The three Ds of depth reporting

Shaw (Chapter 2) describes observation as the basis for every news story, and then outlines a half dozen ways of adding perspective to a story. While few (if any) stories use all the methods Shaw outlines, we have suggested that you should always strive to include the "Three Ds" of depth reporting: Data, Documents and Diverse sources.

Data

Data sets can be powerful assets in providing context to a story. Simple data checks can answer such questions as how much something has changed over time (has it grown larger, smaller, stronger, weaker, more prevalent or less) or how one community compares to others in a region like West Texas or a state or the nation.

For example, Census data very quickly can show us regional shifts in population over time, or demographic shifts within an area. Economic data like employment figures, product inventories, sales of goods and services regularly find their way into stories to chart the pulse of our economic well being. If a news source claims a certain phenomenon is unusual, data checks can often confirm or refute the claim. Schools who have done well on standardized testing often brag about their scores.

We are a score-keeping society. We record data on all kinds of people and activities. The uses of data for adding depth and perspective to our stories is limited only by our imaginations.

Documents

In the spirit of being a score-keeping society we leave paper trails wherever we go. Driver's licenses, marriage licenses, birth certificates, death certificates, school transcripts, business licenses, tax filings, automobile purchase papers, loan documents, house plans, real estate deeds and on and on – almost everything we do of any consequence leaves a document trail.

Even routine purchases with credit cards, telephone calls and other routine activities leave traces of where we have been and what we have been doing.

Just as individuals leave trails, businesses, government agencies, non-profit groups, service clubs, fraternities, sororities and almost any organization we can name keeps records, minutes, files reports and so on.

In aggregate, there is a wealth of documents on all kinds of subjects, people, organizations and institutions of society. They can be great assets to us as we seek to get up to speed on a topic, confirm rumors that we are following, or refute arguments used by a promoter to sell his project to county commissioners.

Diverse sources

As reporters, we tend to be pretty good about getting "both sides" of a story. In fact, we have it drummed into us to look for spokesmen for both sides of a story, and broadcasting has institutionalized "equal time" for both sides.

There are problems with this picture. Not all stories or issues have just two sides. And those that do rarely have people evenly divided; the "equal time" rule thus gives inaccurate impressions of what we are trying to report.

Sourrounding any major issue are often many points of view, shades of view and people to represent those points. For example, take something as simple as what goes into vending machines on school campuses. There are many kinds of "players" representing diverse kinds of view when it comes to school. Consider the points of view of:

• Students
• Parents
• Teachers
• PTA groups
• Administrators
• Vendors who seek contracts with schools and school districts
• Taxpayer groups
• City agencies including police, streets, traffic control
• State education administration

These diverse sources may not all be at odds with one another, but each brings a unique perspective to the table. Your job as a reporter is to know "all the players" and what they stand for, weigh their positions, and give them fair and accurate representation.

Your assignments

You will be asked to complete, on schedule, four depth reports which will be carefully researched according to the principles of the Research Plan. You will turn in your completed Research Plan with each of your depth reports. Each depth report typically will be 1,000 to 1,200 words and will employ the devices of 3D Reporting.

As with all news reports, your depth report needs a good news hook, and you turn in both the digital and hard copies. What you turn in must be in formats consistent with the assignment mechanics guidelines. In short, you have three options:

1. Printed format: Word file by e-mail, printed copy of your story.
2. Broadcast format: VHS tape (2 1/2 minute report), printed script and a short e-mail describing the project.
3. Web format: URL, copy of entire site on CD or Zip disk and a short e-mail describing the project. With your Research Plan turn in printed site map and splash page.

In ALL CASES, you will turn in your Research Plan. The digital version will include at least the two-page outline in a Word file, but does not need to contain ALL your notes.