DEVELOPING STORY IDEAS & SOURCES
Prof. Subhash Dhuliya
How do you determine whether a current idea, event or problem is news? How do you recognize it, separating swiftly the news and the non-news in what happens? How can you be sure that it will interest readers, listener’s viewers? To answer these questions, examine the elements common in all news. These also may be termed news values, appeals, factors, determinants, or criteria. If even one is missing the reporter may question whether the happening is news.
By cultivating an alert mind and training your powers of observation, you will acquire the skill of spotting suitable material. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, think about every person, every experience and every event in terms of a potential story. Talk to people. Be interested in new subjects. There are feature ideas everywhere. It’s just a case of realizing them. When you find them, write them down.
People relate to a wide range of subjects. Many are common to everyone, including relationships and emotional issues, work, money, family, health, education, self-improvement, local and community issues, children, transport…..The list is endless. The only limits are your imagination and your ability to make an idea relevant. Your own eyes and ears are best course of news ideas.
(Based on inputs from an article by Peter Henshall and David Ingram in News Manual)
(SEE POWER POINT PRESENTATION ATTACHED)
