13.4 Building a portfolio of investigative work
3 min read•july 24, 2024
Investigative journalists need a strong portfolio to showcase their skills and impact. It's crucial to highlight diverse research methods, critical thinking, and published work across various media formats.
A well-organized portfolio demonstrates the journalist's ability to handle complex assignments and drive real-world change. It should include curated pieces, evidence of impact, and a clear presentation of investigative techniques used in each story.
Portfolio Development for Investigative Journalism
Influence of families and peer groups
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Peer-Driven Change in Greater Boston | Bridgespan View original
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Telling the Coaches Story | The Common Ratio View original
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2.7 Storytelling and the Information Strategy – Information Strategies for Communicators View original
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Peer-Driven Change in Greater Boston | Bridgespan View original
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Telling the Coaches Story | The Common Ratio View original
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Top images from around the web for Influence of families and peer groups
Peer-Driven Change in Greater Boston | Bridgespan View original
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Telling the Coaches Story | The Common Ratio View original
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2.7 Storytelling and the Information Strategy – Information Strategies for Communicators View original
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Peer-Driven Change in Greater Boston | Bridgespan View original
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Telling the Coaches Story | The Common Ratio View original
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- Showcase professional skills and experience
- Demonstrate ability to conduct in-depth research using diverse sources (public records, interviews)
- Highlight critical thinking and analysis skills through complex story structures
- Provide evidence of published work
- Display range of investigative topics covered (corruption, environmental issues, social injustice)
- Show variety of media formats (long-form articles, data visualizations, podcasts)
- Attract potential employers or clients
- Differentiate from other job candidates by showcasing unique investigative approaches
- Prove capability to handle complex investigative assignments with examples of multi-part series
- Establish credibility in the field
- Show track record of successful investigations leading to concrete outcomes
- Demonstrate impact of reporting on society or policy changes (legislative reforms, corporate )
Socialization from institutions
- Curated selection of best investigative pieces
- Long-form articles uncovering systemic issues
- Data-driven stories revealing hidden patterns
- Multimedia investigations combining text, visuals, and audio
- Diverse range of investigative techniques demonstrated
- Document analysis of government records or corporate filings
- using statistical analysis and
- Undercover reporting for exposing hidden practices
- Source cultivation leading to whistleblower revelations
- Evidence of impact and follow-up stories
- Policy changes resulting from investigations (new laws passed, regulations implemented)
- Legal actions or reforms initiated by authorities based on reporting
- Awards, recognition, or notable achievements in investigative journalism
- Professional biography and statement of investigative focus areas
- Contact information and professional social media profiles for networking
Portfolio Organization and Presentation
Political and economic innovations in Song China
- Clear and intuitive navigation structure
- Categorize stories by topic (financial crimes, human rights abuses) or investigative technique
- Chronological order to show progression of skills and increasing complexity of investigations
- Compelling visual design
- Clean, professional layout emphasizing readability
- Consistent branding across portfolio reflecting journalistic identity
- Multimedia integration
- Embed video clips of TV appearances or documentary segments
- Include interactive data visualizations supporting investigative findings
- Mobile-responsive design for accessibility across devices
- Brief summaries or abstracts for each featured investigation
- Highlight key findings and impact on target audience or society
- Explain investigative process used, showcasing unique approaches or challenges overcome
- Testimonials or endorsements from editors or reputable sources
- Links to full articles or reports when applicable, driving traffic to original publications
Social comparisons of Song China vs Nomadic Steppe Peoples
- Online portfolio websites
- Personal domain for professional branding (firstnamelastname.com)
- Content management systems (WordPress, Squarespace) for easy updates
- Professional networking sites
- LinkedIn profile with featured articles and endorsements
- Muck Rack for journalist-specific networking and source connections
- Social media platforms for sharing and engagement
- Twitter for breaking news and updates on ongoing investigations
- Medium for long-form content and behind-the-scenes insights
- Digital platforms
- Exposure for photo-heavy investigations on visual topics
- Shorthand for immersive multimedia stories with parallax scrolling
- Online repositories for data-driven stories
- GitHub for sharing data analysis code and promoting
- Tableau Public for interactive data visualizations supporting investigative findings
Key Terms to Review (18)
Accountability: Accountability in reporting refers to the obligation of journalists to provide transparent and truthful information while being answerable to their audience, sources, and the wider public. This concept is crucial as it ensures that reporters act ethically, uphold standards, and are responsible for the impact of their work on society.
Angle: In journalism, an angle refers to a specific perspective or approach taken when reporting a story. It shapes how the information is presented and can significantly influence the audience's perception. A well-defined angle helps distinguish a piece of writing from others covering the same topic, making it crucial for effectively pitching to editors and building a portfolio of investigative work.
