This document provides journalism basics and guidelines for student reporters. It outlines key principles like respecting the 1st Amendment, knowing your audience, and following the inverted pyramid structure. Reporters are told to thoroughly research their topics, verify all facts, and make sure their stories have a point and answer the 5 Ws and 1 H. They are given tips for finding story ideas, such as developing beats and asking others. A long list of potential story topics is also provided to get reporters started.

1. Journalism Basics Fall 2008
All Reporters should know:
• The 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of journalists
to report the news. Respect and defend this right by being fair, complete,
honest and accurate.
• Know your audience. For whom are you writing?
• The 5 Ws and 1 H
o Who? What? Where? When? Why? & How?
o Make sure you have answered these questions. Some of these,
depending on the story, will be more important than others, but
answers to all these questions should be in your story.
• The Inverted Pyramid Style of Writing
o The most important info comes 1st
o Or, as they say in pinochle, lay down your trump cards 1st.
• Make sure your story passes the “Who cares?” test.
o If you’re the only person interested, then can the story. You’re writing
for “the others”.
• Research!!!
o Find out all you can about your subject.
o This will lead to good interview questions.
o Avoid questions that can be answered “yes” or “no”.
• What’s your point?
o Every story must have one. In a nut shell, decide what
the main point of your story is to be.
• Outline what you want to say.

2. Journalism Basics Fall 2008
• Write your rough draft.
o Read it aloud. Does it make sense?
• Fine-tune your story.
o Cut words as needed.
o Add details if you have not answered all 5 Ws and H.
• Verify. Verify. Verify.
o We do not want to print retractions.
o We do not want to apologize for misquoting somebody.
o We do not want to be sloppy or unprofessional.
• Add a headline.
o Use a verb to show action.
o For example: “Alex ollie airwalks during lunch”
• Edit & Proofread and edit & proofread.
o Accuracy. Legible. Makes sense. Proper spelling. Proper grammar.
o AP (Associated Press) Stylebook
• Ten Ways to find stories:
1. Use a beat system. Each student should be assigned a
teacher/staff member/club/activity that they visit on a regular
basis.
2. Walk the hallways. Just what is going on at WHS?
3. Use a tip sheet. This is a sheet that non-journalism students
can pick up and write down their story ideas.
4. Watch the local news. What is going on in Wickenburg, Aguila,
Wittmann, Morristown that should/could concern WHS?

3. Journalism Basics Fall 2008
5. Create a story bank. Brainstorm among other staff members for
10 minutes and write down any and all story ideas you can think
of.
6. Think sports/clubs/activities. What do kids want to know about?
7. Think issues (not just events). The reporter looks at an event
or happening and asks “What does this mean to WHS readers?”
8. Ask! Ask! Ask! Go up to five (5) people and ask them for
ideas. (We are not in this alone.)
9. Do not overlook the obvious. Sometimes a story is right at your
doorstep, but it is so obvious that everyone misses it.
• Story Ideas: just to get you started
o Making excuses
o Staying home alone
o Backpack stories/stuff
o Weekend activities
o Exceptionally talented students
o Bus riding/getting to school
o Chewing gum
o Glasses, contacts, braces
o Flooding/weather
o Babysitting
o Embarrassing moments
o Dyeing hair
o Body piercing

4. Journalism Basics Fall 2008
o Cultural identity
o Anger management
o Depression
o Sleep
o Self-esteem
o Peer pressure
o I-pods for classroom use
o Parent-child relationships
o Divorce
o New teachers
o Twins
o School spirit
o Cafeteria
o Pep rallies
o Allowances
o Horoscopes
o Being an only child
o Losing a loved one
o Teen pregnancy
o Being left-handed
o Superstitions
o Being left-handed
o Hobbies/collections
o Great places to visit

5. Journalism Basics Fall 2008
o Being very tall or very short
o Doing risky things
o Moving
o Watching TV (too much)
o Games students play
o Teen obesity
o Trends (what’s in—what’s out)
o Brothers/sisters in same school
o Gossip
o Cheating
o Birthdays/holidays
o Staying at home when you’re sick
o Jobs
o Love (is it real?)
o Being a nerd