Context stories are news stories that put events in context by answering the why and how questions. These stories help readers understand how news relates to their everyday lives.
More competition for attention Skimmers and scanners More sources of news Less sense of obligation to consume certain types of stories More likely to look for personal connection to news or at least something that sparks their interest or answers a question they have always had
Rob Albericci saw the curve coming. He saw his son Austin’s Little League baseball team struggle to recruit enough kids to fill a roster. He saw the rising demands of Austin’s football team, the growing pressure for kids to focus on a single sport, to specialize even before they hit puberty. And he saw a sharp swerve in his son’s passion. The father tried to steer his son toward sticking with baseball — because the injury risk is lower than in football, because baseball is “a thinking man’s game,” and because baseball is how father and son first bonded over sports. “I threw with him,” the father says, and he looks at his muscular son with a softness reserved for the littlest of boys. “I’d take him to cages and throw and hit. He always wanted to bunt.” Baseball is struggling to hook kids – and risks losing fans to other sports
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events Reporting Step 1: Talk to people and get different perspectives
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events Reporting Step 1: Talk to people and get different perspectives Identify the issue behind the event
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events Reporting Step 1: Talk to people and get different perspectives Identify the issue behind the event Reporting Step 2: Look for stories – find the story in the issue
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events Reporting Step 1: Talk to people and get different perspectives Identify the issue behind the event Reporting Step 2: Look for stories – find the story in the issue Do focused reporting
Finding and writing context stories Begin with the event, but look for implications – the so what? Look for historical context or background Look for trends behind events Reporting Step 1: Talk to people and get different perspectives Identify the issue behind the event Reporting Step 2: Look for stories – find the story in the issue Do focused reporting Think multi-platform
Finding and writing context stories And remember, there are levels of context stories: A few sentences of historical context Brief explanations A whole story devoted to context Context features, where you introduce readers to people who are affected by events
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