Researching Steps
1. What will your reader want to know about this topic, person or information? Also, what do you need to know in order to sound knowledgeable about this topic, person or information? (These questions are pretty much the same, but separately important.) Make a list of topics/questions in a Google document and place links to articles within the list when you find information that pertains to that topic or question.
2. Search for background information on the topic or person. Do not rely on Wikipedia. You can use the resources at the bottom of the Wiki article to continue research. (BE the expert on your story. Let yourself get buried in the information about your topic.) 3. Use research databases to find scholarly articles on the topic, person or information. 4. Observe! Find something to witness regarding your story. Ex: Story idea--a profile on Electronic Magazine at LASA High School. Observation: Go visit a class. 5. Make a list of the important voices your story will need to represent and focus research (pre-interview) on how the topic, person or information affects those voices. 6. Once you've begun collecting information, you might have an idea for a story angle, which might cause a need for more research! Interviewing |
RESOURCES
Pitch Your Story
>> Story Pitch Form >> Sample Story Pitch Researching: >> Researching with Wikipedia, From Wikipedia >> Ebsco Host >> LexisNexis Interviewing: >> Sample Interview Request >> Interview Magazine >> Sample of Feature Notes and Research for Turn-in Transcripts & Story Planning |
Read the following articles."13 Simple Journalist Techniques for Effective Interviews," by Sarah Stuteville.
"8 Ways to Generate Good Interview Questions" and "Should I let the Magazine Interviewee See the Questions First?" by Allena Tapia.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it important to find a good location to conduct an interview?
2. What is the benefit of having your questions prepared ahead of time? What does having a "goal for your interview" mean?
3. What is a great question to ask your interviewee if you don't fully understand their response?
4. Why endure awkward silences?
5. Why should you ask open-ended questions?
6. Should you let your interviewee see the question first?
Effective Question Starters:
Tell me about...
What do you think about...
How did you feel when...
What is your experience with...
Here's a fact. Why is this so important...
Describe how, when, why...
Why is it so important that...
What led to you making the decision to...
What can other people take away from...
Describe the events leading up to...
When did you realize that...
What was/is your biggest challenge/success...
How much, how long, how often, how many...
What would you do if...
"8 Ways to Generate Good Interview Questions" and "Should I let the Magazine Interviewee See the Questions First?" by Allena Tapia.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it important to find a good location to conduct an interview?
2. What is the benefit of having your questions prepared ahead of time? What does having a "goal for your interview" mean?
3. What is a great question to ask your interviewee if you don't fully understand their response?
4. Why endure awkward silences?
5. Why should you ask open-ended questions?
6. Should you let your interviewee see the question first?
Effective Question Starters:
Tell me about...
What do you think about...
How did you feel when...
What is your experience with...
Here's a fact. Why is this so important...
Describe how, when, why...
Why is it so important that...
What led to you making the decision to...
What can other people take away from...
Describe the events leading up to...
When did you realize that...
What was/is your biggest challenge/success...
How much, how long, how often, how many...
What would you do if...