The Story Innovation Framework

Every story is a project, a temporary effort to create something unique, either a product or service that produces some kind of a result. All compelling stories share common components that can be organized into a framework, a kind of blueprint illustrating a basic structure that guides the storytelling process. While there are various ways of describing this structure, what’s important is that you gain an understanding of each phase and learn how they relate to each other in creating compelling content.

In this course, you will learn a simple, process for journalistic storytelling called the StoryInnovation Framework. It has three phases:

1. Setup: Includes any activity needed to prepare for doing the work of creating content from the time your idea is born to planning
2. Build: Includes all activities focused on creating content (interviewing, writing, photography, editing, etc.)
3. Execute: Includes anything related to delivering the story and engaging with your audience.

Principles, Tools, and Techniques: Each phase has basic principles, tools, and techniques that you need to understand to do the work.

Foundation: This simple, three-phase process, combined with tools and techniques, is built on foundational principles that include a set of core values that establish vision and guide ethical decision-making.

Download the copy of the StoryInnovation Canvas in the Materials tab above. We suggest that you print a copy and keep it nearby as you participate in the class and work on your assignments.