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The First Peril: Fabrication
THE LEGEND ON THE LICENSE REVISITED
By Chip Scanlan

Chip Scanlan’s article, “The First Peril: Fabrication; The Legend on the License Revisited” discussed the problems journalist face when writing new stories each and every day.

Scanlan stated that journalist now must write with techniques that were once reserved only for literature – plot, characters, and dialogue.  Because of this, reporters and journalists alike are faced with challenges of being original, but still reporting the news without making it all up.

When writing an article, one must write from memory but also use one’s notes to avoid fiction writing.  A reporter must be able to prove the facts within his story and to attribute quotes to the right people.

A narrative article is a fresh way to write a new story.  It also keeps the reader interested because it is similar to a fiction story, but it is based entirely on facts.  To write a proper narrative article, one must ask himself specific questions.  Scanlan and Bob Steele compiled this list of questions:

• How do I know that what I have presented really happened the way I say it did?
• Is it true? According to whom?
• Do I not only have the facts right but also the right facts?
• How complete is my reconstruction? Is it based on one source, two or several? Have I tested it against the memory of other participants?
• Have I sought independent verification from documentary sources, such as historical accounts or public records? For example, my source describes a "dark and stormy night." Did I call the National Weather Service and get the weather report for that date?
• Do I have a high level of confidence in my sources? Could I have been fooled by an unreliable source or a source with a faulty memory or an ax to grind?
• Is my purpose legitimate? Am I trying to convey the reality of an event for my readers or simply trying to entertain or impress people with my writing ability?
• Does lack of attribution -- a hallmark of reconstruction -- diminish credibility? Does a reconstruction need an editor's note to help readers understand how the story was reported and sourced?
• Am I willing and able to fully disclose and explain my method to my editor? To my readers?

Scanlan uses these questions as a guideline for good narrative writing.  He also uses specific examples of what can be considered plagiarism: bad note taking and bad paraphrasing.

However, the punishments for these offenses vary between the mild and the extreme. 

What pushes a journalist to plagiarize? What makes a journalist sacrifice his credibility and take someone else’s words?

Scanlan said, “There's a word for that: laziness.”

The easiest way to combat plagiarism is to “go back and check” the facts, the attributes, anything to make sure you are writing your own words. 

At the end of the article, Scanlan lists ways to avoid plagiarism.  This includes anything from time management, using textbooks, and giving credit where credit is due.