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Writer's pictureOH LI JUN

Tutorial 3


What is a long form story?

A long form story is a style of narrative writing that tells a thorough and in-depth tale with a great deal of depth and complexity. A long form story might be several thousand words or longer, as opposed to shorter writing styles like news articles or blog posts, and often needs a slower pacing to be effective. Investigative journalism, memoirs, biographies, and fiction are just a few examples of the numerous forms that long form tales can take. They frequently include protracted research, numerous interviews, and in-depth knowledge of the subject. To provide the audience a gripping and immersive reading experience, they may also use descriptive language and strong images. Compared to shorter works of writing, long form stories are intended to engage the reader more deeply and offer a more detailed analysis of a topic or theme. They can be difficult to write, but when done well, they can be quite gratifying for the author and the reader.


Long-form story 1

Our burnout moment is a good thing.


Story About

Based on the story on Wired titled “Our Burnout Moments is a good thing”, burnout has become a widespread issue affecting individuals across various industries and professions. It is a state of chronic stress and exhaustion that can lead to physical, emotional, and mental burnout. Burnout can result from prolonged exposure to stressful work environments, heavy workloads, and a lack of support or resources. In this article, we explore the phenomenon of burnout, its causes, symptoms, and potential solutions. We also examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated burnout and discuss ways to prevent and cope with burnout in our daily lives.


The article was published in Wired UK on February 23, 2021. The article discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of burnout and how society is starting to acknowledge and address this issue.


The article highlights how the pandemic has created a perfect storm for burnout, with many people experiencing increased workloads, longer working hours, isolation, and uncertainty. The article also discusses how burnout is not just limited to the workplace, but can also occur in personal life due to the pandemic's impact on social connections and routines.


The article further explores how burnout has become a moment for change and action, with individuals, organizations, and policymakers starting to recognize the severity of the issue and take steps to address it. The article suggests that this moment presents an opportunity for society to prioritize well-being and mental health, both in the workplace and in daily life.


Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the current state of burnout and the societal response to this issue during the pandemic.


Efforts the story has

There is a title on the top of the article to attract the attention of readers and provide a clear heading that lets them know what the story is about. Follow on with a subtitle to complement the main topic and give the readers some expectation about what they are going to consume. Next, there are also some hyperlinks in the article to let the readers know more about the details of the content that are mentioned. It is very convenient that readers just have to click on the highlighted word, and they will be able to navigate to a specific website.


What to improve? Why?

First and foremost, using a [1] subheading in this long form story is beneficial to the readers that are reading this story as it is easier for the article to guide the reader effectively into knowing where they are in the article at the current moment. It is also beneficial to the readers to easily find the topic they needed in the article and doesn’t need to waste their time reading the article throughout the website.


Secondly, adding [2] photos into the article would make the readers more interested in the article and the use of images can improve the article's visual appeal, break up long passages of text, and make it simpler to read. They are useful in illustrating the article's points and offering concrete instances of the ideas under discussion. For instance, images can aid readers in visualising and understanding of a particular setting or incident when the article discusses them.


While traditional reading is a great method for engaging with an article, [3] audiobooks provide a fresh and modern way to consume written material. Audiobooks are useful for individuals who struggle to read written material due to visual impairments or learning problems. Additionally, they enable readers to access material while engaging in other activities like exercising, travelling, or doing housework which allow a simpler way for them to read in a hectic schedule.


[4] Interactive words can increase the article's reading and motivate readers to interact with it for longer periods of time. This higher level of involvement can result in a more thorough comprehension of the subject matter and a more enjoyable reading experience. Moreover, it may provide readers a more individualised experience by letting them determine the information they interact with. This method can encourage readers to feel more engaged in the content and increase the probability that they will recommend it to others.


