Strat2

10 Steps to a Better Story:
Questions Editors Should Ask Reporters

Link to article: Friends, family pay tribute to UF student found dead

1. Who are the people affected?
The personal accounts in this story make it emotional and engaging. Those interviewed are ordinary people that knew Huuda on a day-to-day basis, such as Huuda’s peers from her dance and cheerleading squads and one of her professors. I believe the sources for this article were well-chosen.

2. How are people affected or how might they be affected?
This story sparks reader interest because it is about a regular UF student who was victim to a grass fire. Other students who read the article can identify with Huuda. The story also affects the Ghanaian community because Huuda was originally from Ghana. Her family is going to hold another ceremony according to Ghanaian custom. This story might lead people to be more careful around grass fires.

3. Why are you writing this?
This story is important because the University of Florida is a community, and we are all interested in what happens to any member of it. Whenever a student, staff or faculty member dies, the university usually unites in mourning as a form of respect.

4. Who are the bureaucrats?
The bureaucrat in this story is Art Forgey, the Sheriff’s Office spokesman. In regards to the subject matter, I think the reporter made a wise choice in focusing on those who were closer to Huuda instead of on bureaucrats.

5. What are the key questions?
The reporter in this story did a good job of asking her sources key questions. I can guess that the key questions she asked were:
-What were Huuda’s goals and passions?
-How do you remember Huuda?
-What made her special?
-What is her background?
-How do you plan to honor her life?

6. What research must you do?
In order to write this story, the reporter had to ask the Sheriff’s Office for a report on the events that led to her death. She then had to find out Huuda’s background information and the details of the vigil. Once the reporter found out which groups Huuda belonged to, she was able to find people who would be willing to be interviewed for the story.

7. Where can you go?
The reporter had to go to Huuda’s vigil in order to interview her peers. She also had to go to the Sherriff’s Office to get the basic information about her death.

8. What are you missing?
The only part that was missing was a direct testimony from Huuda’s family. However, it seems ethical to respect their silence in a time of mourning. Also, a short story about her move from Ghana to the United States could have added an interesting angle to the story.

9. How can you be creative?
This story is about a tragic event and should keep a respectful tone. However, the article could have started with an anecdote of her move to the United States or a description of one of her dance performances.

10. What is your vision?
With the meaningful quotes that were gathered, the article has an emotional tone. This appeals to the reader because he or she feels identified to Huuda as a UF student. I like that the reporter did not introduce the cause of her death until the fourth paragraph. The story focuses more on remembering her as a person than on the details of her death.

I think the reporter and editor of this article did a great job of answering the 10 questions. The only suggestion I would make would be to include a little more information about her move from Ghana to the United States. This would appeal more to other immigrants who could identify with her as a person. Also, if possible, a quote from a family member could have a stronger impact on the reader.