Reporting and Interviewing

Based on ASNE Reynolds High SchoolJournalism Institute with additions from

Mrs. Bomeisl

10 steps for Writing a News Story① Find something to write about.

② Conduct Interviews / research.

③ Choose the Best quotes.

④ Report and check for accuracy.

⑤ Be Objective and Fair.

⑥ Craft a great lede.

⑦ Structure the story.

⑧ Attribute Sources.

⑨ Check AP Style

⑩ Decide if there is a follow-up story.

So, how do you do that?

Building to Reporting

Story IdeaReporting

WritingEditing

Audience (Target Market)

A Strong News Story

• Readers understand the basics.– News (5W/H)– Background

ANYTOWN _ Anytown Public Service announced Tuesday that it will seek approval for a 17 percent hike in electric rates beginning July 1. The utility said it needs the money to cover the cost of a new state law requiring that it get more electricity from wind farms. It plans to build a wind farm north of town. The utility plans to seek approval for the increase from the state Corporation Commission. It would be the third time in five years that APS has raised rates.

Who

What

Where When

Why

How

Backg

rou

nd

Missing: SO WHAT?

A Strong News Story

“Too many stories fail to answer the reader’s most challenging question: So what?”

Roy Peter ClarkThe Poynter Institute

Readers understand the basics.– News (5W/H)– Background and Context

• Readers care about it.– Impact– Human Dimension

A Strong News Story

SO THAT’S HOW THIS AFFECTS ME AND MY WORLD!

Readers understand the basics.– News (5W/H)– Background

ANYTOWN _ Susanna Escobar’s electric bill is about to jump for the third time in five years. For a 79-year-old widow on a fixed income, that’s going to mean some difficult choices. “What do I cut? My medicine?” said Escobar, who lives in a two-bedroom condo in northeast Anytown. Anytown Public Service announced Tuesday that it’s seeking approval to raise rates by 17 percent beginning July 1. For an average household, that means another $35 a month on top of a $206 bill. The utility said it needs the money to cover the cost of a new state law requiring more energy from renewable sources. It plans to build a $2 billion wind farm north of town. APS is following utilities in 21 other states that are requiring more energy from sources that don’t produce greenhouse gases. State officials and environmentalists say consumers will benefit in the long run by helping utilities develop technologies that don’t contribute as much to climate change. “This is the price of beneficial change,” Mayor Betty Doe said. “It’s worth it.” Escobar appreciates that, but she’s worried about paying for her prescriptions. …

A Strong News Story

IMPACT:$35 on average

electric bill

HUMAN DIMENSION:Impact told througha person or people

CONTEXT:Connect to larger trend,

summarize stated benefits

A Strong News StoryR

epo

rting

Plan

• Readers understand the basics.– News (5W/H)– Background, Context

• Readers care about it.– Impact– Human Dimension

A Strong News Story

Reporting Plan• Who has/might have the information?• What questions must be answered?• For each of these:

News (5W/H) Background, Context Impact Human Dimension

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME AND MY

WORLD?

Reader

Story Mapping

BRITNEYSPEARS

Divorce, child custody

Troubled child star

Spray-on abs

Sisterpregnant

Teen marriage

Teen pregnancy

How do teens deal with it? Any at my school?

How do teens deal with it? Any at my school?

Bodyimage

Tanningtrend?

How do teens at my school and experts see this as affecting kids?

Are teens at my school doing this? Why? Is it a good idea?

How many students at my school are children of divorce? How does it affect them?

Stage mothers & fathers

When doproblemsstart?

What do members of drama, chorus, band, etc. think? Lessons for them?

Do drama, chorus, band, advisers look out for this? If so, what do they do?

• Idea: Are kids at my school using spray-on abs? If so, why? Are there drawbacks?

• 5WH – Do tanning salons say teens doing it? – Do students say they do it?– Sources: Salons, students.

• Background and Context– What exactly are “spray-on abs?”– Reason we care: Britney (background)

• Did Britney’s appearance raise interest?

– Is this a national trend among everyone, teens?– Sources: Articles, experts, interest groups.

Reporting Plan

You’ll almost always want to be straight on background before interviewing.

• Impact– Does this mean more business/money for tanning

salons?– How much does it cost?– What advantages do kids report?– Are there disadvantages for users?– Sources: Salons, kids, experts, int. groups.

• Human Dimension – Not a strong story if you can’t find students who

do this and learn out why.– Story would benefit from seeing someone get

spray-on abs.– Sources: Students, salons.

Reporting Plan

Biggest challenge

A Strong News StoryR

epo

rting

Plan

PreliminaryResearch

Interview, Observe,Review

Repeat as Needed

• Readers understand the basics.– News (5W/H)– Background, Context

• Readers care about it.– Impact– Human Dimension

• Falcon Voice Journalism Reporting PlanReporter’s Name:Sections Editor’s Name:

Working Slug: (working headline until a better one is created)

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

• PitchShare your story idea and explain how you will connect it to our readership. Stay neutral and list why you think this will be the “best” story in this issue.

• Why is it important? Why does this story matter? Why does it matter right now?

