As newspapers grow tighter and competition for eyeballs increases, reporters may be called on to help editors grab readers’ attention.

A device called “alternative storytelling” allows newspapers to get away from “straight”news reporting and into briefer, more visual formats.

We aren’t by any means saying we need to throw away text. Instead, think about ways to enhance, embellish, interpret, condense and make your story more digestible for an audience on the run -- especially weekdays.

Four ways to incorporate alts:

1. Keep your context paragraph always available. When you have finally honed down that background graph to exactly how you want it, save it for repeated use in a pull-out. That way you don’t have to muck up the flow of your copy with “old news.” Just put it at the top of your story and label it “break out,” or with a note that says “please box this,” etc.
2. Use a timeline for a long-running story that has a breaking news angle. It will give readers an at-a-glance history without taking up tons of space and eye-numbing verbiage.
3. Consider a pie chart, fever chart, trivia box, FAQs, etc. to give another quick perspective. Remember to allow time for graphics people to complete them.
4. Pull out part of the story. How something works doesn’t really flow into the narrative of the story? Box it. The time, place and event date don’t work in the structure of your report? Screen it. Readers need a definition of a spelling bee word? Highlight it. The charges in a complicated indictment? Summarize them with bullet points.

Always talk to your editor about your idea and label the element at the top of your story so copy editors and designers won’t lose it. When that happens, you end up publishing an event without a time and place.

 Key words to look for

Some simple ways indicate that the story you’re working on needs a visual or layered text. In fact, sometimes the story IS a visual. Here is a quick list of some key words. If they’re high up in your story, chances are good that you’ll need to look at some nontraditional ways to tell your story.

• Agreement (needs): a box that lists the tenets of the agreement.
• Ahead : a text box that lists the next step in the process.
• Annual : a chart or box that compares the event to previous years.
• Bio : a box listing key data on the person or group.
• Census : maps detailing where trends are occurring; by-the-numbers charts.
• Chronology : timeline that shows past events.
• Comeback : bullet the key points of the comeback (or collapse).
• Compared to: box that places one item against another.
• Debate : what are the key points of the debate?
• Decrease : how much did it decrease?” Chart comparing previous years.
• Expansion (needs): What expanded where? Could be a list of numbers or a map.
• Figures: Use a box detailing the figures.
• Historical: Break out similar performances.
• How to…: Step-by-step box or diagram on how to do a process.
• Increase: How much did it increase? Chart comparing previous years.
• In proportion: In proportion to what? A chart will how the relation of objects.
• Issue: Break out the background that explains what’s at issue.
• Plan (use): Bulleted list of the plan’s tenets
• Process : Flowchart or diagram
• Proposal, proposed : Bulleted list of the details of the proposal
• Profile : A biobox about the person’s key life points
• Pros & Cons : List the pros and cons with a bulleted list
• Schedule : A grid-based calendar or list of upcoming events
• Sequence: Chronological box that shows key events
• Standings: Don’t make reference to them without showing them
• Statistics: Graphic or chart that compares the data
• What’s next: Explain what the latest result means.

(By Michael A. Anastasi, managing editor for Sports and Features, The Salt Lake Tribune)

In addition to Key words, look for:

• Key dates: Timeline of events.
• Key players: Muglets or photos of people who have a stake in the issue.
• Key points: Bulleted list of things the reader would want to know quickly.

When to use alternative story forms? Ask yourself:

• Is the story describing too many processes or events?
• Are there a lot of figures in the text?
• Are there interesting people or locations the reader would want to see?
• Am I having a tough time telling the reader of all of the important data, and still keeping the flow of the story?
• Am I having difficulty understanding how this works?

If you answered “yes,” use an alternative story form.

 FAQs on alternative story forms

 Q. Who does them?
A. Alternative story forms require teamwork and planning. Reporters, line editors, department heads, copy editors, photo editors and designers should collaborate.

Q. What are some examples?
A. Traditional Supplemental forms : pulled quotes, timelines, checklists, fact box, event box, infobox, update box, background, breakout roundup (good for meetings “In other action:”), intricate info box, bulleted info, abbreviated stories, summaries and highlights,

Standalone forms: graphic novel, games, how to, panels/ roundtables, charticals (compares items by boiling the information down into definable categories), standalone event box, standalone info box, development boxes, definers, Q&A, nugget pages.

Q. When can we use them?
A. When:

• The information is buried;
• The content is too complex;
• It needs to be explained visually;
• Events are recurring, such as an annual awards, inaugurations, etc.;
• Items that are “teachable,” such as complicated issues, terms and other news needing explanation;
• And, updates and assessments.

 Credits:

Michael A. Anastasi, the Salt Lake Tribune; Christ Courtney, Chicago Tribune; Michael Roberts, Arizona Republic; Thad Ogburn (SP); Andy Bechtel, UNC-Chapel Hill; Sara Quinn, Poynter Institute.