A. Information
One of the most universally used tools for information gathering,
analysis, organization and presentation is the 5W1H framework. This
method is used across a range of professions, from process analysts to
quality engineers to journalists, to understand and explain virtually
any problem or issue. The same method can be used to organize the
writing of reports, articles, white papers, and even whole books.
B. The Basic Approach
This approach seeks to answer six basic questions in gathering
information about nearly any subject: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and
How. Sometimes, depending on the context, a second “H” might be used:
How Much. In journalism, news story writing requires that the questions
to be answered take a basic form:
1. Who is it about?
2. What is it about?
3. When did it happen?
4. Where did it happen?
5. Why did it happen?
6. How did it happen?
Applying
the 5W1H framework to other types of writing or investigation takes
some interpretation. The order in which the answers to the questions is
presented may vary, but the “what” is usually addressed first.
- What
In journalism, the “what” identifies an event and is often
stated in the “lead (or lede),” the first paragraph of a news story. The
“what” is the primary subject, the reason the information is being
gathered and presented. Apart from journalism, it may be stated in a
title and in a purpose statement. The “what” may need to be defined, a
process that may comprise the remainder of a document. Example :
What, specifically,…?
- Who
A news story identifies who an event involves. The “who” may be part of
the lede, and could be the reason the story is news worthy. In other
contexts, the “who” identifies the persons or groups the “what”
concerns. It might describe the audience of a document, or those who are
affected by a policy, process or procedure. Example : Who benefits?
- When
A key part of a news story is describing when an event happened.
Answering the “when” indicates any time sensitivity related to the
“what.” It may be part of an instruction regarding the proper point at
which a action should be taken. Sometimes it may be part of an “If…then”
scenario of conditional action. Example : When will it start/end?
- Where
A news story reports the location at which an event took place. The
“where” describes a geographical or physical location of importance to
the “what.” At times, the where may be less important than other
factors. Example : Where are you?
- Why
The “why” is usually the most neglected of the questions in the
framework. News stories often lack information from authoritative
sources to explain the “why.” In other contexts, the “why” may be
considered irrelevant, particularly when describing a policy or
procedure decreed by an organizational authority. Efforts to ascertain
and explain the “why” may help those affected be more accepting of any
change the “what” requires. Example : Why does that happen?
- How
For journalists, determining how an event took place may be nearly as
challenging as explaining the “why,” although more effort is usually put
to satisfying the question. When describing policies, processes or
procedures, the how may be the most important part of the effort. A
considerable appetite for understanding how to do something can be found
across audiences. Sometimes effort focuses on the “what” when more work
should be devoted to explaining the “how.” Example : How much?
Conclusion:
The
5W1H framework can be applied to any topic at any level of granularity
to gather, analyze and present information from the simplest to the most
complex. Attributed to a Rudyard Kipling poem, 5W1H is the place to
start and may be enough to take you to the finish.
2. Yes/No Question
Definition: An interrogative construction that expects an answer of “yes” or “no.” Contrast with wh- question.
Examples and Observations:
Homer: Are you an angel?
Moe : Yes, Homer. All us angels wear Farrah slacks.
(The Simpsons)
“Directing
a movie is a very overrated job, we all know it. You just have to say
‘yes’ or ‘no.’ What else do you do? Nothing. ‘Maestro, should this be
red?’ Yes. ‘Green?’ No. ‘More extras?’ Yes. ‘More lipstick?’ No. Yes.
No. Yes. No. That’s directing.” (Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur in Nine,
2009).
Principal McGee: Are you just going to stand there all day?
Sonny: No ma’am. I mean, yes ma’am. I mean, no ma’am.
Principal McGee: Well, which is it?
Sonny: Um, no ma’am.
(Eve Arden and Michael Tucci in Grease, 1978)
The yes-no question is found in three varieties: the inverted
question, the typical exemplar of this kind; the inverted question
offering an alternative (which may require more than a simple yes or no
for an answer); and the tag question:
Are you going? (inversion)
Are you staying or going? (inversion with alternative)
You’re going, aren’t you? (tag)
3. Tag Questions
in a tag question, the speaker makes a statement, but is not completely
certain of the truth, so he or she uses a tag question to verify the
previous statement. Sentences using tag questions should have the main
clause separated from the tag by a comma. The sentence will always end a
question mark.Example:
1. There are only twenty-eight days in February, aren’t there?
2. It’s raining now, isn’t it?
3. The boys don’t have class tomorrow, do they?
4. You and i talked with the professor yesterday, didn’t we?
5. Jill and Joe have been to Mexico, haven’t they?