1. Find a topicWhat is your story about?
Who is your audience?
Why is this story important to your audience?

2. Find an angleMore specifically, what is important about your topic?
What should the reader learn?

3. Collect InformationWho are three experts for this story?
Do you need opposing points of view?
What interview questions should I ask?
What other research must be done to complete the story?

4. Gather interviews
Ask open-ended questions.
Get good sound bytes.(a piece of audio that can stand on its own)Have person restate the question in the interview.

5. Organize your sound bytesWhich quotes should be used?
How can I organize the quotes to tell a story?

6. Write transitions in your story
Use words to tie the interviews together.
What other information can I add to the story?
Can the story stand on its own?

7. Write in's and out's
 What should the anchors say to introduce my story or bring it to a close? No Scoop, Went to find out,
How should the story begin and end?
What should I say in my stand-up? No 1st Person: I went…
Use attention getter at the introduction but avoid rhetorical questions.
8. Collect B roll(vidio footage) to add to your story A roll  (all the audio)How can video enhance my story?
Make a list of items you would like photographed.
How should I edit the audio and video together to enhance my story?
Should other enhancements like music, graphics, effects be used?