![example of rough draft on soda example of rough draft on soda](https://s3.studylib.net/store/data/008040908_1-0e6355fe24575c837e105bf08fbc21c7.png)
This method helps me determine the most compelling, relevant and memorable quotes. Without looking at my notes, I insert notes about which quotes to transcribe from my interviews. I throw in a tentative heading, dek, subheads then write up a tentative narrative introduction/lede. Now I’m ready for my rough draft-a base paint on the canvas. I also enjoy ending my business feature with a short kicker quote summarizing the main emotion and intent behind the news, looping back to the person I started the piece with. This business profile I wrote on a Durham, North Carolina dentist who started a venture making healthy candy for kids follows this format. It makes sense (from a narrative standpoint) to explain up top what the business is, how it differentiates itself from its competitors, its key achievements etc., then loop back to chronologically explain how things got started. For business profiles I often use the hourglass format, even though it’s typically reserved for crime writing. Should I use the list format? The hourglass format? The news pyramid format? Because I write a lot on business trends, typically, I use a narrative lead, a two to three paragraph nut graph containing my core data and then I list the rest of the reporting by the pros and cons of the business trend I’m writing on, using subheads to break up the reporting and quotes. Next I analyze what structure works best to use for my business topic. In this step, I also read through my notes and carefully circle (or bold within the Word document) the core quotes I plan to use in my feature. instating a tax on sugary sodas in 2016, have I ensured I have one impartial expert, one health expert concerned with the damaging effects of soda on child obesity and one large and/or small retailer concerned with lost revenues from increasing soda prices? This analytical step (and sharing my strategy with my editor) helps me preempt whether any holes exist in my reporting before I start writing.
![example of rough draft on soda example of rough draft on soda](https://s2.studylib.net/store/data/015251184_1-c85b7e1d05df9f008eb65131a017c8ae.png)
So, if I’m writing on the growing number of cities in the U.S. Once I’ve completed my reporting, I organize my quotes in my mind, taking a little time to process the information and decide who’s my lead interview, who’s my supplementary interview and whether my reporting has covered all my bases. Step One: Organize your feature interviews This week’s blog offers the core steps on how to get the article in great shape (and within a few hours).
![example of rough draft on soda example of rough draft on soda](https://i1.wp.com/rockinresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Rough-Draft4-1.jpg)
But where to start? Organizing and creating good flow in your business features takes time and practice. You’ve gathered your data and interviews now it’s time to write and organize your business feature.