A Fresh Approach to Crafting a Stellar Radio Story
Crafting a narrative in three acts consists of:
In the ever-evolving world of journalism, Sharon McNary, a seasoned reporter at KPCC, asked an age-old question: what does it mean to tell a radio story in three acts? As someone who has ventured from print to radio, she grapples with the common issue of structuring news stories in a captivating manner.
The solution lies in structure – every news story requires a foundation. However, the real world rarely conforms to neat and tidy structures. Protagonists and villains are often hard to identify, while a clear beginning, middle, and end might be elusive. If the story at hand lacks a natural structure, it's up to us to invent one – like a lifebuoy keeping us afloat in a sea of information.
The three-act structure is a basic yet powerful organization that can give our story direction. The number three holds a certain charm; it's odd, prime, and impossible to divide evenly. Its unresting quality propels us forward, leading us on an exciting journey. Beginning, middle, end. This, that, and the other thing. Ever since Medieval times, works of art – from paintings to songs – have used the trinity to show evolution.
During a study, I found that the best radio stories feature three distinct sections [2]. For instance, renowned sports journalist Tom Goldman's stories often start before the game, then delve into the game itself, and finally discuss what happens afterward. Each segment sounds unique and serves a purpose.
Another great example comes from former political reporter Andrea Seabrook. Rather than presenting a boring "he said, she said," she would strategically position listeners with one group in the first act, switch to another group in the second act, and finally provide a prediction for the clash in the third act.
Breaking a story into three acts requires careful planning. Start by drawing three circles and figuring out three key scenes or topics for each. The most crucial aspect is maintaining a clear dividing line between each section. There should be a shift in setting, characters, or focus.
For example, when covering a press conference, consider structuring the story chronologically. First, address what's at stake; then, present the event; lastly, discuss developments and changes that result from the event [3]. Each section should have a distinct sound and clearly signal the change of scene to keep the listener informed.
Another effective method is to focus a quick news story around a real person facing a problem, followed by an expert explaining the issue, and eventually returning to the real person to reflect on the action [3]. This approach adds variety and allows the action to flow from the problem.
While the number three is a solid starting point, it's not set in stone. If time permits or ambition takes hold, there are other structures available – each providing a sturdy backbone for our story [2].
Former editor Sara Sarasohn used to talk about the structure of news features as problem, solution, complication, future [2]. For example, a story about potholes on Route 9 would introduce the problem, show the citizens taking action, reveal the complications, and end with the city working to find a solution [2].
Another structure I frequently relied on was the reporter-as-detective. This format works particularly well for fun features [2]. Query: why is this weird thing happening? Followed by the journalist investigating the mystery, understanding its roots, and then explaining it to outsiders.
For a more advanced story, consider adopting the Hero's Journey [2]. This timeless structure has been the go-to choice for writers for millennia.
The structure you choose doesn't matter as long as you convey that you have a structure – that you're not lost in the wilderness of news [1]. Structure allows the listener to recognize that you're embarking on a news journey, complete with stops along the way.
To sum it up, the three-act structure offers a reliable narrative framework that transforms news into engaging stories for radio. By adhering to this structure, we can hook listeners, keep them engaged, and ultimately provide a satisfying conclusion, all while masterfully leveraging the power of sound design [1][2][3].
Takeaways:
- Use the three-act structure to provide a clear, logical flow to radio news stories.
- Start with a strong introduction to hook listeners, delve into complications, and end with a clear resolution or takeaway.
- Strategically use sound design elements to immerse listeners emotionally, enhancing the narrative arc.
- Embrace various structures to cater to different stories and make your news stories a captivating journey for listeners.
References:[1] Freelancer, D.(2021, March 11). Three-Act Structure for Radio Storytelling: Part 1. Retrieved from https://freelancetraining.com/2021/03/11/three-act-structure-for-radio-storytelling-part-1/[2] McNary, S.(2012, October 15). Three Acts: A Basic Structure for Radio News Stories. Retrieved from https://www.transom.org/2012/oct/three-acts/[3] Smith, J.(2017, May 1). Five Story Structures to Guide Your Radio Report. Retrieved from https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2017/five-story-structures-to-guide-your-radio-reports/[4] Three-Act Structure. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://scriptmag.com/features/ Television/the-three-act-structure[5] Moyers, B.(2012, December 20). The Power of Sound in Radio Journalism. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=167715183[6] Morrow, A.(2012, September 24). Telling a Three-Act Story on NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/there Founder/2012/09/24/161529826/telling-a-three-act-story-on-npr
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, understanding one's interest in personal-growth areas like ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) could potentially open up credit opportunities for investment in economic ventures that prioritize these principles.
- Gold, a renowned sports journalist, exemplifies the three-act structure in his stories, initially setting the scene before the game, delving into the game itself, and finally discussing what transpires afterward, all key elements in learning about the game's events.
- As Sharon McNary, a seasoned reporter, researched effective storytelling techniques, she discovered that adopting the three-act structure in economic reporting could lead to more engaging stories, capturing listeners' interest, and promoting learning and personal-growth.
- Learning about various structures for storytelling, like the Hero's Journey, can help in the process of crafting a compelling economic story, leading to growth in both skills and understanding of financial matters.
