Writing 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?
Ask each expert three questions.
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.
What is a good sound byte? a piece of audio that can stand by itself.
Have person restate the question in the interview.

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

6. Write _transitions_ 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 : all of the video/pictures used in the story.
A-Roll : the audio of 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?