Page 158 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

THIS VS. THAT

DATA COLLECTION
SURVEYS VS. POLLS
Survey and poll information is often primary content in
SURVEYS quick reads and supplementary content in traditional FINDING STORIES 7.3
stories, but some schools struggle with collecting data.
Surveys are an informal way to gain
information and to involve readers in Polling your school community can be challenging if you
your stories. They yield insights, but don’t have a digital delivery system. Some schools are
have less validity than polls because of fortunate to have email contact information for students The hardest part of writing a story is finding the story to tell. It’s
and families and might choose to survey students via
the small sample size. In many cases, 10 Google Forms or possibly a pay platform like Survey easy to summarize the events of a sports season, but far more
is a common sample size.
Monkey. The benefits of these methods come in the ease challenging to find the moment that things changed for the team.
If survey results are used in a story or of delivery and ability to reach your respondents. Naturally, Even interviewing students seldom reveals these moments. But
alternative story form, the number of the drawbacks of using technology is that messages can
people surveyed should always be given. be easily ignored or deleted, and if using a paid provider, asking questions and listening to the answers are the first steps
Results are reported as “ out of 10” sometimes the additional expense is more than some club in finding a good story.
and middle school programs can manage.
(or whatever number is surveyed).
One low-fi way to run a survey is to create a print version
POLLS and distribute it during an elective or homeroom class. When a student or yearbook team is assigned a page topic, the first thing they should do
Depending on the size of your staff and the size of your is research. Research involves more than just figuring out the when and where. Research
Polls are the more reliable way to school, this can be time consuming to review and analyze. means work in the field—getting out and attending events, photographing and interviewing
sample a population group. They are However, if you are looking to get a response from every the people who participate. After initial research has been conducted, students should
used frequently by the professional member of your school community, this is often the review their notes looking closely at content. Using a highlighter, shade material in the notes
media to sample public opinion. most successful. that will make the story interesting. Next, they should look for storytelling quotes, text that
Polls solicit feedback from a random Polls can be conducted at random. To maintain will add insights that reveal key parts to the story, but also the personality of the source.
sample of your student population. journalistic integrity, it is a good idea to indicate that The goal of research and brainstorming is to find an angle. If composition is how a photo
Ten percent of a group (like the total the poll represents only a sampling of students. Most is taken, the angle is how a story is told. The angle is the point or theme of the story and a
enrollment of your school or the number publications aim to reach a minimum of one third of your writer must filter information through this angle. Once a writer has an angle, they may begin
of sophomores this year) should be total population. to draft their work. The Building a Story sheet can also help students develop an angle and
surveyed for valid statistical results. plan for their page.
Results are reported in percentages. Lunchroom polls—one or two yes and no questions—
might be conducted by placing the question(s) on a
clipboard and sending it student by student down the
lunchroom tables, allowing students to quickly, and
anonymously, check off their preference and pass it down.
INFORMATION GATHERING

Tabulating this data may take additional time, but students

Name_____________________________________
THE INTRODUCTION. Get the basic facts: Who, what, where, when, why and how (if easily apparent)
often respond well when approached in person.
Say and spell your name.

Tell me about…
(the event, the game, this photo, etc.)

THE WARM-UP. To establish trust, ask an unprepared question in response to what you’ve heard.

THE PITCH. The questions you came to ask. Listen for a response that makes you feel something.

THE FOLLOW-UP. Thank your subject and get contact information should a follow-up be needed.

© 2018 by Jostens, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Mia Fortunato: Coronado High School, NV

WRITING 159