Journalism 132: Basic Questions  

JOUR132: BASIC QUESTIONS

1. Who are the people involved in the story? 
   • Victims, rescuers, speakers, opposing sides
   • Identify the people.
2. What is the story about? 
   • A car crash, a picket line, a contentious public hearing
   • Describe the event.
3. Where did the story occur?
   • A sun-dappled park, a crowded intersection, a mobile home community, outside a small factory
   • Establish the place.
4. When did the story occur?
   • The last day of school, 5 a.m., the dead of night, at the height of rush hour
   • Give the time.
5. How did the story happen?
   • A driver lost control on a curve, children were playing with matches, management and labor were unable to agree about wages and the workers went out on strike
   • Explain the circumstances.
6. Why did the story happen?
   • Speeding, carelessness, to raise funds, to celebrate a holiday
   • Explore the cause.
7. So what?  
   • An accident holds up traffic, a festival brings a community closer together, a strike affects customers
   • Assess the impact.
8. What next?  
   • Criminal charges, hospital treatment, funerals, a new traffic light, higher prices
   • Look ahead.