Quick Prompts: Journalism
Real-time AI assistance for interviews, press conferences, research, and reporting.
Journalism quick prompts are designed for reporters, correspondents, and media professionals conducting interviews, covering events, or gathering information for stories. Whether you're in a one-on-one interview, press briefing, or on-location coverage, these prompts help you ask better questions, verify information, and develop compelling narratives.
Each goal category supports a different aspect of journalistic work. Use "Interview Techniques" to improve your questioning, "Fact-Checking" to verify claims in real-time, and "Story Development" to shape your narrative as information emerges.
Goal: Interview Techniques
When this applies: You're conducting an interview or Q&A session and want to get the most valuable information from your subject. Good interviewing requires preparation, active listening, and knowing when to probe deeper.
Ideal settings: One-on-one interviews, press conferences, investigative reporting, profile pieces, any situation where you're extracting information from sources.
💡Follow-up questions
What it does: Generates 5 relevant follow-up questions based on what has been discussed, helping you dig deeper into the story.
When to use it:
Your subject said something interesting that deserves more exploration
You've covered the basics and need to go deeper
You want options for different directions the conversation could take
Time is limited and you need to prioritize what to ask next
Example scenario: You're interviewing a whistleblower about corporate misconduct. They've outlined the basic situation, but there are hints of deeper problems. You need questions that will encourage them to reveal more details without leading them.
What to expect: Five follow-up questions of varying approaches—some probing for details, others exploring implications, and some designed to elicit personal perspective or emotional depth.
💡Probing question
What it does: Suggests a single, incisive question designed to encourage deeper, more detailed responses from your interview subject.
When to use it:
Your subject is giving surface-level answers and you need more depth
There's clearly more to the story than what's being shared
You sense hesitation or evasion on a particular topic
The subject has expertise you want to tap more fully
Example scenario: The mayor said the budget cuts "won't affect essential services." That's a vague reassurance. You need a question that will force specificity—what exactly will be affected, what trade-offs were considered, who will feel the impact.
What to expect: A single, well-crafted question designed to push past general statements and elicit specific, substantive information.
💡Open-ended rephrasing
What it does: Rephrases your most recent question in a more open-ended way to encourage a fuller, less constrained response.
When to use it:
You asked a question that got a yes/no answer when you wanted more
Your question was too specific and may have limited the response
The subject seems to be answering narrowly to avoid fuller disclosure
You want to give them more room to share their perspective
Example scenario: You asked, "Did you know about the safety violations before the accident?" and got a terse "No." But you want to understand their knowledge, their role in safety oversight, and the broader context. You need to rephrase to invite a more expansive answer.
What to expect: A rephrased version of your recent question that's more open-ended, inviting broader reflection and more detailed responses.
💡Clarification
What it does: Suggests how to ask for clarification on a point that was unclear, incomplete, or potentially misleading.
When to use it:
Something the subject said doesn't quite make sense
Technical or specialized information needs to be explained for your audience
Numbers, dates, or facts were mentioned vaguely
You need to confirm you understood correctly before publishing
Example scenario: The CEO mentioned that layoffs would affect "a small percentage" of the workforce. You need a specific number, and you need to clarify whether that's company-wide or just certain divisions. Vague language in your story won't serve readers.
What to expect: A professional way to request specific clarification that ensures you get usable, accurate information for your story.
💡Priority questions
What it does: Identifies the most important questions you should still ask before the interview ends, based on what has and hasn't been covered.
When to use it:
Time is running out and you need to prioritize
The conversation has gone in unexpected directions and you've missed key topics
You want to make sure you have what you need for the story
Your editor will ask why certain things weren't addressed
Example scenario: You've been interviewing a scientist about a breakthrough discovery, and the conversation has been fascinating but tangential. You have 5 minutes left. What are the essential questions you must ask to have a complete story?
What to expect: A prioritized list of essential questions based on what's been covered, what's missing, and what's most important for a complete and balanced story.
