Focus

It’s one thing to be given a topic, but you have to find the idea or the concept within that topic.

• Why does my story matter
• What’s the point/focus of my story: Purdue Concert Committee (so an article about the committee with the focus on how hard it can be to attract acts here)
• Why is this story being told: Intramural officials (so not a how-to be a referee article but a “you don’t realize all that goes into this” article
• Think of one word/theme that tells what your story is really about: Variasian dance group (bound by love of same things)

Basically you never want to lead with something that might be viewed as background. You don’t want a story to read like a pamphlet or a Wikipedia entry.

Some leads can be more specific; sometimes a more narrative lead would work best for these stories.

Profiles, articles about people or things, also need a focus.

When reviewing your interview and notes, find a theme that links together the material. For example, if your subject talks about failures that led to their success, the theme of persistence in the face of failure can serve as a good angle.