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Note-taking session 8:30-10:30 a.m. June 12
Session with Marianne Odom and Chet Hunt in Room 209 of Loftin Student Center to help students get the most from their interviews for You S.A.
Why take notes?
importance for reporters Click for Online resources for reporting
importance for workshoppers
for stories Click for Checklist for Reporters
for career help
to get the most out of the workshop
may be asked for contribution to Journalism Boot Camp daily
When to take notes:
class sessions
in-person interviews
telephone interviews Click for How to Interview on the Telephone
observations Click for Nonverbal Communication
speakers Click for Writing speech stories
meetings with professionals
discussing stories with editors, coaches, team leaders
How to use reporter's notebook:
demonstration
Notebook vs. tape recorder:
pros, cons and tips for tape recorders
What to write down:
date of interview Click for Tips on Interviewing
correct spelling of source's name, how source wants it, title
full address and phone for source list
paraphrase of answers to questions
observations
What to look for:
Your five senses can provide the details that help a make an otherwise dry story come to life for a reader. Even if you are "just" doing an interview, make note of the setting: What do you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? Drop those details into your story to help bring your reader into the place and the moment from where you are reporting.
Be careful, however, not to load your story with gratuitous detail that demeans or insults your subject. We don't need to know what color your interviewee's hair is, unless it is relevant to the story.
direct quotes
You should use direct quotes:
if a source's language is particularly colorful or picturesque
when it is important for written information -- especially official information -- to come from an obviously authoritative voice
to answer the questions ``why, how, who, or what?''
Use a direct quote after a summary statement that needs amplification, verification or example.
Remember, a direct quote repeats exactly what the interviewee said. If you don't have a person's exact words, you can paraphrase, but you cannot change the meaning of a person's words. And when you paraphrase, you must never use quotation marks.
statistics
facts
background
more than you think you will need
Tips:
develop own shorthand Click for notetaking tips
go over notes ASAP to fill in gaps
type into computer system in their folder promptly
note any holes or information to check with others
listen to interviewee to develop followup questions Click for Listening Tips
develop general questions on specific areas but don't be slave to
list of questions
remember reporter's obligation to ask questions confidently
Examining a UJW story:
Talk about kinds of information and where it came from
Count number of sources
Quotes -- good ones? How introduced?
Description of person, place or scene
Statistics and why used
Length
Other basics of writing a story:
summary statement, then quote answering why, how or so what
one sentence to a graf and why
write simply, clearly, visually
specific information -- pertinent details
all information sourced
adequate attribution
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