Reporters’ Self Evaluation Checklist for a good story

 

Before you write: ORGANIZE. Make sure your story is aimed at readers, not politicians or journalists:

 

a)      Why is this story important to ALL readers?

 

b)      What is today’s news in this story?

 

c)      Have I been FAIR and interviewed multiple sources who represent ALL sides of the story? DO NOT WRITE A STORY WITH ONLY ONE SOURCE.

 

d)      Will my mother be able to read this story, understand it and say that I have been fair to all sides? 

 

Organize your story in the following order and make it clear by asking yourself these questions:

 

1)      The Lead:

 

a)      Does my lead tell the reader today’s news concisely?

 

b)      Does my lead have the basic facts: Who/What/Where/When /Why?

 

c)      Did I avoid using a quote, which would suggest I do not understand my own story?

 

2)      The Thesis:

 

a)      Does my story have a thesis statement: what this story is about and how it illuminates a larger issue?

 

b)      Is my thesis statement short (a couple of sentences, no more) and clear, and does it forecast the examples coming in the main part of the story?

 

3)      The Reference paragraph (story’s background)

 

a)      If this a follow-up story, do I have a reference graph with basic info so that first time readers can understand my story?

 

4)      The Body (Elaboration)

 

a)      Are the lead and the thesis supported with factual examples from my sources?

 

b)      Are all the facts attributed to a source (person, document, news article)?

 

c)      Do my paragraphs have logical organization: by time, by issue, by source, etc.?

 

d)      Can I summarize every paragraph in one sentence or phrase?

 

e)      Do I use long quotes that would be better paraphrased?

 

f)        Are ALL readers -- not just journalists, politicians, insiders --  familiar with all terms ( personal and institution names, abbreviations, etc.) used in the story?

 

g)      Has the story answered all the questions it raised?

 

5)      The Ending

 

a)      Does my story just run out at the end, or do I have a good quote or fact that “slams the door?”

 

6)      READ THE STORY AGAIN:

 

a)      Have I used everyday language that all readers can understand instead of pseudo language or technical terms?

 

b)      Have I checked for repetitive words and phrases.

 

c)      Have I broken up all the extra long sentences into shorter ones that are easily understood?

 

d)      Have I edited out needless detail that interests me but will bore my mother?