But if you look past the graphs and data tables, the studies suggest some simple steps you can take to help make stories more memorable-suggestions some news directors, reporters and photographers already apply because they believe it makes good sense. Consider these seven steps as a way to enhance your value to your viewers. That's one reason emotional stories work so well on television. And studies confirm that people remember emotional stories better than dull ones. But there's a catch.
Emotional content requires more effort for viewers to process.
Lane Michaelsen, news director at KTHV-TV in Little Rock, AR, says that when a story has emotional video, he sees no point in using wipes, graphics or gimmicks. It clutters up the newscast. Just because it's cool is no reason to do it. The research supports his perspective, and goes even further. Studies suggest that when a story has emotional video or just an emotional theme, you should keep the presentation simple to avoid overtaxing the viewer.