The question “Did you like the new schedule?” seems like a good start for an interview. But then your source says, “Yes.” The interview is over and your notebook has very little to work with for the article. This can often happen with initial interviews. The question is okay, but it allows your source to […]
It’s common to find that your notes are completely full after you’ve conducted an interview or observation, but being full of information and full of usable information are not quite the same thing. A page of notes can contain quotes, dates, impressions, thoughts and phrases, source information, and items to follow up on, but when […]
The role of the opening paragraph in a news-style report is straightforward: It’s not meant to ease into a topic, offer a lengthy overview, or show off your vocabulary. Its job is to tell the reader what occurred, what’s shifting, or what the article’s focus is. In the language of reporting, that opening section is […]
Starting with a large, vague concept often brings an initial rush of excitement: there is so much to say! A big subject like local transport, student life, online learning, or city events can feel like a fun place to start your writing process. But then you actually begin writing, and the difficulty starts to show: […]
