Over three intensive days, from April 22 to 24, ARIJ organized an in-person training in Amman for seven journalists (86% Female) from AlGhad Newspaper. The training, supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and held in collaboration with Alghad Newspaper, focused on writing skills and the art of storytelling. The sessions were led by ARIJ Executive Editor, Ibrahim Hamada.


The training witnessed active engagement from the attendees, who took part in practical sessions emphasizing the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, and how to craft compelling narratives that captivate readers and effectively convey messages.


Throughout the workshop, journalists explored the fundamentals of storytelling, learned about its diverse forms, and understood the importance of chronological order in building coherent narratives. They also received practical tips to enhance the quality of their texts before, during, and after writing.


Trainer Hamada shared practical tips focused on clarity, structure, and narrative strength, including:

• The introduction is the story’s best ambassador, and it should be directly connected to the main idea. It must be concise yet compelling, designed to immediately engage the reader.
• Bringing humanity to a story isn’t necessarily about beginning with a tragic event.
• The main character carries the story, so choose someone who brings it to life, and remember, they don’t always have to be the victim.
• A good text relies on short sentences and well-structured paragraphs.
• Avoid overly formal or preachy writing. Stick to the facts and let the story speak for itself.
• Capturing what you observe in the field is crucial, it’s the heartbeat of any journalistic piece.

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Journalist Taghreed Al-Saaydeh described the workshop as: “Highly engaging, far from monotonous or rote learning. The trainer’s skills and approach help participants develop deeper thinking in choosing expressions for news stories. It is also important for promoting continuous learning in journalism, regardless of years of experience.“

The workshop concluded with the distribution of copies of the updated edition of the “Investigative Journalism Handbook,” released by ARIJ in late 2024. The handbook provides a practical methodology to support beginner journalists in the Arab world in transforming information into engaging investigative stories. The distribution aimed to enhance participants’ benefit from the skills acquired during the training.



This training was held as part of the ongoing collaboration between ARIJ and Al-Ghad Newspaper, organized with the support of Free Press Unlimited (FPU).