Interviewing & Story Development: Applied Scenario Worksheet

Interviewing and Story Development

Introduction

In the professional practice of UK journalism, the transition from gathering raw information to producing finished news report relies entirely on the quality of interviewing and story development. For a journalist working toward the ICTQual Level 3 Certificate, this unit represents the core vocational competency of human-centered reporting. An interview is far more than a simple conversation; it is a structured, purposeful interaction that requires meticulous planning, technical recording proficiency, and a deep understanding of human psychology to build rapport. In the UK, this process is governed by a strict ethical and legal framework, primarily the IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice and the Defamation Act 2013. A journalist must be capable of conducting structured interviews to gather hard facts and semi-structured interviews to uncover emotional depth, all while maintaining the accuracy required for public trust. Once the data is gathered, the journalist must act as an architect, synthesizing multiple sources into a coherent narrative. This involves identifying a “hook” or story angle that resonates with a British audience and organizing information using the inverted pyramid structure. This briefing provides the essential theoretical knowledge to manage the lifecycle of a story, from the initial research phase to the final reflective edit, ensuring all output is compelling, credible, and legally safe.

Strategic Planning and Interview Execution

Preparation and Question Hierarchy

Before a journalist even contacts a subject, they must establish clear objectives. What is the essential piece of information this story is missing? Effective preparation involves researching the subject’s background and the wider context of the news event. A journalist then develops a question hierarchy, typically starting with “warm-up” questions to establish a connection, followed by “core” questions that address the central conflict or purpose of the story.

Methodologies for Recording and Rapport

A journalist must choose the correct methodology for the situation. Structured interviews are ideal for official statements, while semi-structured interviews allow for a more natural flow, which is essential for building rapport. In the UK, building trust is a vocational skill that requires active listening and empathy, particularly when interviewing members of the public. Regardless of the method, accurate recording is a non negotiable requirement. Under the IPSO Accuracy clause, journalists must have a reliable record—be itdigital audio or shorthand notes—to ensure that quotes are used correctly and in context.

Story Development and Narrative Synthesis

Angle Identification and the Inverted Pyramid

A story angle is the specific lens through which a journalist presents a set of facts. For example, a local UK council’s decision to cut funding for a youth center could be reported through an economic angle (the budget) or a human-interest angle (the impact on local teens). Identifying the strongest angle is a critical decision-making skill. Once the angle is chosen, the journalist organizes the information using the “Inverted Pyramid” structure, which prioritizes the most vital information at the top of the article.

Selecting Quotes and Information Flow

Quote selection is a vocational art. A journalist must select quotes that add unique flavor, expert authority, or emotional resonance to the piece. It is essential to synthesize multiple sources, such as an interview with a local resident and an official statement from a UK government department, into a single coherent structure. This synthesis requires smooth transitions to maintain the story’s flow and clarity. A professional journalist must also be willing to reflect on feedback from editors to refine the narrative for better reader engagement.

Ethical Boundaries and UK Law

Interviewing Vulnerable and Sensitive Subjects

UK journalism standards, as defined by the IPSO Editors’ Code, place a high priority on the protection of vulnerable subjects. This includes children, victims of crime, or people in a state of grief or shock. A journalist must recognize the ethical boundaries of their role, ensuring that the pursuit of a story does not lead to harassment or unnecessary distress. Competency in this area means knowing how to obtain informed consent and when to stop an interview to protect the subject’s well-being.

Legal Compliance and Defamation

Every interview and story developed in the UK must navigate the legal landscape of the Defamation Act 2013. If an interviewee makes an allegation during a session, the journalist is legally responsible for verifying that claim before publication. Simply “quoting” someone does not protect a journalist from libel laws if the quote is false and harmful. Furthermore, the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR) dictates how interview recordings and personal data must be stored and managed within the newsroom.

Learner Tasks:

Learner Task 01: The Planning and Rapport Scenario

Scenario

You are a junior reporter for a regional UK news outlet. A local community garden, which has served residents for 30 years, is being closed to make way for a new car park. You have been assigned to interview a 75-year-old pensioner who has worked the garden every day and a UK local council representative who authorized the project.

Objectives

To demonstrate competency in planning interviews with clear objectives, selecting the correct interview structure, and applying techniques for building rapport with different types of subjects.

Questions

  1. Define two clear objectives for the pensioner’s interview and two for the council representative. How do your objectives differ between a human-interest source and an official source?
  2. Create a list of five questions for the pensioner. Explain the specific rapportbuilding techniques you would use to make them feel comfortable sharing their emotional connection to the garden.
  3. Why is a semi-structured interview approach better for the pensioner, while a structured approach might be more efficient for the council representative?
  4. What technical steps will you take to record these interviews (whether in person or by phone) to ensure you comply with the IPSO Accuracy clause?

Outcomes

The learner will be able to plan and prepare for interviews with clear objectives and demonstrate the ability to apply rapport-building techniques while recognizing the differences between structured and semi-structured styles.

Learner Task 02: Narrative Construction and Synthesis Scenario

Scenario

You have completed your interviews. The pensioner provided a moving quote about the garden being their “only reason to get out of the house.” The council representative provided a 200-word statement about “infrastructure requirements” and “economic growth.” You also have a previous report from a UK environmental charity stating the garden is a rare habitat for local bees.

Objectives

To demonstrate the ability to select accurate quotes, identify a strong story angle, and organize information from multiple sources into a coherent UK news structure.

Questions

  1. Identify the most compelling “Story Angle” for a digital news site. Would you lead with the pensioner’s loss or the council’s economic justification? Justify your choice based on reader engagement.
  2. Select two “Power Quotes” from your notes—one from the pensioner and one from the council representative—and explain why they are critical for the story’s balance.
  3. Outline a 400-word article structure using the Inverted Pyramid. Show where you would place the environmental charity’s data to add depth to the narrative.
  4. If an editor provides feedback that the story “lacks a clear flow,” identify two specific transitional phrases you could use to connect the pensioner’s emotional story with the council’s technical data.

Outcomes

The learner will be able to select quotes accurately, identify strong story angles, and organize information from multiple sources into a coherent article structure that flows logically.

Learner Task 03: Legal Risk and Ethical Analysis Scenario

Scenario

During the interview, the pensioner claims that the local council representative is “in the pocket of the car park developers” and has taken a bribe. You have this claim recorded on your digital device.

Objectives

To interpret the legal and ethical boundaries of interviewing and story development within the UK regulatory framework and explain how correct procedures prevent legal incidents.

Questions

  1. Explain the legal risk of including the “bribe” allegation in your story under the Defamation Act 2013. What must you do before even considering publishing such a claim?
  2. According to the IPSO Editors’ Code, what are your ethical responsibilities when interviewing a subject who is 75 years old and clearly very distressed?
  3. Describe the professional “Right of Reply” procedure. How must you contact the council representative regarding the allegation, and how should their response be reflected in your final story?
  4. How does the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply to the storage of the recording where the pensioner makes the bribe allegation?

Outcomes

The learner will demonstrate a professional understanding of UK law and regulation and recognize the ethical boundaries when interviewing vulnerable or sensitive subjects.