Story Visioning
Ground Rules
The process begins by having a conversation with your reporter.
- This conversation takes place after the initial story idea has been pitched/accepted. The Core Values Planning Grid and the Story Visioning Worksheet offer two different templates that can be used to develop pitches.
- The conversation is one-on-one between the news director/editor and the reporter. It does not take place during larger editorial meetings.
- To help reporters develop critical thinking and research skills, the news director leads with questions
- "What kind of expert will you interview for this story? How will you find this person?" What prep is needed to for the interview?)
- rather than directives
- "You should interview this expert I know named John Jones. He's really good.)
- The most important ground rule is "it's not personal." Sometimes comments and questions about a story idea can feel like an attack on someone's intellect and ability. They aren't. The news director/editor needs to reinforce the fact that critical thinking is essential to good journalism. And reporters need to understand that edits are an essential part of what we do.
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