Goal: Fact-Checking and Verification
When this applies: You need to verify information in real-time, identify potential inaccuracies, or assess the credibility of claims being made. Accuracy is the foundation of good journalism.
Ideal settings: Live coverage, press conferences, investigative interviews, any situation where claims are being made that need verification.
💡Fact check
What it does: Analyzes recent statements for potential factual errors, identifies claims that might be incorrect or misleading, and provides what verification is possible.
When to use it:
A subject made claims that sound questionable
Statistics or data were cited that you want to verify
You're covering a politician or public figure known for inaccurate statements
The story involves contested facts and you need to be careful
Example scenario: During a political interview, the candidate claimed that "crime is up 50% since the new policy." This is a specific, verifiable claim that could be wrong. You want to check it before the interview ends so you can follow up if necessary.
What to expect: An analysis of recent statements, identifying which claims might be inaccurate and providing available verification. The prompt will note when information might be outdated and recommend additional verification for important claims.
💡Identify inconsistencies
What it does: Reviews what has been said in the interview or event and flags any contradictions or inconsistencies in the subject's statements.
When to use it:
The subject seems to have contradicted themselves
Different parts of the story don't quite fit together
You want to identify areas to press on
You're preparing for a follow-up interview
Example scenario: Earlier in the interview, the executive said they had no knowledge of the problem. Later, they mentioned attending a meeting where it was discussed. You want to identify this and similar inconsistencies to probe further.
What to expect: Specific inconsistencies or contradictions identified from the conversation, with suggestions for how to raise them diplomatically.
💡Verification sources
What it does: Suggests credible sources or methods you could use to verify information or claims made during the interview or event.
When to use it:
Important claims were made that need independent verification
You're working on an investigative piece and need corroboration
The subject's account is the only source so far
You want to strengthen the story with additional confirmation
Example scenario: Your source claims they reported safety concerns to regulators three times with no response. You need to verify this independently. What records might exist? Who else might confirm this?
What to expect: Suggestions for types of sources, documents, or verification methods that could help confirm or refute key claims made in the interview.
💡Compare statements
What it does: Compares what was said in this interview with previous statements or reports, highlighting significant differences or developments.
When to use it:
The subject has spoken on this topic before
Their position or story may have changed
Previous coverage provides context you should reference
You want to identify whether new information has been revealed
Example scenario: The company spokesperson is giving different details about the incident than they did last week. You want to identify exactly what has changed and whether to confront them about the discrepancy.
What to expect: A comparison between current statements and what was previously said or reported, highlighting significant changes, contradictions, or new revelations.
💡Expert sources
What it does: Identifies types of experts who could provide additional context, commentary, or verification for the story you're developing.
When to use it:
The story involves technical or specialized topics
You need independent analysis of claims being made
The story would benefit from expert commentary
You want to balance the subject's perspective with outside voices
Example scenario: You're covering a story about a new medical treatment that the company claims is revolutionary. You need independent medical experts who can assess these claims objectively.
What to expect: Suggestions for types of experts who could add value to your story, along with ideas for finding them (academic institutions, professional organizations, etc.).
Goal: Story Development
When this applies: You're thinking about how to shape the information you're gathering into a compelling story. Good journalism isn't just about collecting facts—it's about telling them in a way that resonates with readers.
Ideal settings: Feature interviews, investigative pieces, profile stories, any reporting where narrative and angle matter.
💡Unique angle
What it does: Suggests a distinctive angle or approach to the story that could make your coverage stand out from other reporting on the same topic.
When to use it:
You're covering a story that others are also covering
You want your piece to offer something different
The obvious angle has been done already
Something in the interview suggests an unexplored dimension
Example scenario: You're covering a factory closure that's already been reported by other outlets. Everyone is focusing on job losses. But during your interviews, you've noticed hints of something else—maybe regulatory failures, or community organizing, or a longer economic story. What unique angle could you pursue?
What to expect: A suggested angle or approach based on the information gathered that could differentiate your story from standard coverage.
💡Human interest element
What it does: Identifies ways to make your story more personal and relatable by focusing on the human dimension of the issue.
