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Journal Article 1: Morin, A. (2016). Framing terror: The strategies newspapers use to frame an act as terror or crime. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 93, 986–1005. Article first published online: July 29, 2016; Issue published: December 1, 2016.

Abstract: The study identifies seven rhetorical strategies newspapers use to frame the acts of violence as terrorism or crime by comparatively analyzing the news coverage of the Ft. Hood and the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard shootings in three major newspapers. It examines the framing of the incidents, the strategies used to constitute the frames, the functions these strategies serve, and the media’s contribution to the discourse of terror.

Journal Article 2: Shen, F., Ahern, L., & Baker, M. (2014). Stories that count: Influence of news narratives on issue attitudes. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 91, 98–117. Article first published March 1, 2014.

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of using narratives to frame a political issue on individuals’ attitudes. In an experiment, we asked participants to read either narrative or informational news articles that emphasized the potential economic benefits or environmental consequences associated with shale gas drilling. Results indicated both news formats (narrative vs. informational) and frames (environmental vs. economic) had significant immediate effects on issue attitudes and other responses; narrative environmental news had a significantly greater impact than informational environmental news. Cognitive responses and empathy were significant partial mediators of narrative impact. Environmental narratives also had a more significant impact on individuals’ delayed issue attitudes.