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Jane Ripps
Managing Editor, ODYSSEY Media Group
reporting
Being a good reporter goes beyond interviewing and throwing quotes together. One of the most prevalent lessons I continue to preach to every staffer and editor I conference with during a magazine cycle is to think like a reporter during their interviews to collect their information. If the 5Ws and 1H aren't answered, or the writer is repeating the same information in the transition that the following quote shares, then some step in the process was missed.
In various pieces I have worked on, I have recognized the importance of taking the extra step and using my first amendment rights as a journalist to get answers. This includes opening public records, interviewing effectively, and selecting informative quotes. This level of dedication and specificity is necessary to accurately tell a story.
researching, opening public records
Examining Safety in Sports, Oct. 2024
Request
In the story
In Oct. 2024, when I began working on an investigative feature exploring safety measures at my school's sporting events, I knew I needed verified information. There was actually an incident at one of the football games earlier in the season that caused quite a scene, and after interviewing administration and getting no answers, I used my first-amendment right to open a public record. This included submitting a request through my local government and receiving a copy of officer's walkie-talkie transcript and an incident report. I was then able to extract information from the report to use in my story. Click the link below to read the story in its entirety. Click below to read the full story:
interviewing
Whenever I am going into an interview, I always write out concepts to hit instead of questions. This keeps the interview conversational. For an interview I had scheduled with the CEO of Extra Special People, Inc., which provides transformative experiences for children with disabilities, I did exactly this. When I was freshman, I would always write questions down and I found that instead of actually engaging in the interview I would just go down the list. By having concepts listed out, I found I wasn't so absorbed in reading them off like a script and I can think on my feet. This form of accountability allows me to conduct a free flowing conversation without missing the vital information I need.
picking quotes
first interview
second interview
Above I have included two interviews I conducted with Laura Hope Whitaker, the CEO of Extra Special People, Inc. The first time I interviewed Laura, I gathered a lot of base line information that helped me understand the purpose of ESP and its foundation. Following this interview, I highlight important quotes and information I needed to write the story. It was then I realized that I needed to reinterview to ask more about the personal journal Laura experienced when she took over the incorporation at 19-years-old. I was also dealing with an extremely sensitive subject, and I wanted to be as thorough of a reporter as possible. Following this interview, I did the same thing and highlighted important information and picked out the quotes I wanted to include in the story. Being a reporter involves these things: knowing what information you need, what quotes will shape your story and message, and also when to follow-up and conduct another interview.
telling the story
When I was a sophomore I wrote this 300-word stylized story about a Spanish teacher at my high school. I knew nothing about stylized writing, and had to embody the role of reporter. My lede is all observational, and each detail is something I had to pick up during our interview. I also used very descriptive language to communicate the kind of dreamer she is, and the passion she has for her job. This story forced me to be a reporter and observe every little detail of her classroom and her mannerism, and through this I was properly able to write about her journey to where she is today.
cycle reflections
cycle 1
cycle 2
At the end of each cycle, everyone on staff is required to reflect on their best and worst interviews of the cycle, as well as what they will do differently going into the next cycle. I use all of these assignment as reality checks to ground myself as a leader and journalist. If an interview wasn't the best conversation it could be, how could I have improved it? What will I do differently going forward? These check-ins hold me accountable and remind me of the standards I need to work towards.
recognition
At the end of my junior year, I was voted by my staff of over 30 students to receive the "Writer of the Year" award at our end-of-year banquet in May. Throughout my work in investigative reporting and drafting community features, I leaned into my passion for going out into my community to tell the story. This drive was recognized, and I continue to carry this recognition with me
presenting
My sophomore year, I partnered up with Miles Lawrence, a Variety Staffer, to create this presentation about writing in-depth stories. being a reporter is so much more than just getting in and getting out of an interview. It's observing and finding the purpose of your piece. We presented at the 2023 GSPA Spring Conference as well as the 2023 SIPA Convention. Miles and I really focused on engaging the crowd through including various turn and talks as well as asking for thoughts from the crowd periodically throughout both experiences. Through our preparation, I also learned so much about being an effective reporting when telling in-depth and personal stories.
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