Jacqui Banaszynski's Six Paths to Story

Jacqui Banaszynski's "Six Paths to Story" outlines the multiple approaches a writer can take when contemplating how to structure their story. She outlines six paths in particular that a writer can take to present their information, or story, in a striking manner.

The following are two articles that follow on one of Banaszynski's paths:

1.) Issues and Trend Stories
New shopper for First Lady's fashion-The Washington Post

The fashion crowd has largely taken noticed of first lady Michelle Obama's satorial choices since President Obama entered the race in 2008. Fashion critics from every form of media have meticulously followed and analyzed Mrs. Obama's fashion. But with her recent choice to wear a British designer, the late Alexander McQueen, to the State dinner made Lady Obama supporters uneasy. This article from the Washington Post discusses what changes Obama-fashion devotees can expect with her popular stylist from Chicago, Ikram Goldman, turning over the reigns to one of Mrs. Obama's assistants. This fits into the issues and trends stories category because it discusses not only the first lady's role as trendsetter on a global stage but also what her satorial choices reflect about our country and how one of her assistants has now taken over the job of a skilled stylist with a certain trusted taste level.

2.) Issues and Trend Stories
Oscar Wins Considered Questionable

With the Academy Awards airing in less than four hours, viewers will be tunning into to see if their favorites stars win their well earned and deserved recognition for their exceptional contributions to film this year.  Or, for some, just watching the red carpet to see the glitz and glamour. This story, also from The Washington Post, discusses the Oscars seemingly favoritism towards actors who have gained or lost weigh in order to give  more authentic, visceral portrayal of their character. This articles falls into the issues and trend stories category because it discusses the habits of the Academy, over a period of time, in selecting the winners of the acting world's most prestigious award.



Check out all of Banaszynski's paths here.

As the Story Unfolds...

 Looks from Alexander Wang's Fall 2011 collection; Alexander Wang

(images via style.com)

BEFORE: 'Tis the season. New York Fashion Week began this past Thursday exhibiting all its suspecting traits of frenzied schedules, high anxiety, and of course, droves of industry insiders rattling their Blackberrys and venti Starbucks usuals in anticipation of designers' collections for the upcoming Fall 2011 season.

Alexander Wang, New York fashion's prince of downtown cool, attempted to feed fashion gatekeepers' thirst for something new while managing to maintain his now signature aesthetic. And boy, did he leave them satisfied.

AFTER: Alexander Wang, a young, Taiwanese-American designer and New York City's reigning prince of the downtown tough-chic aesthetic, presented his Fall/Winter 2011 collection during New York Fashion Week on Friday in Lincoln Center.

Robin Givhan on Franca Sozzani

 From the top: Franca Sozzani of Vogue Italia,  Fashion Critic and Style Writer Robin Givhan and Vogue Italia's collectors' Black Issue

(images via The Washington Post, robingivhan.com and vogue.it)

Robin Givhan of The Washington Post has long been a source of journalistic inspiration for me. She writes so concisely and with so much character. Her critical analysis of American society and how it translates in the fashion industry is distinctly impressive, so much so that she was the first fashion critic to win a Pulitzer Prize.  She presents the fashion news in a smart, informative way. Her article on Franca Sozzani and how she has become a crusader for diversity in an industry dominated by white faces is particularly compelling. Sozzani, the editor in chief of Vogue Italia, has gained more recognition since publishing the Vogue Black issue in 2008. The issue later became a collector’s item.

Givhan introduces the news story’s topic in the first sentence. Immediately, the reader knows who and what this piece is about. The first quote in the article comes in the first line of ninth paragraph. It is from a trusted colleague of Sozzani. Ambiguous language is used to introduce or close the quotes, such as says or recalls. If it is clear who the speaker is the author seldom mentions their name again and will instead proceed with the story.

Givhan is a master at providing context. As a result, her introductions to quotes are minimal. Also, she provides information about the speaker after their remark. It is a natural progression and allows the reader to focus on what the source is saying. Givhan uses quite a bit of paraphrasing and sticks to a well-balanced amount of quotes—about four or five a page. The paragraph lengths range in length but never exceed six sentences. Most stick to a healthy two or three. The article ends with one nice, short sentence. It is just enough—summary-like and smart.

Check out the story here.