7.4 Writing and presenting in-depth news stories

Investigative journalism uncovers hidden truths, exposing wrongdoing and systemic issues. It's a powerful tool for holding the powerful accountable and driving social change. But crafting these complex stories requires skill and strategy.

Writing an in-depth news story is like piecing together a puzzle. You need a compelling hook, clear structure, and multimedia elements to engage readers. The goal? To present complex information in a way that's accessible and impactful for your audience.

Compelling narratives for investigations

Uncovering information and revealing wrongdoing

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• Investigative journalism uncovers information of public interest and significance that someone is trying to keep secret
• Stories should have a clear thesis that reveals wrongdoing, abuse of power, or systemic issues (corruption, environmental hazards, human rights violations)
• The writing should aim to explain complex issues in clear, accessible language appropriate for a general audience
  • Technical terms and jargon should be defined (fiduciary duty, redlining, dark money)

Structuring narratives to build evidence

• Narratives should be structured to gradually build evidence that supports the central findings
• Key facts, data points and human stories should be woven together to create a compelling case
• Analogies, metaphors and real-world examples can help illustrate abstract concepts and systems in a relatable way (comparing shell companies to Russian nesting dolls)
• Potential impacts and ramifications of the findings for individuals and society should be clearly spelled out to underscore the "so what" and build a sense of importance and urgency
  • Whenever possible, the story should amplify the voices of those directly impacted to humanize the issues
  • Vivid quotes, anecdotes and scenes help bring the narrative to life (a struggling family describing their experience with predatory lending)

Setting the appropriate tone

• The tone should be authoritative and credible, yet engaging
• The writing should exude rigorous reporting without reading like a dry government report
• A sense of righteous indignation on behalf of the wronged can be effective, but avoid overt editorializing
• Let the facts speak for themselves - the most damning details often come directly from primary documents (emails, memos, financial records)

Structure for in-depth news stories

Crafting compelling beginnings

• The inverted pyramid structure used for breaking news is less effective for long-form investigative pieces
• In-depth stories often use narrative arcs and techniques from fiction writing to engage the audience
• The lead should be a compelling "hook" that draws readers in and sets up the central conflict or mystery to be unraveled
  • It could be an affecting scene, startling statistic, or powerful quote (One in five children in the county go to bed hungry, according to a new report.)
• Nut grafs high up summarize the main findings and outline the stakes to quickly establish relevance and importance
  • They serve as a roadmap for the narrative ahead (An investigation by the Tribune uncovered a pattern of corruption in the mayor's office involving no-bid contracts to campaign donors.)

Building the story arc

• The story arc should have a clear beginning, middle and end
  • It should build toward key revelations and end with a satisfying resolution or thought-provoking questions
• Subheadings, section breaks and other visual elements create a scannable structure
  • They allow readers to mentally organize the different story threads (The Flint water crisis: A timeline of events)
• Complicated backstories and technical details should be broken out into sidebars to avoid derailing narrative momentum
  • Links can direct readers to primary documents and previous coverage for more context

Delivering a strong ending

• The ending should reveal the full scope of the findings and grapple with the implications
  • It's an opportunity for the reporter to step back and offer analysis and reflections without editorializing
• A powerful image, anecdote or quote can leave a lasting impression and underscore the story's significance
• The ending can point to potential solutions, further questions to be answered, or challenges that remain
  • It can inspire readers to take action or follow the story as it continues to unfold (The investigation is ongoing and more findings will be published in the coming months.)

Multimedia for impact in investigations

Presenting data effectively

• Data visualizations like charts, graphs and maps can powerfully communicate key statistics
  • They help readers comprehend the scale and patterns of the issues (a heat map showing clusters of housing code violations)
• Interactivity allows users to explore the data and discover insights (a database of campaign contributions filterable by donor, recipient, amount)
• When using data, be sure to clearly cite sources, explain methodologies, and acknowledge limitations

Capturing human stories

• Photos add emotion, intimacy and visual interest to investigative stories
  • They can show the people and places impacted and help readers connect to the story on a human level (portraits of workers in a dangerous factory)
• Audio clips of sources add authenticity and allow audiences to hear directly from those involved in the story
  • Podcasts and audio stories can attract new audiences and allow for a more conversational tone
• Videos are highly effective for showing "caught on camera" moments, undercover interactions, and interviews with key sources
  • They can compress a lot of information into a short, shareable clip (footage of an illegal dumping site, a confrontational interview with an executive)

Explaining the abstract and technical

• Animation can break down complex processes and systems into an easy-to-follow visual explainer
  • It's useful for abstract and technical topics that are hard to depict with live footage (how a proposed algorithm would determine health insurance rates)
• Documentaries allow for deeper storytelling and character development
  • They can build on the journalism to create a powerful emotional experience
  • Reaching audiences via film festivals and streaming services expands the story's impact and lifespan

Platforms for public impact

Publishing across owned channels

• The outlet's website and print editions are typical first points of publication
  • The full story and multimedia elements should be showcased with a compelling digital presentation that encourages exploration
• Social media posts are key for generating buzz and highlighting shareable elements like infographics and video clips
  • Reporters should engage directly with readers to build interest and answer questions
• Newsletters and mobile apps deliver the story directly to subscribers and can build loyalty

Amplifying the story through partnerships

• Partnerships with other media outlets expand reach and allow for collaborative, cross-platform storytelling
  • Print and radio outlets often team up to produce complementary stories (a newspaper's investigation is summarized on public radio)
• Collaborating with academics or nonprofits can provide additional expertise and resources
  • Their networks can help promote the findings to relevant audiences (an environmental group shares a story on pollution with its email list)

Engaging the public directly

• Live events like community forums allow reporters to present findings directly to the public, solicit feedback, and foster civic dialogues
  • Investigative stories can prompt calls to action (a panel discussion on solutions to homelessness following a series on the issue)
• Television and cable news segments distill print stories into interviews and video packages that reach new audiences
  • Morning shows and primetime newsmagazines offer significant exposure (an investigative reporter appears on 60 Minutes to discuss their scoop)

Preserving the story's impact

• Submitting investigative reports for journalism prizes generates prestige and draws further attention to the story and issues
  • Winning a prominent award (Pulitzer Prize) can drive a new cycle of coverage and impact
• Reformatting the story into a book or documentary allows the reporter to reach different audiences, go deeper into the story, and frame their findings for history
  • A book (All the President's Men) can become a definitive account that's read for generations