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Sources of Sources Advanced Newswriting JMC 2601 Fall, 2012

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Page 1: Sources (2)

Sources of Sources

Sources of Sources

Advanced NewswritingJMC 2601 Fall, 2012

Advanced NewswritingJMC 2601 Fall, 2012

Page 2: Sources (2)

Why use Sources?Why use Sources?

Contribute info gathered over a long period

Add a new (human) level of information Lead the reader into each aspect of the

topic (and help structure the story) Add expert insights To confirm controversial statements Provide contrasting perspectives Satisfy reader’s…

Expectations of a range of information and Need for info to base their conclusions on

Contribute info gathered over a long period

Add a new (human) level of information Lead the reader into each aspect of the

topic (and help structure the story) Add expert insights To confirm controversial statements Provide contrasting perspectives Satisfy reader’s…

Expectations of a range of information and Need for info to base their conclusions on

Page 3: Sources (2)

The Importance of Sources

The Importance of Sources

Primary origin of credibility Reporters fill in gaps, select and organize

information, “connect the dots”, etc. Instant expertise is crucial but weaker

Reports mix information and analysis The best of both often come from sources

Help readers reach their own conclusions Gives the reporter “cover” defensibility

Primary origin of credibility Reporters fill in gaps, select and organize

information, “connect the dots”, etc. Instant expertise is crucial but weaker

Reports mix information and analysis The best of both often come from sources

Help readers reach their own conclusions Gives the reporter “cover” defensibility

Page 4: Sources (2)

Why Care about Sources?Why Care about Sources?

Credibility with readers Industry respect Self-satisfaction Curiosity Social benefit Professional

“investment”

Credibility with readers Industry respect Self-satisfaction Curiosity Social benefit Professional

“investment”

Page 5: Sources (2)

Relating to SourcesRelating to Sources

Cynicism: only believe/defend under pressure Source information is guilty until proven…

Think of them as your ally or antagonist Consider the implications of using any

source Who might complain, disagree, contradict

Imagine being challenged on every source

Careers can be won and lost through sources

Cynicism: only believe/defend under pressure Source information is guilty until proven…

Think of them as your ally or antagonist Consider the implications of using any

source Who might complain, disagree, contradict

Imagine being challenged on every source

Careers can be won and lost through sources

Page 6: Sources (2)

Thinking about StoriesThinking about Stories

Topic (abstract, shallow fact) Angle (includes perspective and point) Levels

Themes (main elements within the story) Sub-themes (varied aspects of elements) Support for subthemes (information)

Conclusions make sense of three levels

Topic (abstract, shallow fact) Angle (includes perspective and point) Levels

Themes (main elements within the story) Sub-themes (varied aspects of elements) Support for subthemes (information)

Conclusions make sense of three levels

Page 7: Sources (2)

Opinion and AnalysisOpinion and Analysis

Opinions are quick, shallow, and weak Reflects personal views and biases Good for savor, personal connection, etc.

We are all experts for ourselves and our mothers

Analyses are studied, substantive, and strong Reflects some kind of expertise Allows real insight into the topic

In reporting, analysis must rule opinion Reporters can become sources of analysis

Opinions are quick, shallow, and weak Reflects personal views and biases Good for savor, personal connection, etc.

We are all experts for ourselves and our mothers

Analyses are studied, substantive, and strong Reflects some kind of expertise Allows real insight into the topic

In reporting, analysis must rule opinion Reporters can become sources of analysis

Page 8: Sources (2)

Kinds of SourcesKinds of Sources

Human Personal experience or

perspective

Reporter Journalistic observation

Raw information Initial data

Interpreted information (direct/indirect) Expert analysis and conclusions

Human Personal experience or

perspective

Reporter Journalistic observation

Raw information Initial data

Interpreted information (direct/indirect) Expert analysis and conclusions

Page 9: Sources (2)

HumanityHumanity

Add a human dimension Identifying sources:

Past reports/files Recommendation from contact Referral from a previous source Observation “Digging” at the edges of the

scene (hunches, etc.) Working along the chain

if talk to President, seek out the messenger

Credibility is essential

Add a human dimension Identifying sources:

Past reports/files Recommendation from contact Referral from a previous source Observation “Digging” at the edges of the

scene (hunches, etc.) Working along the chain

if talk to President, seek out the messenger

Credibility is essential

Page 10: Sources (2)

Group RepresentativesGroup Representatives

Some sources represent categories Assumption is that their views

are general Ex: minorities, women, workers,

students... Useful for elaboration

An extension of personal experience

Problems: How representative?

Stereotypes? How to attribute?

Some sources represent categories Assumption is that their views

are general Ex: minorities, women, workers,

students... Useful for elaboration

An extension of personal experience

Problems: How representative?

Stereotypes? How to attribute?

