Through qualitative content analysis of breaking and traditional news coverage of the balloon boy hoax, this article expands on research that explores how journalists craft resonance through storytelling. Scholars haven’t applied resonance to breaking news; yet, it is an important context in which to study resonance—news values and routines differ, and the impact on audiences is greater. Because journalists apply different news values and storytelling techniques in breaking news, this storytelling context heightens resonance.
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