Reporter's Tip Sheet

Summary Ledes

• Be as specific as possible
• Avoid backing in
• Be concise
• Use active voice
• 30 words or less

Writing stories

• Isolate the heart of the story
• Get the facts (who, what, when, where, why, how)
• Write using the inverted pyramid
• Use delayed ledes really only for feature stories
• Nut graf after lede
• Body of story- decide what additional info readers need to know to understand story
• When writing a second day story first lead must relfect what has happened since the initial report and the story must provide new details and also summarize original report for those who might have missed it
• Check your facts!!!
• When using a quote make sure it adds to a story

Covering Events

• Research before you attend the event
• Prepare questions
• Ask clarifying questions
• Listen and take notes
• Watch for sparks
• Check details
• Find the most important or interesting thing about the event to focus on

100 word assignment

A 3-year-old girl trapped in a Laundromat washer machine was saved yesterday by a local passer-by, Rockland police chief said.
Jennifer Childs, 3, and sister, Elizabeth, 7, were playing together in the Laundromat when Jennifer climbed into one of the washing machines and Elizabeth shut the door.
Paul Hecker of Rockland was grocery shopping at the Glen Rock Shopping Center when he heard screams coming from the Laundromat and saved Jennifer.
Jennifer Childs was admitted yesterday afternoon to Rockland Hospital and was listed in good condition, a hospital spokesperson said.
Parents, Nancy and Phillip Childs, could not be reached for comment.