The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has launched a redesign. Among other changes, the new version includes an increased use of alternative story forms and "charticles." Reader reaction has been fairly muted, although some offered the usual unflattering comparisons to USA Today.

Speaking of alternative story forms, the trend is reaching into the world of public relations. This news release from Coca-Cola is an example.

Late last year, I led a session for writers and editors at SAS Institute in Cary, N.C., and I included SAS press releases that I had rewritten and edited into alternative formats. The audience was receptive, but many writers there remain locked into the inverted pyramid.

This and previous posts on alternative story forms are collected here.