http://www.localnewsinitiative.org/lni_org/jmegs_storystructure_fourpart.cfm/lni_org/jmegs_storystructure_fourpart.cfm

Formula as Foundation: The 4-Part Story

A story structure formula is a key that unlocks how to tell a story. With experience, reporters can develop several structures. But the classic one for a public radio feature includes four distinct parts.

Reporter Tom Banse used this 4-part structure to produce a story about storm trends in the Pacific Northwest. Click on each step below for a description of each part, and an audio example from his story.

Listen to the full story to hear how it all comes together.