A good story should have the 5Ws and 1H: What, why, When, Where, Who, and How.
Before writing a story, the communicator must be clear about what the story is about and what they want the audience to know.
The “What” tells us what the story is about and the key information we want our audience to understand. The “Why” explains why it is important for people to know about the information. The “When” tells us when the event took place, while the “Where” identifies the location where the event happened.
The “Who” focuses on the hero or main subject of the story. As the storyteller, the communicator chooses, “who” should be at the centre of the story, keeping the target audience in mind.
Finally, the “How” explains how the event happened or how the story unfolded.
Before telling a good story, one must prepare adequately. This includes conducting research and gathering relevant information, especially about the person or people being interviewed.
Proper preparation helps the communicator to ask meaningful questions and tell the story accurately.
Every story has an audience.
Therefore, the communicator must always consider who the story is meant for and what message they should take away from it.
On August 31, 2026, the Catholic Sister Communicators Network – Ghana ( CASCON-GH ) held its Day Two in-person training at the Kumasi Spiritual Renewal Center, Santasi.
The training session focused on the importance of storytelling and the need for communicators to write with the end in mind.
The session was facilitated by Ms. Jennifer Akuamoah and was highly interactive.
Participants actively engaged in discussions and reflections on how to develop meaningful stories that connect with their audiences.
The session emphasised that effective communication is not simply about writing words but about telling stories that have a clear purpose, speak to a specific audience, and communicate a message that people can understand and remember.
The training reminded Catholic Sister Communicators that every story should have a purpose and that good preparation, research, and attention to the 5Ws and 1H are essential for effective storytelling.
By Sr. Grace Ku-inne SMI
(Catholic Sister Communicators Network – Ghana, CASCON-GH)
