Narrative journalism: build a scene without inventing it

Practice pathway
1. Documented scene: ____________________
2. Voice and viewpoint: ____________________
3. Clear chronology: ____________________
4. Attributed dialogue: ____________________
5. Evidence pass: ____________________
6. Honest ending: ____________________

Worked example
Fictional detail: “she closed the notebook before answering” can be reported if observed. “She knew she would lose” claims access to a private thought: attribute an actual statement or remove it. Mark the draft O for observed, A for attributed and D for documentary.

Review before publishing
[ ] The main question has a clear answer.
[ ] Claims have a source and date.
[ ] Script, sound and pictures agree.
[ ] Names, numbers and quotes are checked.
[ ] Materials have permission for use.
[ ] The transcript or text alternative is reviewed.

Project deliverable
A reviewed piece, its source sheet and a note explaining what changed.