📖Human Storyteller

What do you learn in The Human Storyteller

The Human Storyteller explores the art and craft of narrative journalism. You'll learn how to find and tell compelling human-interest stories, conduct in-depth interviews, and craft long-form articles. The course covers techniques for immersive reporting, character development, scene-setting, and creating emotional resonance in non-fiction storytelling.

Is The Human Storyteller hard?

The Human Storyteller can be challenging, but it's not impossible. The workload is pretty hefty, with lots of reading and writing assignments. The trickiest part is usually mastering the art of finding and developing interesting stories. But if you're passionate about storytelling and willing to put in the effort, you'll probably find it rewarding rather than overwhelmingly difficult.

Tips for taking The Human Storyteller in college

1. Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
2. Read widely - newspapers, magazines, and longform articles to get a feel for different storytelling styles
3. Practice active listening during interviews to pick up on subtle details and emotions
4. Keep a journal of interesting people and situations you encounter - they might become story ideas
5. Watch documentaries like "The Last Dance" or "Free Solo" to study narrative techniques in visual storytelling
6. Read books like "The New New Journalism" by Robert Boynton for insights from top narrative journalists
7. Experiment with different narrative structures in your assignments
8. Seek feedback from classmates on your drafts to improve your storytelling

Common pre-requisites for The Human Storyteller

1. Introduction to Journalism: This course covers the basics of news writing, reporting, and media ethics. You'll learn the fundamental skills needed for journalistic writing and research.

2. Feature Writing: In this class, you'll explore longer-form articles and learn how to craft engaging non-fiction narratives. It's a great stepping stone to more advanced storytelling techniques.

3. Media Law and Ethics: This course dives into the legal and ethical considerations in journalism. You'll learn about libel, privacy laws, and ethical decision-making in reporting.

Classes similar to The Human Storyteller

1. Creative Non-fiction Writing: This course focuses on using literary techniques to tell true stories. You'll experiment with personal essays, memoirs, and other forms of creative non-fiction.

2. Investigative Reporting: Learn how to dig deep into complex stories and uncover hidden truths. This class teaches research methods, data analysis, and long-form investigative writing.

3. Multimedia Storytelling: Explore how to tell stories across different platforms. You'll learn to combine text, audio, video, and interactive elements to create immersive narratives.

4. Literary Journalism: This course examines the intersection of journalism and literature. You'll study and practice writing in-depth, stylistically rich non-fiction pieces.

Majors related to The Human Storyteller

1. Journalism: Focuses on gathering, verifying, analyzing, and presenting news and information. Students learn to report across various media platforms and develop critical thinking skills.

2. English: Involves the study of literature, language, and writing. Students analyze texts, develop strong writing skills, and explore various forms of creative expression.

3. Creative Writing: Emphasizes the craft of writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenplays. Students workshop their writing and study literary techniques to develop their unique voice.

4. Communication Studies: Examines how people create, share, and interpret messages. Students learn about media theory, public speaking, and various forms of communication in different contexts.

What can you do with a degree in The Human Storyteller?

1. Longform Journalist: Write in-depth articles for magazines, newspapers, or online publications. You'll research complex topics, conduct interviews, and craft compelling narratives that engage readers.

2. Documentary Filmmaker: Create non-fiction films that tell powerful human stories. You'll research subjects, conduct interviews, and weave together visuals and narratives to create impactful documentaries.

3. Podcast Producer: Develop and produce narrative-driven podcasts. You'll find interesting stories, conduct audio interviews, and craft engaging audio narratives for listeners.

4. Content Strategist: Create storytelling strategies for brands or organizations. You'll develop narrative-driven content across various platforms to engage audiences and communicate messages effectively.

The Human Storyteller FAQs

1. How much writing is involved in this course? Expect to do a lot of writing, including several long-form pieces throughout the semester. You'll also read and analyze works by professional narrative journalists.

2. Do I need to have published work to take this class? No, prior publication isn't necessary. The course is designed to help you develop your skills, regardless of your starting point.

3. Will we learn about multimedia storytelling? While the focus is on written narratives, you may touch on multimedia elements. However, for in-depth multimedia training, consider taking a dedicated multimedia storytelling course.