Story structure: murder isn’t inherently interesting

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Date
11/16/2025
Time
12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Where
Online Workshop
Cost
$100.00
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What is the difference between a story that compels and a story that wilts? The exact same set of details and characters can compel listeners or bore them, based simply on how well a story is structured. In this online class, we’ll talk about the elements of a good narrative, and how to piece those together in a way that provokes curiosity, emotion and clarity – including how to decide which details to sit in, skim or skip, how to build curiosity throughout, and how give a story meaning without being heavy-handed.

 

 

About Your Instructor

Karen Duffin

Karen is a longform journalist, editor and host, whose stories blend in-depth reporting with narrative storytelling. Most recently, she was a host of NPR's Planet Money and, before that, a reporter at This American Life and More Perfect. Karen's stories have appeared on Radiolab, Reply All, Rough Translation, On the Media, The Rumpus and others. She is also a live storytelling performer with shows like The Moth and Pop Up Magazine. Karen has taught audio documentary at the Columbia, NYU and CUNY Graduate Schools of Journalism, and live storytelling as a story coach for The Moth. Before becoming a journalist, Karen spent several years as a speechwriter, working in more than 20 countries.

Notes on this Class

Refund and recording policy: Classes will not be recorded and are non-refundable. We are not able to issue a refund if you cancel or do not attend a class. If you are unable to make a class, you are welcome to sell or give away your ticket and email the name of the new attendee to info@radiobootcamp.org. You will receive a Zoom link for the workshop the day before it begins.
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