024

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From the Editor

Journalism awards: Free j-school

Contest winners and finalists, chosen by fellow professionals, demonstrate journalistic standards and purpose, and reflect the times we live in

By Jacqui Banaszynski • April 30, 2024

Story Craft

2024 Power of Narrative: “Be human first” when covering trauma and children

From pool drownings to school shootings, John Woodrow Cox shares lessons on reporting violence through the voices of children (and others)

By Esther Landhuis • April 25, 2024

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Story Craft

How to turn all that “stuff” into narrative

By Madeline Bodin
May 1, 2024

Practical tips from nonfiction author Elizabeth Mehren on how to create compelling nonfiction from mounds of research and interviews

Story Craft

2024 Power of Narrative: “Be human first” when covering trauma and children

By Esther Landhuis
April 25, 2024

From pool drownings to school shootings, John Woodrow Cox shares lessons on reporting violence through the voices of children (and others)

Story Craft

The why, who and how of interviews

By Jacqui Banaszynski
April 19, 2024

A reporter/editor/teacher recommends stepping back to take a crucial first step of thought and planning to ensure effective interviews

Story Craft

2024 Power of Narrative: How to bring empathy to your reporting

By Esther Landhuis
April 18, 2024

Separating empathy from advocacy, and practicing it as a tool of better listening and more complete stories

Story Craft

2024 Power of Narrative: Double the power of your story with a braided structure

By Madeline Bodin
April 3, 2024

In a long feature story, two related or resonant threads can be woven to make a piece that is both complex and clear

Story Craft

2024 Power of Narrative: Compelling stories delivered on tight deadline

By Madeline Bodin
March 29, 2024

How The Wall Street Journal has produced the daily narrative podcast "The Journal." for five years with focused content and a classic story structure

Story Craft

Triad ledes: The power of three to tell the story of all

By Jacqui Banaszynski
March 28, 2024

The "golden mean" of philosophy, nature and art can help writers tell complex stories of issue and policy with intimacy and humanity

Story Craft

Two journalists talk to the bots — who talk back — about the pros and pitfalls of AI

By Casey Frechette and Chip Scanlan
February 16, 2024

"Once we accept that AI is flawed, we can use it responsibly, even relish in what it has to offer." ~ journalism professor Casey Frechette

Story Craft

Writing in bursts of freedom

By Sophia Chen
January 25, 2024

A science journalist who typically writes to a structure experimented with free-form bursts she learned from playing with paint and music

Story Craft

A hockey lover writes a perfect “deke”

By Jacqui Banaszynski
January 19, 2024

In a quick personal post, a veteran journalist executes a disciplined fake that keeps readers engaged — and rewards them with a surprise

Story Craft

Gifts for reporters and writers!

By Kim Cross
December 13, 2023

Just in time for the holidays — or any day — journalist and author Kim Cross shares her must-have reporting and writing tools

Story Craft

A New York Times Insider piece takes readers beyond the public persona

By Jacqui Banaszynski
December 1, 2023

David E. Sanger's essay on reporting the advance obit for Henry Kissinger offers insights into the "odd dance" of interviews with power brokers

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