Kate Long, Handy-Dandy Guide to Planning a Profile
(exerpted and adapted from The Art and Craft of Feature Writing by Bill Blundell)

"Stress action and reaction.... Without such reminders, the reporter may be seduced by an engaging and garrulous subject and produce an overly talkative piece in which little really happens." - B.Blundell

Directions: Brainstorm. Some questions will be more valuable than others. Consider them all. List as much as you know. This process will tell you where you need to report. List possible sources as you go along: personal, professional, friends, enemies, past, present. When you are finished, look at your pile of ideas. Choose details and directions to emphasize, subordinate, eliminate.

1. Gereral profile or microcosm? Did I choose this person because he/she is different or because he/she is typical of a larger group? (If microcosm, what is the larger group?) Elements of both?

2. History:

· How has the past shaped the nature of my subject? Childhood? Young adulthood? Education? Mentors? Tragedies and triumphs? Obstacles? Special privileges? ! What experiences were most formative?

· Specific incidents/developments that could be described in each category?

· List my subject's obstacles and pluses in life. How has he or she dealt with each? Incidents?

· Money: How has it affected my subject's history?

3. Qualities: Think about both general and microcosm questions for your subject.

· a.: General profile: If subject was chosen because he/she is different, what are his or her "different" qualities - personal, professional, other?

· What actions, behaviors, or incidents reveal these qualities?

· How has each quality affected my subject's fortunes and life?

· b. Microcosm: If you chose subject because he/she is typical, of what is he or she typical? What qualities does he/she possess that make her or him similar to others?

· What actions, behaviors,! or incidents reveal those qualities?

· What "typical" life experiences has my subject had that make him or her representative of many people? How can I make the connection with others in that group?

· How is my typical subject not typical of that group? What details might show this?

4. Values and Standards:

· What are my subject's strongest beliefs? How do these beliefs shape her/his actions as he/she strives toward goals? Include lifestyle and spiritual goals.

· How are my subject's beliefs different/ similar to those held by others in the subject's position or group? In what ways and to what extent?

· Where did he or she acquire those standards, values, and goals? Think broadly. Mentors, influences, obstacles, successes.

5. Impact:

· How does my subject affect people around her/ him or other members of his/her class? Positive or negativ! e impacts? Both? Incidents that show this

· Who is affected by my subject? Directly? Indirectly? Think beyond your first reaction.

· How is he/she BEING AFFECTED by circumstances, those around him or her, friendly or unfriendly contemporaries? Positive or negative impact?

6. Countermoves:

· How are others reponding to your subject and his/her attitudes? Show this in specific incidents if possible.

· How does he/she repond to circumstances? To other relevant people? Members of his or her class? Again, show in action if possible.

7. Future:

· What does he or she think his/her future looks like?

· What do others think it looks like?

· What would he or she like to be doing in twenty years?

This worksheet should help you think about your subject in depth. Now, look at all your ideas and decide where you need to do more reporting. Decide what you want to emphasize, subordinate, eliminate.