Chapter 13 Summary

In the textbook Telling the Story, chapter 13 covers how to write common types of stories, including stories on crime, accidents and fires, court happenings, and obituaries.

For any story, the place to start is by answering the "who, what, where, when, why, and how" of the event. Official police reports, the newsroom's library, and witnesses or victims involved are all good sources to go to for answers to these questions.

When reporting on a crime, one should do as much research as possible on things such as the background of people involved and the location the crime has occurred. Arriving at the scene of a crime as it is taking place or soon afterward has the advantage of gathering information firsthand; official police reports can bring you up to speed, however, these must be handled with caution because they are not always accurate.

Court stories are among the more difficult to write. Each is handled differently, depending on the type of crime, persons involved, and prolongation of court hearings. The most important thing to keep in mind is accuracy; if a reporter is unsure of some court proceedings, it is always better to ask than to potentially write something inaccurately.

Stories on crime and court must be handled with great caution. Risk of libel, damaging a person's reputation with a written statement, is especially high among these cases and reporters must be sure to write objectively by using words such as "alleged" so as not to get themselves in trouble for libel.

Sources are important to stories on accidents and fires. The person in charge of the investigation, civilian witnesses, friends or relatives of victim(s), and possibly the victim(s) themselves if they are available, are the best sources to glean from. The most important information to provide on accidents and fires is whether life is endangered and if there have been fatalities or injuries.

Obituaries are read frequently and are big business for news corporations, particularly when published online. The "Five W's and One H" should always be answered in obituaries; however, good writers will also include personal information on the deceased. Things that make the person unique, such as their achievements, occupation, or memberships make each obituary special.


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