When the reporter and coach work together during the writing process, you’ll see that investing a little time early saves a lot of time later. Two minutes invested in the idea step can cut reporting time in half. Two minutes invested in the organize step sends the reporter into the draft and revise steps knowing what to say and how, saving considerable writing time. Add it up: two minutes plus two minutes saves hours.
At each stage of the writing process, there is a role for the coach and a role for the writer.
Step 1
- Writer Action: Idea
- Coach Action: Brief
- Description: Both develop an idea by brainstorming
Step 2
- Writer Action: Collect
- Coach Action: Help
- Description: Reporter gathers material; coach adjusts as the story changes
Step 3
- Writer Action: Organize
- Coach Action: Debrief
- Description: Coach helps reporter plan story and negotiates length
Step 4
- Writer Action: Draft
- Coach Action: Help
- Description: Reporter drafts rough version of story; coach helps if writer gets stuck
Step 5
- Writer Action: Revise
- Coach Action: Help
- Description: Reporter finishes the story; coach helps if writer gets stuck
The writing process allows writers and coaches to analyze what works and what needs changing. This is an opportunity to align the process with a writer’s strengths and either work on or work around the writer’s weaknesses.
Taken from The Language of Coaching, a self-directed course by Poynter’s Roy Peter Clark at Poynter NewsU.
