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Story Arc Intelligence
Database
A proprietary structured intelligence framework for journalists, researchers, and communications professionals. Map every dimension of your story — who, what, where, why, how, when, and so what — in one rigorous, exportable system.
What is it
Every story has seven dimensions.
Most journalists track only two or three.
The Factual Inquirer Story Arc Database is a proprietary intelligence system built around the five Ws — extended to seven. It gives you a disciplined framework to surface sources, map causality, identify gaps, and build richer, more accountable journalism. Use it for investigations, features, campaigns, PR briefs, or broadcast planning.
The Framework
Seven dimensions. One rigorous system.
- Story Subjects — Central Characters
- Expert Voices & Spokespeople
- Lived Experience & Community Voices
- Decision-Makers & Power Holders
- Opposition & Counter-Voices
- Core Event or Issue
- Policy & Legislation
- Data & Statistics
- Controversy, Conflict or Tension
- Reports & Announcements
- Primary Story Location
- Affected Areas & Communities
- Institutional Locations
- International & Comparative
- Virtual & Online Spaces
- Root Causes & Systemic Drivers
- Political & Policy Drivers
- Economic Drivers
- Motivations of Key Actors
- Legal & Regulatory Context
- Processes & Systems
- Decision-Making & Governance
- Data & Evidence Trail
- How the Story Was Uncovered
- Legal & Financial Mechanisms
- Origin & History
- Key Escalation Points
- Recent Developments
- Upcoming Decisions & Deadlines
- Future Projections & Forecasts
- Direct Human Impact
- Economic & Policy Consequences
- Health & Wellbeing
- Accountability & Justice
- Solutions — What Good Looks Like
How it works
From brief to broadcast in four steps.
Inside the Template
10 sheets. Every dimension covered.
A professionally formatted Excel workbook that mirrors the full Story Arc Database — colour-coded by dimension, with category groupings and space for dozens of entries per sheet.
- COVER — Project brief, metadata & dimension summary
- USER GUIDE — How to use every sheet
- WHO — 7 source & subject categories
- WHAT — 8 event & evidence categories
- WHERE — 6 location categories
- WHY · HOW · WHEN · SO WHAT
- CONTACTS MASTER — Aggregated people & sources
Who uses it
Built for every kind of storyteller.
Maps the full web of actors, evidence, and causality across a long-running investigation — keeping teams aligned through months of reporting.
Structures pre-production research for a documentary — location scouts, contributors, timelines, and ‘so what’ framing all before the shoot.
Pressure-tests a campaign brief by mapping the full story landscape — anticipating journalists’ questions before they’re ever asked.
Get in touch
Access the complete toolkit.
For access to our wider proprietary datasets — enhanced storytelling databases, beat-specific source libraries, sector intelligence frameworks, and full client customisation — complete the form and a member of the team will be in touch.
Thank you for your enquiry. A member of the Factual Inquirer team will be in touch shortly to discuss your access requirements.
Direct contact
Prefer to reach us directly?
Our team is available by email or WhatsApp to discuss access, licensing, and bespoke toolkit requirements.
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Enhanced Storytelling DatabasesDeep-sourced, sector-specific intelligence frameworks built for long-form investigation and broadcast research.
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Beat-Specific Source LibrariesPre-mapped source networks across health, politics, business, crime, and more — ready for immediate use.
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Sector Intelligence FrameworksProprietary research structures tailored to specific industries, institutions, or story territories.
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Full Client CustomisationBespoke database builds and branded toolkits for newsrooms, PR agencies, and communications teams.
Start your next story arc right.
Download the free Excel template and bring structure, rigour, and clarity to every story you cover — from first brief to final word.