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Sources of Sources
Sources of Sources
Advanced NewswritingJMC 2601 Fall, 2012
Advanced NewswritingJMC 2601 Fall, 2012
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
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
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”
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Document Pre-SourcesDocument Pre-Sources
Advertisements Local News Briefs Neighbors Blogs, chatrooms, etc.
Advertisements Local News Briefs Neighbors Blogs, chatrooms, etc.
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
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
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