Headlines make all the difference in a news report. Interestingly, the reader must work backward to get the full story since they are given the focus to gain their attention. To answer the who, what, where, why, and how, readers are to work out the finer details as they move through the piece in the reverse manner of a typical story. The idea of ‘telling a friend’ is appealing and beneficial for the journalist to capture the main focus from the beginning. Readers uncover the critical information following the primary action; if they are intrigued, to reach the conclusions to their questions. Varying methods employed by journalists, I find the ‘nut graph’ fascinating due to its slight relation to the proper topic, followed by the real story and context.
Quotes and their attributions have quite a few rules on their own. While utilizing outside information, journalists must be cautious of plagiarism, as it can occur in numerous ways. Even using a simple Twitter post may result in a journalist’s dismissal. When obtaining quotes from individuals about a story you cover, one must ensure your source has agreed to use their interview on air. A concept many may not consider, but it is an ethical quandary that journalists have faced. With so many rules and guidelines, journalists must ensure they are not overstepping and reporting accurately and in the correct format.