When to use it:
Your story is heavy on policy or data but light on humanity
You need to help readers connect emotionally
The subject has shared personal details worth exploring
The story would benefit from concrete human examples
Example scenario: You're reporting on changes to healthcare policy. The policy details are important but abstract. How can you ground this in real human experience so readers understand what it means for actual people?
What to expect: Suggestions for incorporating human interest elements—specific people, personal stories, emotional dimensions—that could make your reporting more engaging.
💡Broader implications
What it does: Identifies the larger significance of the story—what it means beyond the immediate situation, how it connects to broader trends or issues.
When to use it:
You want to explain why readers should care
The story has significance beyond the local or immediate situation
You're looking for the "so what?" of your reporting
You want to connect this story to larger patterns or trends
Example scenario: You're covering a local company's decision to close its remote work program. This might be part of a larger trend. What are the broader implications for workers, cities, or the future of work?
What to expect: An analysis of the larger implications and connections, showing how this story relates to broader trends, issues, or debates that would interest a wider audience.
💡Quotable response
What it does: Suggests a question designed to elicit a concise, impactful quote that could work as a headline, pullquote, or key soundbite.
When to use it:
You need a strong quote for your story and haven't gotten one yet
The subject speaks well and could deliver something memorable
You're looking for a moment of clarity or emotion
Your editor will want a compelling pullquote
Example scenario: Your interview has been informative but somewhat dry. You need a powerful quote that captures the essence of the story—something readers will remember. What question might elicit that kind of response?
What to expect: A question designed to prompt a concise, memorable response that could serve as a key quote for your story.
💡Relatable angle
What it does: Suggests ways to frame or present your story that make it more accessible and relevant to the average reader.
When to use it:
Your story involves complex or technical material
You need to connect specialized content to everyday life
The audience might not immediately see why they should care
You want to maximize reader engagement
Example scenario: You're covering a complex financial regulation story. Most readers won't understand the technical details. How can you frame this so people understand how it affects their lives, their money, their future?
What to expect: Suggestions for framing the story in terms readers can relate to, connecting abstract or technical content to everyday concerns and experiences.
Goal: Clarity and Context
When this applies: You need to ensure your story will be clear and complete for readers, with appropriate context and explanation of complex elements.
Ideal settings: Technical or specialized stories, fast-moving news situations, any reporting where readers need background to understand the significance.
💡Explain jargon
What it does: Identifies technical terms, jargon, or specialized vocabulary used in the interview that may need explanation for your audience.
When to use it:
Your subject uses specialized language
You're writing for a general audience but covering a technical topic
You want to ensure accessibility without losing accuracy
Terms were used that even you needed to look up
Example scenario: The cybersecurity expert you interviewed used terms like "zero-day exploit," "lateral movement," and "supply chain attack." Your general audience won't know what these mean. You need clear explanations to include in your story.
What to expect: Clear, accessible explanations of technical terms used in the interview, ready to be incorporated into your story or used in a glossary.
💡Summarize key points
What it does: Provides a concise summary of the main information and key points from the interview or event coverage.
When to use it:
You need to brief an editor or colleague
You're organizing your thoughts before writing
A lot of ground was covered and you need to prioritize
You want to confirm you've captured the essential elements
Example scenario: You've just finished a two-hour interview with a complex subject matter expert. Before you leave, you want to make sure you've identified the key points that will form the backbone of your story.
What to expect: A structured summary of the main points, key revelations, and most important information from the interview or event.
💡Identify missing topics
What it does: Identifies important aspects of the story that haven't been addressed yet—gaps in your coverage that should be filled.
When to use it:
You want to make sure your reporting is comprehensive
The conversation went in unexpected directions
You're about to wrap up and want a completeness check
Your editor will ask tough questions about what wasn't covered
Example scenario: You're finishing an interview about a corporate scandal. You've covered the what and the who. But have you adequately addressed the why, the when, the systemic factors, the response? What's missing?
What to expect: Identification of important topics, perspectives, or questions that haven't been addressed, helping you ensure complete coverage.