“Let’s Get Started”

________________________________________________________________________

by John Shrader

How are we going to get this started?

The Reporting and Writing Process: 

The 4 C’s

              - Conceive

                            This is where you develop the story, from the idea and the main point of what happened in the event. You may find out that the story isn’t quite what you expected when you embarked on the mission. You should be flexible, let the story take you on the journey, DO NOT pre-conceive, or prejudice, the story.

              - Collect

                            The reporting stage: interviews, information gathering. DO NOT rely on one source, no matter how complete you think the source makes the story. You either neither another voice, another perspective OR confirmation of what the first source has told you. Ask plenty of questions. There really are NO bad questions. It is most important that you leave nothing unanswered, that you understand the story as completely as possible. Jot down your observations and gather as many details as possible.

              - Construct

                            This is the writing stage. You have determined the focus of the story, now you must develop it. Go through your notes, mark the information related to the focus. Jot down the key words you’ll use to organize and maintain the focus.  Write a first draft of your story.

              - Correct

                            This is the revision stage. Read your written piece. Make any changes you think are necessary. You may need to add or delete, or reorganize the story. Check for spelling, grammar, accuracy of facts, style, typing errors. The EDITING process begins with the reporter/writer.

 ASK YOURSELF A FEW QUESTIONS:

So, what is the story

Why are we doing this story?

Who shall we talk to?

Who is most affected by the story? Who is least affected by the story?

At what location is the story to be found, and is it germane?

Where and how do I get background information?

How many angles of this story can I get (in the time I have been given)?

Are there photo opportunities?

I should run my ideas by the editor, and discuss interview possibilities and potential questions.

PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW AND DOING RESEARCH                

*Strive to be honest, fair and balanced

* Prepare with an open mind

* Find the proper sources

              * Some have an agenda, and some do not

              * Some sources will lead to even better sources

              * Official Sources:

                            - Press Secretaries, PR people, officials speaking for the record

              * Unofficial Sources:

- Are not professional in dealing with the media (it is not their job function)

              * Web Sites are good places to start; you should contact the people involved.

              Do no take their word for it.

DOING THE INTERVIEW

When you are prepared for the interview, set it up and do everything you can to get it done in person; over the phone is certainly acceptable and is done all the time. E-mail should be the last resort, although this is done often, it doesn’t have the personal touch of a face-to-face or telephone interview. Here are some tips on how to conduct the interview:

* Don’t be afraid or intimated (Well informed people ask good questions)

* Thank the subject for the interview and time

* IF you are recording the interview – in person or on the phone – the interviewee should be notified.  If you are recording a phone conversation you must make notification legally. If you are recording in in-person interview, it should be noted as a courtesy.

* Briefly mention the areas you’re covering, especially if you intend to cover a lot of ground. (Don’t betray your line of questioning, but give the subject an idea of how long it will take.)

* LISTEN!

              - This will help you understand the answers

              - You will get ideas for new and follow-up questions

              - You will know if the interviewee is trying to avoid any subjects, or trying to circumvent the intent of your question.

              - Is the interviewee looking into your eyes? Is she being forthcoming? Is he giving any non-verbal cues?

* Stay Focused – pay attention to what you and the interviewee are saying, and follow your instincts

* Say thanks and be sure to get a phone number and/or email address in the event you will need some background information or you have other questions you may need answered.

 “Good Question / Bad Question”

Generally, there are good questions and there are bad questions. This is a basic list of the do’s and don’t of interviewing. The rules can and will be broken and you must use your judgment.

GOOD Q’S

              - Open-ended questions.

 They don’t set the parameters, or dimensions; for example: “When you were a kid, what did you imagine yourself doing in your mid-30’s?”

              - Neutral questions.

It can be good for controversial questions, or questions for which you’re not sure the answer. For example: “How did you become interested in teaching?” Or, “What were the reasons for firing 100 employees?”

              - Specific questions.

You’re not leading the interviewee; you’re not making any subjective comments. Get to the point, with fair and critical questions.

              - Wrap-up questions.

Give the interviewee a chance to add some information. “Is there anything I failed to mention?” “Do you have anything else you would like to say?” This helps tie up the loose ends and, especially if there have been a number of controversial or pointed questions, this helps close the interview on a good note. Be sure to remind the subject there be follow-up questions, or background information needed in the future.

BAD Q’S

              -Yes/no questions.

You must challenge the interview subject to get beyond yes and no, by asking questions that will get a broader, more expansive answer. NOTE: Yes/ no questions can be used when checking facts and/or getting background information.

              - Leading questions.

Don’t steer the interview in a particular direction. Frame the questions so they get honest answers, and so it doesn’t appear you have an agenda. There are times when you need to go in a certain direction, but don’t direct the questions in this manner. It will create some trust problems with the interviewee.

              -Double-barreled questions.

This confuses the issue, for example: “Did firing these 100 workers help you line your pockets and keep the stockholders off your back?” Ask them as separate questions, if you feel like they are fair and appropriate.

“AND NOW LET’S GET READY TO WRITE”

When the interviews have been completed and the information gathered, it is time to write the story.

              * Transcribe as soon as possible, while it is fresh in your mind.

              * Go through your notes to determine which of the quotes might be most appropriate, or most interesting.

              * You may need to check on some unconfirmed facts (with follow-up calls if necessary), or go to another source or sources.

              *STAY ORGANIZED! Keep your notes together, where you can find them and make best use of the quotes and the other information.

              *Double-check the information and the quotes. You should do your best to edit your own work before it is sent to be edited by others.

              *Use AP Stylebook as resource.

              *Tell a story and have fun.

 Sources for this Overview:

“Online Journalism” by Richard Craig, San Jose State University

(Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005)

“News Reporting and Writing”, by the Missouri Group

(Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2002)

“Journalism in the Digital Age”, by John Herbert

(Focal Press, 2000)

“Broadcasting in America”, by Sydney Head, et al (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)