Interviewing & Story Development: Topic Briefing for Level 3
Interviewing and Story Development
Introduction
The ability to extract meaningful information through interviewing and weaving that data into a compelling narrative is the foundational heartbeat of the British media industry. For a journalist working toward the ICTQual Level 3 Certificate, this unit is not merely about asking questions; it is about the strategic preparation, execution, and ethical management of human sources to produce high-quality news. In the United Kingdom, the practice of interviewing is governed by a strict adherence to accuracy and the protection of vulnerable subjects, as outlined by the IPSO Editors’ Code and OFCOM regulations. A vocational approach to this unit requires the learner to master the technicalities of recording and transcription while simultaneously developing the “soft skills” of building rapport and identifying unique story angles that resonate with a UK audience. Whether conducting a structured interview for a profile piece or a semistructured interview for a breaking news event, the journalist must act as a professional gatekeeper, ensuring that every quote selected is accurate and that every narrative developed is coherent and legally safe. This briefing provides the essential theoretical and practical knowledge to manage the lifecycle of a story from the initial research phase to the final reflective edit.
Strategic Planning and Interview Execution
Preparation and Objective Setting
Successful interviewing begins long before the first question is asked. Vocational competency requires a journalist to set clear objectives: what is the specific piece of information needed to move the story forward? Preparation involves deep research into the subject’s background and the context of the story. A journalist must prepare a list of primary questions designed to meet their objectives, but they must also remain flexible enough to follow new leads.
Structured vs. Semi-Structured Techniques
A professional must choose the right tool for the job. Structured interviews are often used for gathering specific data or “on the record” official statements, where the questions are pre-determined. In contrast, semi-structured interviews allow for a more conversational flow, which is essential for building rapport and uncovering deeper human-interest angles. In the UK, whether the interview is conducted in person, via phone, or through digital platforms, the journalist must ensure they have a reliable method for recording and transcribing the data to prevent any breach of the Accuracy clause of the Editors’ Code.
Story Development and Narrative Organization
Angle Identification and Quote Selection
A story angle is the unique lens through which a journalist views a set of facts. Competency involves looking at multiple sources and identifying the “hook” that will grab a UK reader’s attention. Once the interview is complete, the journalist must carefully select quotes that add color, emotion, or authority to the story. It is a vocational failure to “cherry-pick” quotes out of context; instead, the journalist must ensure the selected text accurately reflects the interviewee’s intent while fitting into a coherent narrative.
Information Synthesis and Article Structure
Organizing information from multiple, often conflicting, sources is a critical skill. The journalist must synthesize this data into a logical structure—typically using the inverted pyramid or a feature-style narrative. This requires the ability to transition smoothly between the journalist’s prose and the interviewee’s quotes. In the UK market, the narrative must flow logically to maintain reader engagement, and any feedback from editors must be used to refine the clarity and impact of the final piece.
Ethics, Rapport, and Legal Boundaries
Building Trust and Managing Vulnerability
Building rapport is a practical skill involving active listening, body language, and empathy. However, a journalist must recognize clear ethical boundaries, especially when dealing with vulnerable or sensitive subjects, such as victims of crime or children. Under UK regulations, journalists must show particular care to avoid intrusive or distressing questioning. Competency means knowing how to secure “informed consent” and when to stop an interview if the subject’s well-being is at risk.
UK Legal Compliance and Professional Standards
Every interview and story developed in the UK must navigate the legal landscape of the Defamation Act 2013 and the Data Protection Act 2018. If an interviewee makes a defamatory claim during a recorded session, the journalist is legally responsible for verifying that claim before publication. Furthermore, the IPSO Editors’ Code sets the standard for privacy and accuracy. A professional journalist must be able to reflect on their own work to ensure that their narrative does not accidentally mislead the public or breach the privacy of their subjects.
Learner Tasks:
Learner Task 01: Interview Planning and Execution
Scenario
You are a junior reporter for a regional UK newspaper. You have been assigned to interview a local business owner who is closing their 50-year-old family shop due to rising energy costs in the UK. You have 20 minutes for a phone interview.
Objectives
To demonstrate competency in planning an interview with clear objectives and choosing the correct structure to build rapport and extract a strong story angle.
Questions
- Define three specific objectives for this interview and write five questions (a mix of open and closed) designed to achieve these goals.
- Explain why a semi-structured approach would be more effective than a strictly structured one in this specific scenario.
- Describe the technical steps you would take to record this phone interview and how you would ensure the accuracy of the transcription under IPSO guidelines.
- If the interviewee becomes emotional during the call, what specific techniques would you use to maintain rapport while respecting their sensitive state?
Outcomes
The learner will be able to plan and prepare for interviews with clear objectives and demonstrate an understanding of structured and semi-structured techniques.
Learner Task 02: Narrative Development and Information Synthesis
Scenario
Following your interview with the shop owner, you now have a 1,500-word transcript. You also have a brief statement from the local UK council regarding business rates and a quote from a regular customer who is sad to see the shop go.
Objectives
To demonstrate the ability to select accurate quotes, identify a compelling story angle, and organize multiple sources into a coherent UK news article.
Questions
- From your shop owner transcript, select two “power quotes” and justify why these are more effective for a news story than a simple summary of their words.
- Identify two different story angles for this piece—one focused on the “human cost” and one focused on “economic policy”—and explain which would better suit a local digital news site.
- Outline a 400-word article structure that synthesizes the shop owner’s quotes, the council statement, and the customer’s perspective into a coherent flow.
- After receiving feedback that your first draft is “too technical,” how would you rewrite the lead paragraph to improve reader engagement for a mobile audience?
Outcomes
The learner will be able to select quotes accurately, identify strong story angles, and organize information from multiple sources into a coherent structure.
Learner Task 03: Ethical Decision Making and UK Law
Scenario
During an interview regarding a controversial new housing development in a UK village, a resident makes an unverified allegation that a local councilor accepted a bribe from the developers. You have the interview recorded on your digital device.
Objectives
To interpret the legal and ethical boundaries of interviewing and story development within the UK regulatory framework.
Questions
- Explain the legal risk of including the “bribe” quote in your story under the Defamation Act 2013 if you cannot find secondary evidence to support it.
- According to the IPSO Editors’ Code, what are your ethical responsibilities when interviewing a resident who is highly distressed by the potential loss of their home?
- How should you handle the storage of the digital recording and transcript of this sensitive interview to comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018?
- Reflect on the “right to reply.” Describe the process of contacting the accused councillor and how their response (or lack thereof) should be integrated into your narrative.
Outcomes
The learner will recognize ethical and legal boundaries when dealing with sensitive subjects and demonstrate a professional understanding of UK law and regulation.