I. Information Sources – where to get the facts

A.   Observational  -- When the reader can’t be there, you provide the eyes and ears.

• 1. Twelve cars piled up on a fog-filled highway. Take me there.
• 2. The jury foreman just read the murder verdict. How did the defendant react?
• 3. The elusive celebrity just invited you to have a drink. How does he sit? What does he drink? What is he really like?

B.    Personal – To get the best information, you have to ask. Interviewing is both science and art.

• 1. Know what you need to know: What does your editor want and what do you think would make a good story?
• 2. Get the background: You don’t ask the mayor to list her latest accomplishments or the athlete what awards he has won. Know before you go.
• a.     Respect for your subject’s time
• b.     Credibility as a writer
• 3. Brainstorm: Develop at least 20 open-ended questions
• 4. Organize: Put your questions in logical order.
• a.     Like-topics together
• b.     Easiest to hardest
• c.     Least to most controversial
• 5. Go prepared: Gather supplies and be on time
• 6. Listen: You’ll miss good stuff if you don’t
• a.     Interviewee will know if you’re tuned out
• b.     You might miss something exciting

7. Adapt: If your subject takes an interesting segue, go with it. But star a few key questions you have to answer no matter what.

8. Redirect: Get the interviewee back on track if needed.

• a.     Directly for professionals
• b.     Gently for those less experienced

9. Double-check the basics: Proper names, essential facts

C.    Stored – To find good, credible information, use a good, credible source.

• 1. Google isn’t everything: Realize anyone can put anything on the web, and sometimes it can look really good but be really false.
• 2. Library resources are already vetted: Use worthy sources compiled by professionals.
• 3. Take the quick tour: See a website developed specifically for student journalists.

 

II.    Attribution – what to do with the facts once you get them

A. Pay “tribute” to the source – Tell the reader where the information came from so he/she can evaluate it.

• 1. Attribute opinion -- always
• 2. Attribute facts – if they aren’t generally known or not easy to verify

B.    Decide how to attribute – Keep it interesting for the reader.

• 1. Use direct quotes
• a.     for strong opinion
• b.     for unusual or colorful wording
• c.     to let a speaker show his/her personality
• d.     as a contract with your reader – this is EXACTLY what was said
• e.     as “spice” for your story
• f.      If he says, “Give me liberty or give me death,” that’s a quote!
• 2. Paraphrase (indirect quotes)
• a.     to make wordy material easier to read
• b.     to cut unnecessary material
• c.     to simplify a topic
• d.     as the bulk of your story
• e.     If he says, “Well, freedom is better than some things… (continue for three minutes),” that’s a paraphrase.

C.    Attribute correctly

• 1. It’s ok to use “said” with a paraphrase – just not with quotation marks.
• 2. It’s essential to use “said” with a quote – and always with quotes.
• a.     quote, speaker, verb
• b.     a verb that fits the precise meaning