Look, write and rewrite - Journalists have to spend much more
time in the process of writing - and rewriting. They also need to practise using
their eyes.
Abstracts by Kathrine Schmeichel

Most investigative journalists spend too little time in writing. If they do
research for three weeks they should at least write and rewrite for two weeks!
Journalists have to write their stories so that the readers are able to
see it. Hence it is necessary continuously to practice the art of observing
(like policemen do!). Always remember the reader. Tell the story in the
same clear way you would tell it to your mother, father, fiance, friends or
other persons close to you. A good journalist always uses the work of
other journalists! For instance check out the library of I.R.E. (www.ire.org) where 17.000 pieces of Investigative
stories are kept. Then contact the journalist personally.
Forget to write simple and short. Write long and clear! Write early
in the process of research. And write often. Always remember what
originally made you start the story. It is a myth that investigative
journalism should be read by everybody! Just like sports and other kind
of areas have their own specific readers.
Show AND tell - A good investigative story combines declarative statements
and telling examples, and do not deal with only black and white - but with all
the grey shades.
Too many examples of bad writing among investigative journalists.
Writing should take almost the same amount of time as the research.
Write an abstract of the story during the process of research (also in order
to inform the editor!). Use the techniques as authors do. E.g. build up
the story with development of characters and plots. Show AND tell the
story. Go into the grey shades. Do not reduce the aspects to only black
and white. Leave most of you research on note book. A good story should
only be a fraction of the book! Rewriting is revision, which is crucial.
Remember the reader and hence the simplicity. But simplicity is not the
same as a simple story! Series of articles are too often too equal from
day to day. Plan a sub theme for every day and announce it — pinned out — in
advance.
Simplicity can not be exaggerated - If the reader have just one idea of what
your investigative story is about, the journalist has succeeded.
Do not make stories of subjects - but of people.
The investigative story has been a success if you have left the
readers/viewers with just one idea of what the whole story was about.
Simplicity can not be exaggerated.
Do not show all you research in the story (leave it on the note book).
Often too much micro and too little macro in the (case)stories.
The journalist has to feel/show emotional attachment in order to reach the
reader.