Every writer knows the importance of writing for content, audience, and purpose. An important aspect of writing is to write appropriately for the genre of the piece. Obviously, you would write an obituary much differently than you would write a script for a standup comedy act. While writers are accountable for writing for purpose, it is also the writer’s responsibility to know the difference between similar genres. Mr. Clark furthers this belief by specifying the difference between reports and stories: “Reports convey information. Stories create experience.” He also challenges the popular assumptions that reports need to be dull and stories need to be interesting. He says their level of enticement isn’t the main difference between them.
Mr. Clark exemplifies the difference:
Report: “The school board will meet Thursday to discuss the new desegregation plan.”
Story: “Wanda Mitchell shook her fist at the school board chairman, tears streaming down her face.”
Mr. Clark emphasizes the importance of looking at the five Ws and H. I have set up a chart to show the difference between those aspects in stories and reports:
REPORT | STORY |
| WHO | CHARACTER |
| WHAT | ACTION |
| WHERE | SETTING |
| WHEN | CHRONOLOGY |
| WHY | CAUSE/MOTIVE |
| HOW | PROCESS |
The first step in this process is to decide whether the assignment calls for a story approach or a more report-based focus. The next step is to remember the difference the two and write appropriately.
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