There is another type of story, which differs from those already dealt
with, only in the fact that it “follows up” some detail or details of
a previous day’s story, and hence is known as a “follow-up” story.
If in the case of a robbery, the robber is caught on the second day,
that fact will very likely be featured in the story. On the first day
all the elements were given concerning the discovery of the robbery,
police investigation, amount taken, etc., and hence these will not now
be given in such detail. But a brief summary of them will be given in
the lead, so that readers who missed the first account will be able
to follow intelligently the details given in the present story. Even
in the case of a story which has received national attention, and has
been running in the papers for weeks, any new development in the affair
will be featured, but somewhere will also appear a short account of the
original story, even if it is no more than a clause tacked onto one of
the more important sentences. Otherwise the follow-up story differs in
no degree from other stories in the news-columns.
The art of developing follow-up features, however, is one of the
reporter’s most valuable gifts, it may be stated in passing, and
nowhere is it so important to have that “nose for news” of which
we hear so much talk. The best reporting is sometimes embodied in
these further developments which were not given in the original
story. Questions of WHO are involved in discovering the culprit of a
mysterious crime, just as the WHAT may develop into results and further
activities not anticipated at the first. In this same connection one
may obtain statements from authorities and prominent people as to the
meaning and significance of the occurrence, not generally realized.
WHERE may lead to news of the present whereabouts of offender,
victim, or loot. WHY or HOW may lead to the discovery of motive or
method which were unknown at the time of the first story. Thus, in
the first write-up of a fire, the extent of the conflagration would
be the feature. In a second story, perhaps the insurance, plans for
re-building, and a contemplated investigation would be featured,
whereas on the third day perhaps a suspicion of incendiarism would be
announced by the authorities, and on the fourth a suspect would be
arrested. These would all offer opportunities for follow-up stories,
each offering new features, and constituting practically a new story,
except for the fact that a brief review of the original facts of the
fire would be given in each story.