Multimedia Storytelling Lexicon

Developing a Multimedia Storytelling Lexicon

2012 NSC Visual Educator Teach-a-Thon

Mark Berkey-GerardRowan University

“Most newsrooms lack a storytelling lexicon. We call everything a story whether or not it contains any true storytelling elements.” - Jack Hart, Telling True Stories

Multimedia Storytelling Lexicon

30 narrative structures, devices and techniques

Definitions

Examples from multimedia news packages

AnecdoteA personal account of a series of actions.

Julio Diaz shares his experience of being robbed in a surprising, two-minute anecdote. (StoryCorps.org)

CharacterIndividual who undergoes transition.

Photographer Luis Sinco explores a soldier's emotional and psychological struggles. (MediaStorm.com)

ComplicationAn event or development that forces a character to respond or react.

When the Gulf Oil spill hits a small town in Louisiana, the residents must decide whether to stay or leave. (News21.com)

ContiguityHow all of the media elements work together in a create a cohesive and meaningful presentation.

The Highrise Project integrates text, images, video, design and animation in an interactive documentary. (National Film Board of Canada)

DetailDistinct observations, facts or moments included for the purpose of conveying character or plot.

The world’s third largest religious festival is told through intimate snapshots of pilgrims. (Bombay Flying Club)

Dramatic QuestionAn overarching question posed at the beginning of a story; audience wonders how it will end.

“If the world’s great violinist performed incognito in a Metro station, would anyone stop and listen?” (Washington Post)

Linear StoryA narrative with a distinct beginning, middle and end.

This web video chronicles how one Illinois farm became a suburban housing development. (Media Storm)

Non-Linear StoryPresentation that allows the audience to decide the story structure.

This interactive documentary about the Great Lakes has no distinct beginning, middle or end. (Waterlife.ca)

Moment of ReflectionA clear statement of what the story is about, often following an anecdote.

Nine reporters spent two days at a rest stop. They structured an hour long radio show around anecdotes and reflections on travel. (This American Life)

Multimedia Storytelling Lexicon Payoff / Impact

1. Great examples of multimedia storytelling.



2. Range of storytelling formats.


social mediasingle imagephoto essayaudio slide showweb videomap

timelinerole-playing gamedatagraphicsdocumentaryuser-generated


3. Shared vocabulary for instructor and student.


“Nice audio. Strong images. But you need a ‘moment of reflection’ that clearly states the point of the story.”


4. How presentation and platform affect storytelling.


Does the story work across platforms?

Is the story platform specific?

What is the user experience?


5. Articulate how and why a particular story might be best told in a particular way.

Complete list atmarkberkeygerard.com

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Twitter: @mabege #nsc12

Multimedia Storytelling Lexicon

Education

range of storytelling

aparticular story

story work acrossplatforms

media elements

story platform specific

beginning of astory

distinct beginning

interactive documentary