Bob Woodward: Bob Woodward is a renowned American investigative journalist and author, best known for his work with The Washington Post, particularly in uncovering the Watergate scandal. His investigative style and commitment to thorough research have greatly influenced the evolution of investigative journalism, emphasizing accountability and transparency in government.
Confidential sources: Confidential sources are individuals who provide information to reporters on the condition that their identity remains undisclosed. These sources play a vital role in investigative journalism, as they often offer insights and information that would not be accessible otherwise. Maintaining the confidentiality of these sources is essential for building trust and ensuring the flow of information necessary for thorough reporting.
Cross-referencing: Cross-referencing is the practice of verifying information by comparing it with multiple sources or data points to ensure accuracy and reliability. This method enhances the credibility of information by allowing researchers and journalists to confirm facts through different perspectives, leading to more robust findings.
Data journalism: Data journalism is a reporting style that involves using numerical data to tell stories, analyze trends, and uncover hidden insights. This approach allows journalists to present complex information in a more understandable way, often utilizing visualizations and statistical analysis to engage the audience. By harnessing data, reporters can enhance their investigative work, identify newsworthy topics, and adapt their stories for digital platforms.
Data visualization: Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data to help users understand complex data sets, identify patterns, and gain insights. It combines data analysis with visual elements to make the information more accessible and engaging, aiding in storytelling and enhancing comprehension across various platforms.
Digital forensics: Digital forensics refers to the process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence from computers, networks, and other electronic devices in a manner that is legally acceptable. It plays a crucial role in investigations by ensuring that evidence is handled correctly and can be used to verify facts and claims during inquiries. Digital forensics intersects with various aspects of investigative work and fact-checking processes, emphasizing the importance of accurate data retrieval and validation in a digital world.
Editorial independence: Editorial independence refers to the freedom of journalists and news organizations to report news and express opinions without undue influence from external sources, such as advertisers, government, or corporate entities. This independence is crucial for maintaining journalistic integrity, credibility, and public trust, particularly when it comes to investigative work that often challenges powerful interests.
Evidence-based reporting: Evidence-based reporting is a journalistic approach that emphasizes the use of verifiable data, facts, and credible sources to support claims made in news stories. This method ensures that journalism is rooted in reality, enhancing the credibility of the information presented and enabling journalists to hold power accountable through factual analysis and transparency.
Expose: In the context of investigative journalism, an expose refers to a detailed report that uncovers wrongdoing, corruption, or unethical behavior within organizations, institutions, or individuals. Exposes play a vital role in promoting accountability and transparency by bringing important issues to public attention and often driving change or reform in society.
Fact-checking: Fact-checking is the process of verifying information and claims made in reporting to ensure accuracy and credibility. This practice is crucial in journalism as it helps maintain the integrity of news, supports ethical standards, and enhances the trustworthiness of the information provided to the public.
Hook: A hook is a compelling opening statement or element that captures the reader's attention and draws them into a story. It sets the tone and sparks interest, making the audience eager to read further. A well-crafted hook can come in various forms, such as a provocative question, a shocking statistic, or a vivid description, and is essential in long-form journalism, pitching stories, and building a portfolio of investigative work.
Ida B. Wells: Ida B. Wells was an influential African American journalist, educator, and early civil rights advocate known for her investigative work on the lynching of Black individuals in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her courageous reporting not only highlighted the injustices faced by Black communities but also emphasized the crucial role of investigative journalism in advocating for social change and equality.
Immersion reporting: Immersion reporting is a journalism technique where the reporter deeply engages with the subject matter by experiencing it firsthand, often spending extended periods within a community or situation. This method allows journalists to gain unique insights and perspectives that can lead to more in-depth and nuanced storytelling. By living the experiences of their subjects, immersion reporters can uncover hidden truths and convey the emotional realities of the story they are covering.
Long-form narrative: A long-form narrative is a storytelling format that goes beyond traditional news reporting to provide a deep and immersive exploration of a subject, often incorporating extensive research, interviews, and a compelling storyline. This format allows journalists to engage readers on a deeper level by providing context, background, and a nuanced perspective, making it particularly effective for investigative work that seeks to uncover complex issues.
Storytelling: Storytelling is the art of conveying information and emotions through a narrative, engaging audiences by weaving facts, experiences, and characters into a cohesive tale. It goes beyond just presenting data, as it creates a connection with the audience, drawing them into the narrative to evoke feelings and stimulate thought. Effective storytelling helps illuminate important issues, making complex topics relatable and easier to understand.
Transparency: Transparency in journalism refers to the practice of being open, honest, and accountable in the reporting process, ensuring that audiences understand how information is gathered and presented. This principle fosters trust and credibility between journalists and the public, which is essential for effective communication and the role of the press in society.