Enthusiastic Response to Narrative Writing Training by Bappenas and SKALA

The Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) recently held a highly successful Narrative Writing Training in collaboration with the Australia-Indonesia Partnership SKALA Program. The training was a resounding success with enthusiastic participation from all attendees. Facilitated by the Kompas Institute, the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ narrative writing skills, focusing on effective and clear information delivery.

From the outset, the workshop was characterized by the energetic and engaged participation of the attendees. Their punctual arrival and orderly registration set a positive tone, demonstrating their keen interest in the training. The event began with a brief ceremony featuring representatives from Kompas Institute, SKALA, and Bappenas, followed by a lively group photo session that fostered a sense of camaraderie.

The significant turnout, with 110 participants from the Deputy for Population and Manpower at Bappenas underscored the high level of enthusiasm. Feedback from participants, who praised the interactive and engaging nature of the training, attested to its effectiveness and relevance.

The first session, “Effective Language and Sentences in Delivering Messages,” was led by Kompas Daily’s experienced Language Coordinators, Retmawati and Lucia Dwi Puspita Sari. They covered topics such as proper sentence structure, diction selection, and the importance of concise and clear sentences. The interactive delivery, case examples, and discussions, kept participants highly engaged emphasizing the topic’s relevance.

Anoraga Ilafi Perdana, a participant and staff member from the Directorate of Manpower at Bappenas, shared his positive experience, stating, “This training has been a transformative experience for me. It has corrected many of my misconceptions about language and effective sentences and has significantly improved my writing skills. I now feel more confident in my daily work.”

The second session, “Narrative Writing Techniques,” led by Kompas journalists Sekar Gandhawangi and Melati Mewangi focused on basic narrative writing techniques, including understanding the 5W + 1H and inverted pyramid. Participants practiced selecting vital information, developing ideas, and structuring effective writing, with a Q&A segment to clarify any doubts or seek further guidance on the topics discussed.

Following a lunch break and a brief quiz session, the third session explored advanced narrative writing techniques such as character development, plot structuring, and narrative pacing. Through case studies and in-depth discussions, participants enriched their understanding of these techniques. An interactive Q&A session followed allowing participants to delve deeper into the material.

Participants then applied their newfound knowledge by crafting a narrative focusing on descriptive language, maintaining a consistent narrative voice, and structuring the story effectively. This hands-on practice, coupled with group discussions and evaluations, reinforced the skills learned.

Retmawati, a Kompas Language Coordinator and trainer, was deeply impressed by the participants’ active involvement.

“It was truly inspiring. The participants were not just bright, but also incredibly enthusiastic. They asked numerous insightful questions in class, whether it was about report writing or popular articles. Some even went the extra mile and submitted their articles to Kompas. When given the task to write, they were eager, even requesting additional time to produce exceptional pieces,” Retma noted.

The Training was a resounding success, providing a platform for participants to practice and enhance their writing skills under expert guidance.

Riski Raisa Putra, a participant and Staff of the Directorate of Manpower at Bappenas, expressed hope for more collaborative training sessions with SKALA.

“Given the vast amount of information and data we handle daily at Bappenas, this training is a game-changer. It equips us with the skills to transform this data into engaging content for the public. I look forward to more regular and intensive coaching sessions in the future, which I believe will make this collaboration even more productive,” Riski said.

SKALA supports Bappenas to strengthen and enhance the communication of key policy messages and government programs to the public. The Narrative Writing Training helps ensure information is delivered in an engaging and effective manner, allowing critical messages to reach and be understood by a broader audience.