Writing a Story Notes

Writing a Story Notes

1. Find a _TOPIC_.
What is your story about?
Who is your audience?
Why is this story important to your audience?

2. Find an _ANGLE_.
More specifically, what is important about your topic?
What should the reader learn?

3. Collect __DATA/INFORMATION__.
Who are three experts for this story?
Do you need opposing points of view?
What interview questions should I ask?
What other research must be done to complete the story?

4. Gather __INTERVIEWS__.
Ask open-ended questions.
Get good sound bytes. (A sound byte is a piece of audio that can stand on its own.)
Have person restate the question in the interview.
Interview at least 3 people and ask at least 3 questions.

5. Organize your _SOUND_ _BYTES_.
Which quotes should be used?
How can I organize the quotes to tell a story?

6. Write ___TRANSITIONS/SEGUES__ in your story.
Use words to tie the interviews together.
What other information can I add to the story?
Can the story stand on its own?

7. Write _INS_ and _OUTS_.
What should the anchors say to introduce my story or bring it to a close? No Scoop, Went to find out,
How should the story begin and end?
What should I say in my stand-up? No 1st Person: I went…
Use attention getter at the introduction but avoid rhetorical questions.

8. Collect ___B-ROLL___ to add to your story. (B-ROLL is video footage. A-ROLL is the audio in the story. Also includes natural sound; audio from the real world used in the story.)
How can video enhance my story?
Make a list of items you would like photographed.
How should I edit the audio and video together to enhance my story?
Should other enhancements like music, graphics, effects be used?