Page 11: Sources (2)

Anonymous SourcesAnonymous Sources

Increasingly, sources don’t want to go on the record… and news organs are unwilling to

use anonymous The tradeoff is info vs. credibility

Public mistrust of journalists hurts The information should be critical Identify them as fully as possible

Legal, ethical and professional issue

Increasingly, sources don’t want to go on the record… and news organs are unwilling to

use anonymous The tradeoff is info vs. credibility

Public mistrust of journalists hurts The information should be critical Identify them as fully as possible

Legal, ethical and professional issue

Page 12: Sources (2)

Kinds of AttributionKinds of Attribution

On the record: full and open quotes

Unattributed: quoted but not cited “not for attribution”

Off the record: general, uncited; AKA Background or “experts say”, etc.

Deep background: only context for sensitive topics

On the record: full and open quotes

Unattributed: quoted but not cited “not for attribution”

Off the record: general, uncited; AKA Background or “experts say”, etc.

Deep background: only context for sensitive topics

Page 13: Sources (2)

Documentary SourcesDocumentary Sources

General RoT: a document is as

good as its source Major secondary skills are

identifying, Accessing, Representing/quoting

sources

General RoT: a document is as

good as its source Major secondary skills are

identifying, Accessing, Representing/quoting

sources

Page 14: Sources (2)

Documentary SourcesDocumentary Sources

Direct access: Published Unpublished

Online Data Graphics/

photographic Public records Databases Organizations

Direct access: Published Unpublished

Online Data Graphics/

photographic Public records Databases Organizations

Page 15: Sources (2)

OnlineOnline

Easy to get, easy to dismiss Attitudes are changing with

familiarity

Best to confirm with secondary check Especially with controversial

topic

Consider mainstream Web as a huge set of leads more than useful sources

Easy to get, easy to dismiss Attitudes are changing with

familiarity

Best to confirm with secondary check Especially with controversial

topic

Consider mainstream Web as a huge set of leads more than useful sources

Page 16: Sources (2)

DataData

Sets of raw information from experts Researchers, historians,

etc. Usually needs help to

interpret Getting that creates a

second chore Local historians,

amateurs, etc.

Sets of raw information from experts Researchers, historians,

etc. Usually needs help to

interpret Getting that creates a

second chore Local historians,

amateurs, etc.

Page 17: Sources (2)

Public RecordsPublic Records

Lots are online Credible/defensible Freedom of Information

Act Institutional Archivists Reference

Librarians/stacks

Lots are online Credible/defensible Freedom of Information

Act Institutional Archivists Reference

Librarians/stacks

Page 18: Sources (2)

Graphics/PhotographicsGraphics/Photographics

Non-verbal data are a kind of source If it directly relates to your point

Works with increasingly visual culture

Lots of archives (most charge, like Bettman Archives)

Many locals have good visuals Always ask

Non-verbal data are a kind of source If it directly relates to your point

Works with increasingly visual culture

Lots of archives (most charge, like Bettman Archives)

Many locals have good visuals Always ask

Page 19: Sources (2)

OrganizationsOrganizations

Associations, etc. “Encyclopedia of

Associations” “Ask” other sources who to

contact Information is available but

purposive Seek opposing

organizations

Associations, etc. “Encyclopedia of

Associations” “Ask” other sources who to

contact Information is available but

purposive Seek opposing

organizations

Page 20: Sources (2)

DatabasesDatabases

Commercial (including CD-ROMs) “Public Information Utilities” (web

engines) Academic Professional Governmental Personal Special-Interest

Commercial (including CD-ROMs) “Public Information Utilities” (web

engines) Academic Professional Governmental Personal Special-Interest

Page 21: Sources (2)

Document Pre-SourcesDocument Pre-Sources

Advertisements Local News Briefs Neighbors Blogs, chatrooms, etc.

Advertisements Local News Briefs Neighbors Blogs, chatrooms, etc.

Page 22: Sources (2)

Mental GamesMental Games

How to identify sources Logic/intuition/curiosity “What if”? “On the other hand” “Who cares? Who knows?” Something that isn’t

said/written Connecting the dots and

finding patterns beyond them

How to identify sources Logic/intuition/curiosity “What if”? “On the other hand” “Who cares? Who knows?” Something that isn’t

said/written Connecting the dots and

finding patterns beyond them

Page 23: Sources (2)

Guidelines for Using Sources

Guidelines for Using Sources

Wonder what reader wants to know, who they would ask

List themes within story Ask “who would know/care

about this?” Assess experience, knowledge,

etc. Consider in mini-context

How fits other info on the theme Decide themes early to ID

sources early

Wonder what reader wants to know, who they would ask

List themes within story Ask “who would know/care

about this?” Assess experience, knowledge,

etc. Consider in mini-context

How fits other info on the theme Decide themes early to ID

sources early

Page 24: Sources (2)

Relating to a sourceRelating to a source

Always ask a source… Who else should I talk to? What is a opposing viewpoint? Do you know of any documents on this topic? What is a good source of context/background?

People rarely volunteer other sources Suspect those who do

We always pay a price for convenience

Look hard for new sources in printed ones References, mentions, ideas to follow up

Always ask a source… Who else should I talk to? What is a opposing viewpoint? Do you know of any documents on this topic? What is a good source of context/background?

People rarely volunteer other sources Suspect those who do

We always pay a price for convenience

Look hard for new sources in printed ones References, mentions, ideas to follow up