• Who is affected by this story? Who is going to care about it? • What are possible reactions to the story? How does this story

give people the ability to make decisions? What will people do after reading the story?

•

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

• Sources: • Where can you find this type of information?

Include email addresses and/or phone numbers here if emails need to be sent of calls need to be made. Check schedules for availability.

• What are the best sources for data?• Who are on your “must interview” list and why are

they on that list?• What questions must be answered? Brainstorm

a list of questions pertinent to the story.

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

• Impact/So What?Tell your editor how this story will affect our readers. Unless you can explain why our readers would care about this issue, the story will probably end up being dropped so be specific. What questions need to be answered to fully explain the impact this story should have on our readers?

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

• BackgroundWhat do you need to explain so that our readers will understand the topic and how it relates to them? Think of our 5W and H coverage.

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

• Elaboration/Human DimensionIs there a “real person” to use for this story?

• What other stories need to be told to illustrate this topic?

• How can you personalize the story through those involved?

Reporting Plan

Pick one idea for a story and fill in a reporting plan.

Background Research

• Online research pitfalls– How do you attribute it?– Where does plagiarism begin?

• Google, etc.– Help you ask better questions– Wikipedia isn’t necessarily the devil– Reliable Sources: Official data, officials sites

• Interview other people– Often done with profiles

Interview: Defined

• A conversation directed toward a goal.• Any interview begins with a goal:

– This comes from your reporting plan.– Be ready to change direction based on what

you find.

• Direct interviews toward this goal:– Select sources strategically– Frame questions well (research helps)– Seek detail, clear answers; follow up

Arranging an Interview

• Call, e-mail, letter, show up -- depends on story

• Identify yourself (never misrepresent)

• Set place:– If possible, in person (subject’s turf)– Sometimes done by phone (better in person)

• Describe story– General terms– If necessary, explain benefits to reluctant source– Never misrepresent

Conducting an Interview

• The Basics:– Dress appropriately– Be on time (10 minutes early)

• Structure– Funnel interview (background first)– Inverted funnel (straight to point)

• Plan your questions– Stems from research -- do your homework!– Open- vs. closed-ended– Adjust structure, questions if necessary

Pierce Morgan: Scalia Interview

Conducting the Interview

• What does Pierce Morgan do well?

Conducting the Interview

• Establish rapport– Small talk (homework pays off here)

• “I understand you are from Mequon, Wis.”• Look for pictures, funny decorations, things in common• Eye contact• Don’t convey a bias either way

• Writing, Recording– Notebooks and recorders intimidate

• If possible, don’t whip out notebook right away• Ask permission to take tape• Leave notebook, recorder in inconspicuous place

– Ask general questions, transition to notes, recording

Conducting the Interview

• Have list of questions handy– If possible, memorize– Don’t leave questions on cover or page one of

notebook– I put basics (spelling, age) somewhere near beginning

• Keep interview on track, focused on goal– Ask follow-up questions for clarity– Don’t convey bias either way

• Listen, then listen some more• Observe

– Mannerisms, lilt of voice, environment

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 1

Acknowledge what you don’t understand and seek clarification.

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 2

It often helps to repeat back key points to make sure you and source are on same page.

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 3

It’s OK to ask for time to write down a quote or information accurately.

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 4

Don’t go overboard demonstrating knowledge of a subject.

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 5

Embrace silence.

Conducting the Interview

Tip No. 6

Get agreement that you can call for clarification or follow-up questions (agree to means for doing so).

Conducting the Interview

• Next Steps:– Conduct more research– Interview more people– Go back with more questions– Go back to seek clarification

• Strong reporting plan helps avoid this

Difficult Interviews

• The Hostile Source– Make sure source knows story will run– Frame as fulfilling your obligation to be fair– Don’t convey bias either way– Keep asking questions. You never know…– Sometimes can give them time and try again– Often source knows you, your reputation– Sometimes can turn insult to your benefit– It occasionally helps to fire back.

Difficult Interviews

• The Reluctant Source– Keep asking questions. You never know …– Make them feel comfortable– If they won’t call back:

• Often helps to leave letter at door or e-mail• Send word through your adviser.

Anderson Cooper

Difficult Interviews

• Belated “Off the Record”– You have no obligation to grant, but keep in

mind:• sometimes people have significant reasons:

– Could lose job– Embarrassment

– Depends on:• Importance of story• Importance of source in future

E-mail Interviews

• Agree to it only as last resort– Kills spontaneity– No eye contact– No body language

• Be very careful– Must be absolutely certain of source– Meaning can be misconstrued.

Notes and Quotes• Take extra pencils, pens

• Your tape recorder will ALWAYS fail you

• Big writing surface sometimes helps– Especially covering speeches.

• Ask for time to get quote right– It’s legal to have source repeat to fill blanks.

• If can’t get time …– Concentrate on the quote you have.– Consider ditching the quote, – Get significant pieces

• Use all of your senses.– The entrance to the fair smelled like cotton candy.

• Strong verbs and nouns, not adjectives– Simile and metaphor can work.

• Look for people in action, dialog.

• Provide facts not opinions.

• Take a picture. It lasts longer.

Observe