By Astrid Code
Portage Northern Light
Portage Northern HS
1st Place
Division 3, News Writing
NW-18. Alternative Story Form
An ASF consists of a whole story told in an alternative way. It can consist of anything that is not a traditional story form. Key features include: visual destinations, strong use of typography, easy to scan, well organized, can provide quick facts and deep context. It should not include traditional narrative. Examples include (but are not limited to) fast-fact boxes, lists, glossaries, quizzes, polls, charts. An ASF submitted in this category should not be connected to a story or be part of a story package. It should stand alone. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the ASF was published or the URL to the ASF on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Should be a story told in a unique, alternative way
- This is not a traditional story as in inverted pyramid, news, anecdotal, analysis or feature narrative
- Story is told with quick facts—it’s a quick read that provides readers with a unique approach to a story
- While the read is quick, ASF should provide reader with complete information. Readers should not be left asking questions
- Organization is such that story is easy to follow and logical, even though it’s in an alternative way
- ASF is visually engrossing, bringing readers in through strong use of typography and other types of visuals
- Should not be packaged with another story or part of another story.
- Stands totally alone as a storytelling device
- Submission only considered if submitted with entire page on which it was featured