Narrative Structure: The Backbone of Great Feature Stories
The 4-Part Story
Part 3: Examine the Solution and/or Reaction
This is the middle of your story. This is where you give the listener context about the options for solving a problem: what's proposed, who else has tried this, what are the criticisms or alternative solutions? You'll end up with stronger content here if you ask and answer these types of questions about the topic you're covering:
- Has it happened here before?
- Has it happened elsewhere?
- Is it part of a pattern?
- What is the cause?
- What is the effect/impact?
- How does it interconnect our community with our nation, our world?
Next -- Step Four: Look to the Future
Copyright © 2010 NPR
