Things You'll Need:
- AP Stylebook (optional)
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Step 1
Research your subject/story completely. Cover all bases and gather as much information as possible. You may not use all the information you acquire or all quotes from all interviews. But it is better to have too much to sift through than to not have enough.
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Step 2
Spend time crafting your approach to the article. Determine your angle from the start. This aspect of crafting the article helps to narrow the focus and organize the information you have gathered.
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Step 3
Write several leads for the article. Do not rely on writing a lead perfectly the first time. Take the time to try different approaches and find the one that works the best. Once you have found the best lead, the rest of the article will flow more smoothly.
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Step 4
Check and double-check all sources. Do not take information you have been given and run with it blindly. If you are unsure about some part of the information you have received, double-check the information with yet another source. Make sure you have all contact information for your sources, including a contact number and e-mail address. This information can come in handy later on if you need additional information or clarification.
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Step 5
Incorporate all quotations and information from other sources appropriately. Attribute where the information originated. If needed, include web addresses for the your reader so that she or he can go directly to the source and do their own research. This approach works well with issue stories such as public aid, financial assistance, community programs, etc ...
