Crafting Narrative Investigations with Power and Precision
- Elizabeth Clemons
- Aug 15
- 1 min read
Workshop Recording
Join Sunlight Research Center and investigative journalist Andrea Ball for a hands-on workshop exploring the art and craft of narrative investigations — a storytelling approach that uses real people as the engine of deep, fact-based journalism. Narrative investigations rely on scenes, dialogue, character, and emotional stakes to bring truth to life — merging the immersive power of fiction with the rigor of investigative reporting.​
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Finding the story: Learn how to identify stories that lend themselves to narrative form — and how to determine when a character, moment, or thread has the depth and tension to sustain a long-form investigation.
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Reporting for narrative: Go beyond basic fact-gathering with techniques for interviewing that reveal nuance and emotional truth, how to structure scenes from real events, and how to research thoroughly without losing the story’s heartbeat.
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Writing and resilience: Explore best practices in narrative writing — from strong verbs and tight structure to restraint with quotes — while also diving into ethics, source psychology, fact-checking, and self-care in emotionally demanding investigations.
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Whether you're working on your first narrative piece or looking to sharpen your tools, this session offers practical guidance and inspiration from a journalist who’s spent years telling powerful true stories that read like fiction — and hold up under scrutiny.
Questions or comments about Sunlight's workshops and resources? Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@sunlightresearch.net.