Asking Good Questions — Reporter Style
A REPORTER is a person whose job is to ask questions and share what they learn. Good reporters know a secret: every real story needs answers to 6 magic questions. Learn them and you can interview anyone, about anything.
The 5 W's + H
The magic 6 questions are:\n\n- **WHO** was there?\n- **WHAT** happened?\n- **WHERE** did it happen?\n- **WHEN** did it happen?\n- **WHY** did it happen?\n- **HOW** did it happen?\n\nIf a reporter is missing any of these, the story has a hole! Reporters keep a little mental checklist: "Do I have WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? WHY? HOW?"
An Example
Imagine you are reporting on your friend who just won a kickball game:\n\n- WHO won? Sam!\n- WHAT happened? He kicked a home run!\n- WHERE? The school field.\n- WHEN? At recess today.\n- WHY was he happy? His team won the game.\n- HOW did he do it? He kicked the ball over the fence.\n\nNow you have a COMPLETE story. Without any of those, someone would be confused.
What are the 5 W's + H?
Good vs. Great Reporter Questions
A good reporter asks the 5 W's + H. A GREAT reporter also asks:\n\n- "How did you FEEL when that happened?"\n- "What was the HARDEST part?"\n- "What did you LEARN?"\n\nThese follow-up questions get EMOTIONS and LESSONS, not just facts. That is what turns news into a STORY.
Reporter Rules
Good reporters follow rules:\n\n1. Listen MORE than you talk.\n2. Write down EXACT words when something important is said.\n3. Check FACTS — "Are you sure? Where did you hear that?"\n4. Be FAIR — tell BOTH sides of a story.\n5. Never make things up. If you did not hear it, do not write it.
What should a good reporter do if they are not SURE a fact is true?
Be a Kitchen Reporter
1. Pick a family member making dinner.\n2. With their permission, "report" on the dinner:\n - WHO is cooking?\n - WHAT are they making?\n - WHERE are they making it?\n - WHEN will it be ready?\n - WHY did they pick this meal?\n - HOW are they making it?\n3. Also ask: "How do you FEEL about cooking tonight?"\n4. Write a 5-sentence "news report" about dinner.\n5. Read it at the table before eating!
Interview an Expert
1. Find an adult who does something interesting (a job, a hobby, a sport).\n2. Prepare 6 questions: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW about their expertise.\n3. Write their answers.\n4. Ask ONE feeling question: "What is your favorite part?"\n5. Write a 1-paragraph article about what you learned.\n6. You just did what real reporters do every day.
Why Reporters Matter
Reporters keep us informed about the world. They tell us when leaders are lying, when new inventions are coming, and when something amazing happens in our community. A world without reporters would be like a world without eyes — lots happening, but nobody knows. When you ask good questions, you are practicing one of the most valuable skills a person can have.
What makes a "Great Reporter" different from a "Good Reporter"?
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