ALTERNATIVE COVERAGE:INFORMATION

FOR VISUAL READERSJim Streisel, MJEHiLite adviser

Carmel (Ind.) High School

Tuesday, July 19, 16

WHAT IS ‘ALTERNATIVE COVERAGE?’

•It’s an “alternative” to writing a story. (Better word choice than “infographic” or “sidebar.”)

• It can be used to enhance or replace traditional coverage.

•Illustrative, not decorative.

Tuesday, July 19, 16

ENHANCETuesday, July 19, 16

ENHANCETuesday, July 19, 16

ENHANCETuesday, July 19, 16

ENHANCETuesday, July 19, 16

REPLACETuesday, July 19, 16

WHEN TO USE ALTERNATIVE COVERAGE?

•Numbers

•Statistics

•Data

•Complicated processes

•Other?

Tuesday, July 19, 16

QUESTIONS TO ASK

•Does this information lend itself to graphic/alternative coverage?

• If so, should I enhance a story or replace it?

Tuesday, July 19, 16

QUESTIONS TO ASK• WHY…

• is this story important for readers?

• HOW…

• do I localize this story?

• WHEN…

• should the graphic run?

• Why now?

• WHAT…

• information don’t I know?

• questions do I (or readers) have?

• WHO…

• has the answers I need?

• What research must I do?

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16

IT’S YOUR TURN.Tuesday, July 19, 16

QUESTIONS TO ASK• WHY…

• is this story important for readers?

• HOW…

• do I localize this story?

• WHEN…

• should the graphic run?

• Why now?

• WHAT…

• information don’t I know?

• questions do I (readers) have?

• WHO…

• has the answers I need?

• What research must I do?

LET’S BRAINSTORMTuesday, July 19, 16

Tuesday, July 19, 16