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Module 010 - Reportage

This document defines and distinguishes reportage, literary journalism, and reporting. It begins by explaining that reportage refers to documented news events or material being reported in a factual, unemotional way. Literary journalism takes reportage a step further by using unique storytelling techniques and emotive language. Reporting is the act of broadcasting or publishing news, while reportage refers to the collection of those actions. The document provides characteristics of literary reportage, examples of the genre, and supplementary resources to further explain these creative nonfiction styles.

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436 views

Module 010 - Reportage

This document defines and distinguishes reportage, literary journalism, and reporting. It begins by explaining that reportage refers to documented news events or material being reported in a factual, unemotional way. Literary journalism takes reportage a step further by using unique storytelling techniques and emotive language. Reporting is the act of broadcasting or publishing news, while reportage refers to the collection of those actions. The document provides characteristics of literary reportage, examples of the genre, and supplementary resources to further explain these creative nonfiction styles.

Uploaded by

johnrealvernon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Creative Nonfiction - SHS

1
Reportage

Module 010 - Reportage

Last week, we looked at reportage in passing. At that time, though, we


glanced upon it under a different name: literary journalism. It can be argued,
however, that the two terms are different from one another. If this is your
stand point, then you are right. There is still a difference between the two
and today we will explore that and more.
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. Identify the characteristics of reportage
2. Distinguish reportage from reporting
3. Compare and contrast reportage and literary journalism
4. Define reportage
5. Modify a news report to make it sound more like literary reportage
The past few weeks had been busy with classifications and types. This week
is quieter, yet it clarifies some terms that we may mix and jumble a bit.

What is Reportage?
According to Merriam Webster, reportage is “the act or process of reporting news.” It can
also refer to the material that is being reported, which are “documented events.” Collins
Dictionary also defines it as “the reporting of news.” However, we are more interested in
the document, which is the creative nonfiction that the news reporter has to read.
The document that is read is usually devoid of opinions and emotions. Well-trained
broadcast journalists (both on television and over the radio) are expected to deliver their
report with as little emotion as possible. This is, of course, difficult to do when the news
cover some very devastating events. In the era of celebrity journalists and political
partisanship, the delivery has become more opinionated and laden with emotions.

Reportage versus Literary Journalism


Without the term “literary”, reportage may simply be filed under nonfiction, without the
“creative” tag. It, however, may also be written and delivered in a completely objective
manner. The news that you see at a certain hour every day may be that type of objective.
However, there is some hour-long news or even investigative report that could certainly
fall under both reportage and literary journalism. The contents have been thoroughly
researched and the documents gathered, thus establishing fact. Still, an angle is explored
thoroughly in a different manner. Even subtly but effectively changing the delivery from
the usual monotonous plug places the report under creative nonfiction grounds.
Literary journalism is a version of reportage, however, that deals with the delivery.
Reporters who try to be as unique, as artful, and as emotive as possible go beyond just the
facts. They maintain the facts, but they apply literary devices.
Course Module
Reportage versus Reporting
Now, what about the difference between reportage and reporting? Reporting is the act of
broadcasting the news via television or radio, or printing it on newspapers or journals.
Reportage just happens to be the act of doing that, making the verb a noun and often as a
collective set of actions.
Example:
Martha Alexander is reporting for CNN. Her reportage is objective but compelling.

Characteristics of Literary Reportage


 Immersion reporting
 Complicated angles and structures
 Highlighting of the common man involved
 Reveals voice of the writer/reporter
 Connects the dots between and among existing news items about the topic

Examples of Literary Journalism or Literary Reportage


 A Hanging by George Orwell
 The San Francisco Earthquake, by Jack London
 The Church of Fear: Inside the Weird World of Scientology, by John Sweeney
 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

Glossary
Broadcast: transmit via radio or television
Literary Journalism: is a type of creative nonfiction that depends on well-researched,
accurate information
News: notable recent events
Reportage: reporting of news by broadcast or publication
Reporting: to give a written or spoken account of something, especially news

References and Supplementary Materials


Books and Journals
Lopate, P. (2013). To Show and to Tell: The Craft of Literary Nonfiction. Wilmington:
University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Online Supplementary Reading Materials


A Hanging, by George Orwell; https://www.thoughtco.com/a-hanging-by-george-orwell-
1690277; 28th August 2017
The San Francisco Earthquake, by Jack London; https://www.thoughtco.com/the-story-
of-an-eyewitness-essay-by-jack-london-1688764; 28th August 2017
Creative Nonfiction - SHS
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Reportage

Online Instructional Videos


Boynton on Literary Reportage; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQDhqLTMww4;
28th August 2017

Course Module

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