Question 1

In putting together a story pitch an editor will want to know which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Whether you took an investigative reporting courses 
B)  Whether you know how to do computer-assisted reporting 
C)  Whether you have a story focus 
D)  Whether you filed any public records requests 
A)  Whether you took an investigative reporting courses 
B)  Whether you know how to do computer-assisted reporting 
C)  Whether you have a story focus 
D)  Whether you filed any public records requests C

Question 2

Why is a story pitch essential to the success of an investigative project?

Accepted Answer

Because without a good pitch, you won't get an editor to publish the story or give you the time or resources necessary to do it.

Question 3

According to Bob Greene, a good story is one that people readers feel compelled to read.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

How can you get an editor to let you do bigger stories in the future?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can you get an editor to...

Question 5

Why should you get a firm commitment from your editor for time off a regular beat?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should you get a firm commitment...

Question 6

Most reporters fail to plan out in advance investigative projects they would like to carry out.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

How can you prove that you can prove your premise?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can you prove that you can...

Question 8

What's one reason an editor might be reluctant to let you do an investigative story?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What's one reason an editor might be...

Question 9

What are visceral juices?

Accepted Answer

A)  The feeling that most reporters get before tough interviews. 
B)  Emotional feelings readers get when they read something that makes them care. 
C)  The revved-up feeling an investigative reporter gets when he has nailed a story. 
D)  The feeling an editor gets when she knows an investigative story is an award-winner. 
A)  The feeling that most reporters get before tough interviews. 
B)  Emotional feelings readers get when they read something that makes them care. 
C)  The revved-up feeling an investigative reporter gets when he has nailed a story. 
D)  The feeling an editor gets when she knows an investigative story is an award-winner.

Question 10

To build credibility, what kind of investigative story should you do at the beginning of your career?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To build credibility, what kind of investigative...

Question 11

What might be a news angle for a big investigation?

Accepted Answer

A)  A tip from a reliable source 
B)  A document you get from a public records request 
C)  An action expected at the state or national level that is relevant to the story 
D)  A problem you observe while you go about your day 
A)  A tip from a reliable source 
B)  A document you get from a public records request 
C)  An action expected at the state or national level that is relevant to the story 
D)  A problem you observe while you go about your day

Question 12

A storyboard can be used in place of a project memo.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

What's one way of convincing a reluctant editor to greenlight a project?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What's one way of convincing a reluctant...

Question 14

When is the best time to approach an editor with an investigative proposal?

Accepted Answer

A)  As soon as you've done your preliminary research 
B)  As soon as you've done most of your reporting 
C)  As soon as you've done your key interviews 
D)  As soon as you develop a focused premise 
A)  As soon as you've done your preliminary research 
B)  As soon as you've done most of your reporting 
C)  As soon as you've done your key interviews 
D)  As soon as you develop a focused premise

Question 15

A nerd box refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  The box where you input a program to scrape data of the Internet 
B)  One of the cells in the storyboard of your proposed investigation 
C)  The box of information that explains the methodology of an investigation 
D)  The box at the top of a story that credits all the reporters involved in it 
A)  The box where you input a program to scrape data of the Internet 
B)  One of the cells in the storyboard of your proposed investigation 
C)  The box of information that explains the methodology of an investigation 
D)  The box at the top of a story that credits all the reporters involved in it

Question 16

Why should you have a back-up plan ready when proposing an investigative project?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should you have a back-up plan...

Question 17

Most editors are supportive of investigative projects in concept.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Name two things you should include in a project memo.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name two things you should include in...

Question 19

How can a deadline help you get your editor to be more enthusiastic about your project?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can a deadline help you get...

Question 20

Most editors are reluctant to greenlight investigative projects.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

In putting together a story pitch an editor will want to know which of the following?

Why is a story pitch essential to the success of an investigative project?

According to Bob Greene, a good story is one that people readers feel compelled to read.

How can you get an editor to let you do bigger stories in the future?

Why should you get a firm commitment from your editor for time off a regular beat?

Most reporters fail to plan out in advance investigative projects they would like to carry out.

How can you prove that you can prove your premise?

What's one reason an editor might be reluctant to let you do an investigative story?

What are visceral juices?

To build credibility, what kind of investigative story should you do at the beginning of your career?

What might be a news angle for a big investigation?

A storyboard can be used in place of a project memo.

What's one way of convincing a reluctant editor to greenlight a project?

When is the best time to approach an editor with an investigative proposal?

A nerd box refers to which of the following?

Why should you have a back-up plan ready when proposing an investigative project?

Most editors are supportive of investigative projects in concept.

Name two things you should include in a project memo.

How can a deadline help you get your editor to be more enthusiastic about your project?

Most editors are reluctant to greenlight investigative projects.

What Is Investigative Reporting

Finding the Story

Setting up the Investigation

Finding Human Sources

Documenting the Investigation

Public Records

The Interview Process

Finding and Using Data

Building Your Own Database

Analyzing a Big Story

Writing the Story

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Bulletproofing the Investigation

Filters

Exam 14: Pitching the Story

In putting together a story pitch an editor will want to know which of the following?

Why is a story pitch essential to the success of an investigative project?

According to Bob Greene, a good story is one that people readers feel compelled to read.

How can you get an editor to let you do bigger stories in the future?

Why should you get a firm commitment from your editor for time off a regular beat?

Most reporters fail to plan out in advance investigative projects they would like to carry out.

How can you prove that you can prove your premise?

What's one reason an editor might be reluctant to let you do an investigative story?

What are visceral juices?

To build credibility, what kind of investigative story should you do at the beginning of your career?

What might be a news angle for a big investigation?

A storyboard can be used in place of a project memo.

What's one way of convincing a reluctant editor to greenlight a project?

When is the best time to approach an editor with an investigative proposal?

A nerd box refers to which of the following?

Why should you have a back-up plan ready when proposing an investigative project?

Most editors are supportive of investigative projects in concept.

Name two things you should include in a project memo.

How can a deadline help you get your editor to be more enthusiastic about your project?

Most editors are reluctant to greenlight investigative projects.

What Is Investigative Reporting

Finding the Story

Setting up the Investigation

Finding Human Sources

Documenting the Investigation

Public Records

The Interview Process

Finding and Using Data

Building Your Own Database

Analyzing a Big Story

Writing the Story

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Bulletproofing the Investigation

Filters