Storyboard


Long-form story 2

What Covid-19’s long tail is revealing about disease


Story About

This article was published in BBC on June 10, 2021, which discuss the ongoing research into "long COVID", a condition where people continue to experience symptoms of COVID-19 for weeks or even months after their initial infection. While the duration of long COVID can vary from person to person, studies suggest that it may affect around 10% of those who have had COVID-19.


The symptoms of long COVID can range from mild to severe and can include fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and chronic pain. The article notes that there is still much that researchers don't know about long COVID, including why some people develop it and how long it can last.


Some studies suggest that most people with long COVID recover within 12 months, but others have reported persistent symptoms for much longer. It's also possible that some people may experience relapses or new symptoms over time.


Overall, while more research is needed to fully understand long COVID and its effects, the article suggests that it is a real and potentially serious condition that can have a significant impact on people's lives. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the possibility of long COVID in their patients and to provide appropriate support and treatment.


Efforts the story has

The first effort that is included in the story is subheading. The writer added a few subheadings across the text to provide further context or support behind the headline. The purpose of it is also to keep the reader interested while providing just enough information to encourage further reading of the content. It not only helps with navigation but also builds the structure of a page, aiming to engage readers and maintain their interest. Besides, the writer also uses a lot of hyperlinks in the text to navigate the reader to other websites and files for more detailed information. It also acts as evidence to prove that the information stated is accurate. Lastly, there are some images to complement the text and engage the reader. It also has a context that explains what the images want to bring out.


What to improve? Why?

First, having an [1] audiobook in your article could assist readers in understanding complicated or technical topics. This is due to the fact that reading an item aloud makes it more immersive and entertaining, which might increase understanding. Not only that, the material could also be brought to life by professional narrators by adding their tone, accent, and emotion. This may give the written material more complexity and depth, which will make it to.

[2] Infographics are potent tools that may significantly increase an article's efficacy. A visually appealing infographic can add excitement and commitment to a simple piece of writing. Infographics could enhance the visual appeal and understanding of an article by breaking up lengthy passages of text. They can expand the audience for the content and are also very accessible on social media sites. Infographics are simple to distribute and are more likely to be distributed than text-only information because of their visual content.


Adding [3] videos containing interviews with medical professionals and public health authorities who can give information regarding COVID-19, such as the most recent findings on vaccines or treatment alternatives allow the readers to better grasp the situation of the pandemic today by hearing directly from experts. Furthermore, they may be applied to share the life experiences of COVID-19 victims, such as front-line healthcare providers or those who have recovered. The article can foster empathy and establish an emotional connection with readers by including personal stories.


The information mentioned in the article can be improved by showing visually by using an [4] interactive map. When presenting information relevant to place or location, in particular, this could make the content more interesting and understandable for the readers. It could also make it possible for readers to engage with and visually study the data that is relevant to the article's subject. This can improve accessibility and comprehension of the data, especially when addressing big datasets from other sources.


Storyboards


Overall comments and suggestions

In conclusion, long-form stories may fascinate people and convey complicated storylines and concepts. Long-form stories can deepen understanding and promote critical thinking by covering a topic from multiple angles. Long-form storytelling can also make readers feel and connect. This can improve reader engagement, social sharing, and action. Moreover, long-form narrative is vital to journalism, literature, and other media. Long-form storytelling reminds us of the potential of slowing down and exploring difficult topics as attention spans diminish in our fast-paced society.

Digital storytelling increases participation, engagement, and interactivity. Digital storytelling lets users create and share material. Social media, blogs, and podcasts let people give their own stories, thoughts, and viewpoints, which boosts their engagement with the information. Next is engagement. Digital storytelling is more immersive than traditional communication. It allows the use of images, videos, and audio to engage the audience. Lastly, interactivity. Digital storytelling tools provide audience interaction and input through comments, likes, and shares. This encourages audience participation and builds community around the topic. Digital storytelling boosts participation, engagement, and interactivity. It helps people connect and share their stories in a more engaging and participatory way, strengthening relationships and communities.



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