Anecdotes
Interesting short stories that help bring an experience to life.
Attribution
A statement assigning the source of information in a story
Backgrounding
The process of reading and doing research in preparation for asking questions and interviewing sources for a story
Cliche
Overused, title expression that weakens the overall content of a story; also refers to overused photgraphic content or composition.
Deadline
Time at which a copy must be presented in order to be printed
Direct Quote
Information from sources used in quotation marks because it contains their exact words
Follow-up Question
A question in response to a source's statement to evoke more specifics or a clearer explanation.
Freedom of Information Laws (FOI Laws)
Federal and state laws that allow all citizens access to a vast array of information.
Indirect Quote
A paraphrase of information from a source. While it does not require quotation marks, it still needs attribution.
Interviewing
Asking people questions to gather information
Morgue
News reference library that holds past articles, photos, and other documents
Paraphrasing
Restating ideas from other sources in your own words. Requires attribution.
Transcribing
To write down word for word what a person said in a taped conversation, interview, or speech.
5 W's and H
The who, what, where, when, why, and how information that forms the basis of all stories.