1. Developing Specific Story Ideas
What Should We Really Cover?

4. How Do I Find A Story? News Sources Reporters (YOU!)
Biggest Source of News
Everyday Contact w/People in your area
Observations = Ideas
Investigative – Find Something Wrong and Expose It

5. How Do I Find A Story Cont…?
Contacts
Those In Your Area That Regularly Comment On News
Who is that for us at LM?
Principals
Superintendants
Lead Teachers
Coaches/Club Sponsors
Security

6. How To Probe Contacts For a Story
Avoid Being Vague. Don’t Ask…
“What’s Going On”
“Do you have any story ideas for the news?”
Be Engaging and Specific. Ask…
“What’s Your Next Project?”
“What are You Working On Right Now?”
“What’s Your Organization’s Largest Concern?”

7. How Do I Find A Story Cont…
Other Local Publications
Local Newspapers – College, Professional, HS
Local News Programs
New Angle
Related Story Ideas
e.g. NCAA sanctions story  Athletes Cope Higher Eligibility Standards

8. How Do I Find A Story Cont…
File Drawer
31 File Folders – Marked and Dated
Map Up-Coming Local Events
Calendar of Stories

9. Story Topic vs. Story Idea
Start with Topics (Broad)
Lead to Story Ideas (Specific)
E.g. – “Dress Code Story”
vs.
“A story about the administration's new proposal to require students to dress up on Mondays and how the students are rebelling.”

10. Activity
Use the internet to search local publications. Use them to inspire stories that could be based on your understanding of proximity and relevance.
Use the worksheet I’ve given you to test the quality of each story. Find out if they are quality stories that we can use.