Reporting the news through people and nat sound

By Katrina Berning, Loras College

Eric Hanson and Mark Tauscheck discuss storytelling

Eric Hanson and Mark Tauscheck use their friendly competitiveness to improve their reporting and storytelling. The two report for rival stations in the Des Moines market.

The national award-winning journalists shared some tips at the 2008 IBNA convention on how to write stories that pique the viewer’s interest.

“Mark and I talk all the time. If I see a story on his station I e-mail him and say good work… I count on feedback from him and back and forth. Everything we do is for the viewers’ benefit,” Hanson said.

No magic way
They emphasized there is no formula to follow for good writing.

Tauscheck said his writing changes vastly from week to week and month to month, constantly adapting as he gains more experience in the field.

While there is no formula for good writing, the successful examples they showed shared two consistent ingredients- a use of natural sound and a tendency to let the characters tell the story.

Hanson tries to find enthusiastic people and let them be the heart of the piece. “Great stories have great characters… let the character be the character.”

Through spirited sound bites, Hanson tries to give the viewer a peek into what it was like to be on-location.

“If that person laughs, make the viewer laugh, if they cry, make the viewer cry. Just try to live life through that person for a few seconds.”

Both emphasized the importance of attending conferences like the IBNA Convention. Good writers learn from observing other good writers they said.