The Elements of An Effective Digital Story:

The 7 Elements of An Effective Digital Story:A Checklist for Digital StorytellingWitten by Jessica RobertsPoint of View: Whats Your Angle?What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author? (Module 1 Readings, 2009)

Check List For An Effective Point of View

Do you tell your story from a specific point of view?Does your story offer a fresh or unique perspective?Is your perspective clearly communicated?Will your audience understand your purpose?Are you consistent with your point of view?A Dramatic Question: Whats It All About?A key question that keeps the viewers attention and will be answered by the end of the story. (Module 1 Readings, 2009)

Check List For The Effective Dramatic Question

Is your dramatic question clearly stated or communicated at the beginning of your story?Is the question answered or fully explored by the end of the story?Is the question dramatic and intriguing?Does each part of your story contribute to the question?Emotional Content: And I Should Care Because?Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way connects the story to the audience. (Module 1 Readings, 2009)

Check List For Effective Emotional Content

What emotions should your audience feel? Do you feel those emotions when you view the story?Do all of the sounds and images work together to evoke the same emotions?Is your storys content controversial? Personal? Inspiring? Shocking?

Narration: Whos Telling This Story, Anyway?A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context. (Module 1 Readings, 2009)

Check List For Effective Narration

Is the narration easily understood?Does it complement the content?Does your narration help make connections and explain difficult concepts?Can you easily hear the narration?

Sound Effects: Do You Hear What I Hear?Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline. (Module 1 Readings, 2009)

Checklist for Effective Sound EffectsDo your sound effects enhance or distract from the storys message?Did you cite any music and follow the fair use guide lines?

Ella Fitzgerald- Ive Got A Crush On You (Decca Records, 1950) Sound Clip Courtesy of YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WP1p3mUKDw

Economy of Content: Too Much? Too Little? Or Just Right?Checklist For Effective Economy of Content

Do you repeat yourself?Say what you need to say and then stop.Go through every piece of your story and ask yourself, Do I really need this to tell my story?Is your story well organized and well said?Do you limit the amount of text used?

Pacing: Are We There Yet?Checklist For Effective PacingDont talk about one thing too long or your audience will lose interest.Use music to help you set a good pace.Vary the time you spend according to the importance of the content. Spend more time on the most important information and emotional content.

Character Approved:A Good ExampleThis is a digital story about USA Network's Character Approved Award. This is an award that honors individuals who are changing the face of American Culture. In the story, the Character Approved Honorees of 2011 explore the idea of being Character Approved. Below I have provided a link to this digital story. This story is 1 min. long.

Click Here

BibliographyCHARACTER APPROVED (2011). [Webisode]. USA Network. http://video.usanetwork.com/features/character_approved_2011#////features/character_approved_2011/character-approved/v1312689. Fitzgerald, E. (Performer). (1950). Ive Got A Crush On You. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WP1p3mUKDw. Grand Canyon University. (n.d.). Module 1 Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2011, from TEC-539 Digital Media in Education 23-JUN-2011 (O101): http://angel04.gcu.edu/section/default.asp?id=827827 Photos and Clip Art Courtesy of Microsoft PowerPoint Clip Art Gallery