How to report open-ended stories (The Orchid Thief)

TL;DR

Journalist shares insights on the reporting process, emphasizing the importance of learning and education in creating a well-rounded story.

Transcript

it struck me at that you know it's much easier or seemingly much easier to report a story as you're saying if you have kind of an idea of what the street you know it's about tube tops are awesome and then you go report that but then how do you approach reporting a story if you know in this case as you sort of start to realize that it's not maybe go... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Having a pre-established idea before reporting a story may hinder the journalist's ability to adapt and uncover the true essence of the story.
• 🧑‍🎓 Reporting involves two distinct components: learning as a student and teaching as a writer.
• 🦮 The journalist's daily activities during reporting are guided by the need to acquire knowledge about different aspects of the story.
• 💁 Extensive background research is vital to writing a well-informed and comprehensive piece.
• 🎓 The journalist values the process of education in reporting, emphasizing the importance of learning before sharing knowledge.
• 💁 The reporting process involves selecting the most relevant information to include in the final piece, which may result in certain details being left out.
• ❓ The journalist encounters moments of uncertainty during reporting but overcomes it by focusing on learning and exploring.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the journalist approach reporting a story when it turns out differently than expected?

The journalist sees reporting as a two-part process - first, he becomes a student, learning about all the relevant components of the story. When faced with uncertainty about what to do, he chooses to explore and educate himself further.

Q: What does the journalist consider as his role during the reporting stage?

During the reporting stage, the journalist sees himself as a student, where his main task is to gather knowledge and information about various aspects of the story. He focuses on learning about the location, history, and people involved.

Q: What does the journalist do during the synthesis phase of reporting?

During the synthesis phase, the journalist becomes a teacher, using the knowledge acquired during the reporting stage to convey the story to the readers. He carefully selects the most relevant information to include in the final piece.

Q: Why does the journalist do extensive background research during reporting, even if it may not all end up in the book?

The journalist believes that thorough background research is necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Even if not all the information is included in the final piece, it helps the journalist educate themselves and write from a position of real knowledge.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The journalist discusses the challenges of reporting a story when the outcome may not align with initial expectations.

• He explains that the reporting stage is about being a student, learning about various aspects related to the story.

• The second part of the process involves synthesizing the acquired knowledge and teaching the readers through writing.