2. WRITING A TREND STORY
• A trend story describes
a series of events and
traces them to a
common cause or
causes.
3. The Key
• The key to reporting • Most trend stories focus
and writing a trend on one link in an
story is understanding extensive chain of cause
the cause-and-effect and effect. Asking
relationships in the yourself a series of
subject area, and being questions can help
able to describe them focus the story
clearly for readers.
4. Q1
• Where does the story
lie? Is it the trend? The
causes of the trend? Or
the consequences of
the trend?
5. Q1
• Regardless of where you choose to focus the
story, you must keep the readers aware of
where this trend lies in the chain of cause and
effect. In short, tell them what is causing the
trend and make sure they are aware of what
the possible implications might be.
6. Q2
• Do you have specific
examples that
demonstrate how and
why this trend is
occurring?
7. Q2
• Generally, there are two ways to handle such
examples: through focusing intensely on one
person or situation that illustrates the
situation, or through a broad-brush sampling
of many individual cases. A general rule: The
best material comes from those with the
closest exposure to the trend, so bring the
camera as close as possible to the front lines.
8. Q3
• Do you have an expert
or experts to give an
overview of the subject
area?
9. Q3
• Besides individuals directly affected by or
involved with the subject, you will need to
interview someone with an overview, a
neutral expert who is knowledgeable about
the subject.
