Unit B - Business and Finance News Cycle

Question 1

Where is a good place to start when writing scene setters? When is this technique particularly useful?

Answer 1

Reminding your audience about what happened last time is a good place to start, along with a summary of what has happened in the year since then.

This technique is particularly useful when having to preview an event which is set to happen well into the future.

Question 2

What sort of background information should you look to include in a scene setter? Give examples.

Answer 2

• history of event/company
• how many people are employed
• sections of the public who benefitted or suffered from last year’s tax breaks/increases (Budget)
• how analysts have commentated on these changes over the last 12 months
• company history, growth, successes and crises
• interviews with ex-employees, union workers and supply chain firms when a forthcoming story means a lot to them

Question 3

What is a scene setter designed to do?

Answer 3

Give a reader everything they need to have knowledgeable anticipation of the upcoming event or announcement.

Question 4

What in particular is very useful to set the scene?

Answer 4

Past results, statistics and archive material.

Question 5

What makes a good preview? List the points.

Answer 5

• accurately researched statistics
• a thoughtful historical and contextual perspective
• profiles of the key people involved and well-crafted articles about personalities
• local interest or human interest issues which are central to the event.