AustLit

A research project established by Dr Willa McDonald with Dr Bunty Avieson and Dr Kerrie Davies for Macquarie University.

This is the first stage of a larger study that aims to define Australian narrative journalism and trace its history from 1788 to today. The term ‘narrative journalism’ (sometimes called ‘literary journalism) has come to be associated with factual reporting that uses scenes, characterisation, dialogue, point of view, setting and other literary techniques usually connected with imaginative storytelling. While legacy media outlets are shrinking around the world, narrative journalism can be found in book form, in prestige Australian print publications and on websites that provide long-form, in-depth content.

Originally published on a pilot Wordpress site, the project was moved to AustLit and expanded by Dr Willa McDonald in 2017-2018.