In this how-to guide we look at the importance of having a story plan when covering a complex issue.
Building a news story without a plan is like trying to build a model without the instructions. You might have all the pieces, but you will not know how to put them together in a way that makes sense.
A story plan helps you see what is missing and ensures your report is easy for your audience to follow. Please read the MHM article ‘Creating a structured news report‘ before applying the following checklist to your work.
Of course you won’t have time to create a story plan if you are covering breaking news – we have a separate training article on ‘Handling breaking news‘, but a story plan will be a great help when producing ‘Proactive in-depth journalism‘.
Follow this checklist to build a strong foundation for your reporting:
- [ ] Start with a central idea
Take a blank piece of paper then write your main fact or event in the middle. Draw a circle around it so it remains the heart of your story. See ‘Essential elements of a news story‘. - [ ] Map out different angles
Draw smaller circles around your main idea. Think about costs, the people involved, the local impact, and what the future might hold for the story. See ‘Developing important news angles‘. - [ ] Identify missing information
Use your plan to see where the gaps are. Do you need more data? Do you need to speak to an expert or a local official? Have you spoken to those affected? See ‘Developing and handling news sources‘. - [ ] Include a map or visual aid
Even if people know the area, a map helps provide context and makes your story more professional and more informative. - [ ] Talk to a colleague
Share your plan with another journalist or your editor. They can offer a fresh perspective and help you refine your ideas. See ‘Story development techniques‘. - [ ] Think about the human angle
Ensure you have interviews that show how the news affects people in their daily lives. - [ ] Set a follow-up date
Great journalism does not end with one report. Mark a date in your diary to revisit the story in a few months to see what has changed. See ‘Forward planning for media organisations‘. - [ ] Plan your social media promotion
Decide how you will tell people why they should care about your story. Use a strong sentence that encourages them to click or watch. See ‘Social media test for mainstream media‘.
By following these steps, you are moving away from simply collecting facts and towards becoming a skilled storyteller. Keep your plans simple, stay curious, and always look for the deeper meaning behind the news.
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