Journalism 132: Accident Story Questions  

JOUR132: ACCIDENT STORY QUESTIONS

1. Who are the people involved in the story? 
   • Drivers, passengers, victims, those injured or killed
   • Identify the people.
2. What is the story about? 
   • Accident type -- motor vehicle, airplane, boat, household
   • Describe the event.
3. Where did the story occur?
   • On freeway, road, on sidewalk, in park, inside public/private building, in house
   • Establish the place.
4. When did the story occur?
   • The middle of the night, at the height of rush hour, in broad daylight
   • Give the time.
5. How/why did the story happen?
   • One driver lost control, a person was drunk or on drugs, a child fell out of a window, building materials were defective 
   • Explain the cause and circumstances.
6. So what?  
   • A family loses a child, the community mourns a victim, a building is closed for repairs/retrofitting, traffic is delayed 
   • Assess the impact.
7. What next?  
   • Lawsuits, arrests, criminal charges, hospital treatment, funerals, follow-up
   • Look ahead.