Marking Criteria 2000-word Investigative Story You are more likely to receive a high mark if you: have chosen a topic of public interest worthy of a journalistic investigation have correctly assessed the viability of the investigation considering your resources, skills, experience and the time allocated for this exercise have set clear, valid, reachable goals for your investigation have identified, contacted and interviewed relevant, authoritative and credible sources and consulted documents, reports and previous investigations related to your subject; have used a range of investigative methods and techniques that were appropriate for the topic of the investigation have written an interesting, fluent, appealing story that presents the results of your research in a clear and unambiguous manner have conducted yourself in an ethical manner throughout the exercise, and in particular, have been respectful, considerate and cooperative to your team mates and your tutor. A 2000-WORD INVESTIGATIVE STORY Teams of two to three members will write a 2000-word investigative story on a subject of their choice that must be approved by the module convener. Notice this is a journalistic story, not an academic essay, so it must be written as if intended for publication in a newspaper or magazine in the UK. You will: 1- Identify an appropriate subject for your story. Remember: “(Investigative journalists’) stories call attention to the breakdown of social systems and the disorder within public institutions that cause injury and injustice; in turn, their stories implicitly demand the response of public officials –and the public itself- to that breakdown and disorder. Thus, the work of these reporters calls us, as a society, to decide what is, and what is not, an outrage to our sense of moral order and to consider our expectations for our officials, our institutions, and ultimately ourselves” (Ettema and Glasser 1998: 3). 2- Assess the viability of your idea. You must consider the complexity of the subject, the accessibility of sources, the time and resources that would be necessary to complete the research. You must assess the risk involved and the ethical and legal problems that might arise during the course of the investigation. You must also consider whether you possess the knowledge, the experience, the technical expertise and other necessary professional skills and personal qualities to succeed in your work. 3- Plan the research. You must identify and locate sources of information, and devise a strategy to reach them. You must assess the effectiveness of several research methods and use the ones that better suit you and your research. Remember: “You have to be skeptical of your own sources.