Introduction to Narrative Journalism

Reviewed by Timm Pilcher, Assistant Director of Professional and Career Development, Drake University on 11/21/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The text is comprehensive and includes extensive details on the elements of narrative journalism, which are the same as elements of fiction (plot, them, mood, character, setting). Each chapter contains one element and delves into the intricacies and nuances of the storytelling devices.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

It is not only accurate in its content, but also relevant to today’s narrative journalist insofar as it looks at the “new” medias (graphica, social media, digital storytelling platforms) and explains ways in which all of these can be used to enhance the narrative journalism format, thus increasing its relevance and longevity as much as can be increased in this ever-changing landscape.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Like other texts of its type on the journalism field, it is current and relevant until it isn't.

Clarity rating: 5

As well, the book reads like a well-written novel, with easily-accessible prose and numerous “real-world” examples, presumably written by Wielechowski’s students, as he is a professor of narrative journalism and environmental science journalism at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. The text is consistent and broken down into nine easily readable chapters that focus not only on the subtleties of the form but include excellent student samples as well.

Consistency rating: 5

The text follows today's journalism vocabulary throughout, making it an easy read for the modern journalist.

Modularity rating: 5

The book contains nine chapters and 90 pages of well-crafted text highlighting the art of narrative journalism and distinguishing it from other fact-based types of journalistic writing, including straight news, scripting, graphica and digital storytelling.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The chapters are consistent and cohesive in their linearity.

Interface rating: 5

Including the attached videos, the text is a delight to interact with.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

As should be any text, but especially one in journalism, the text is free of grammatical and mechanical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The book follows the journalistic traditions of objectivity and non-bias.

Comments

With excellent organization, and good structure and flow, the text also includes links to online versions of the anecdotes within and is free of any noticeable errors (as any journalism text should be!). By using narratives from contemporary America, Wielechowski’s Introduction to Narrative Journalism is a fundamental OER for any current high school or collegiate publications adviser.