Story angle

Definition

A story angle is the specific perspective or viewpoint from which a story is told, shaping how the narrative is presented and what aspects are emphasized. It is crucial for establishing the direction of a piece, as it helps journalists determine which elements to highlight, how to frame quotes, and what information to prioritize, ultimately guiding the reader's understanding and engagement with the story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A strong story angle can help differentiate one piece from another covering similar events or topics, making it unique and engaging for the audience.
2. Choosing the right story angle often requires analyzing interviews and quotes to find the most compelling perspectives that resonate with readers.
3. The story angle influences not only the writing style but also the overall tone of the piece, whether it's serious, light-hearted, critical, or celebratory.
4. In post-interview processing, journalists must evaluate which quotes best support their chosen story angle to maintain coherence throughout their narrative.
5. A poorly defined story angle can lead to confusion and a lack of focus in a piece, making it difficult for readers to grasp the main points or significance of the story.

Review Questions

• How does selecting a specific story angle impact the way an interview's quotes are used in a final article?
  • Selecting a specific story angle shapes which quotes are highlighted in an article and how they are presented. A well-defined angle allows journalists to choose quotes that reinforce their perspective and connect them seamlessly to the narrative. This helps create a cohesive flow and ensures that the message aligns with the intended theme of the piece, enhancing reader engagement.
• Discuss the importance of aligning quotes with your story angle during post-interview processing and how this affects storytelling.
  • Aligning quotes with the chosen story angle during post-interview processing is essential for maintaining narrative clarity and focus. When journalists carefully select quotes that reflect their angle, they create a stronger connection between the interviewee's insights and the overarching message of the article. This alignment strengthens storytelling by ensuring that all elements work together to support a unified perspective, ultimately leading to a more impactful reading experience.
• Evaluate how different story angles might alter public perception of an athlete's performance based on selected quotes in sports journalism.
  • Different story angles can significantly alter public perception of an athlete's performance by emphasizing various aspects of their actions and statements. For instance, an angle focusing on an athlete's perseverance may highlight quotes reflecting resilience despite challenges, while a critical angle might select quotes that indicate poor decision-making. By framing quotes through distinct lenses, journalists influence how audiences interpret an athlete's character and performance, demonstrating the power of storytelling in shaping narratives within sports journalism.

Related terms

Lead: The opening sentence or paragraph of a story that captures the main idea and hooks the reader's interest.

Narrative structure: The framework that organizes the content of a story, including the order of events and how they are connected to convey meaning.

Quote attribution: The process of crediting sources for their statements or remarks, ensuring accuracy and providing context within a story.