In-depth reporting requires you to be persistent, focused, and proactive. Bob discusses the value of giving your case the time it deserves and getting out in the field to verify what you've learned from your research.

5. How to Approach In-Depth Reporting

How to Approach In-Depth Reporting

When I was 16, 17, and 18 in high school, being raised in Wheaton, Illinois, which is this town outside of Chicago where Wheaton College is, Billy Graham went there. 

It's a very sanctimonious atmosphere, couldn't buy or sell liquor, the people who went to Wheaton College had to sign pledges-- no dancing, no card playing. 

And working as the janitor in my father's law firm, I would go in at night to clean up toilets, ashtrays, and looked at papers on my father's desk and some of his partners' desks, and said, wait, oh, this is kind of interesting. 

Oh, this case involves one of my classmates in high school. 

Then I would follow the paper trail up to the attic where they had the disposed files, and discovered that the father, or an uncle, or somebody was involved in a dispute that was kept secret, sexual assault, physical assault, horrendous IRS cases, all kinds of business fraud. 

And so I became somewhat obsessed with looking at the disposed files, and you see the lack of correlation between what's in those real documented court and police files, from the way people present themselves in town. 

And it was a lesson that things aren't as they appear, and that you need to find the disposed files if you want a fuller version of what the reality is. 

I guess I can't emphasize this enough, the roadblock often is you, that you're not creative enough, that you're not determined enough. 

In reporting, you need to focus. 

You need to say, this is the story I'm working on. 

This is what I'm trying to get to. 

This is what I'm trying to understand, what I'm trying to unravel, gather information, to find documents, get people to talk, try to verify, try to see if there are other sides to the issue, and then have the experiences and go there yourself. 

Show energy, curiosity, as I say, work extra hard. 

Work two hours, maybe four hours extra than the eight hours that's in the normal workday. 

Instead of going to bed or watching television make 3 calls, or whatever to people at home, or go see people. 

And then do it aggressively. 

Don't sit by and be passive. 

One of the things we did with reporters at one point at The Post, we had a little sign that we pasted in the top of their computer, it was FAA. 

And that's not Federal Aviation Administration, it means focus, act aggressively. 

Building a case is the process of gathering the interviews, the documents, the witnesses for the story, and that takes time. 

It's so much about time against the problem and exploring all avenues. 

So what you do is you immerse yourself completely in it. 

I think that's the core value that a reporter brings. 

And I think people understand that, and they want facts. 

And in the case of Nixon, if you look at two years, two months of coverage, it was step by step. 

There were dramatic moments, but it wasn't all done in a tweet. 

It wasn't done in one day. 

It wasn't done by one reporter, or a group of r...

Teaches Investigative Journalism

Bob Woodward

Meet your new instructor: Bob Woodward. In this chapter, Bob underscores the vital role of journalism today. He also shares his belief that there are no boundaries to searching for what he calls "the best obtainable version of the truth."

1. Introduction

Introduction

Bob's guiding principles push you to get outside your comfort zone, carve your own path, and leave opinion and political slant out of your reporting.

2. Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles

Bob explains what makes a compelling news story. He urges you to be open to changing course if a better story materializes.

3. Finding the Story

Finding the Story

Bob and a group of students from his Yale journalism seminar take a deep dive into his interview with then–presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

4. Students Dig Into Woodward's Interview With Trump

Students Dig Into Woodward's Interview With Trump

Watergate was a pivotal moment in Bob's career. In this chapter, he shares the lessons he learned from reporting on this groundbreaking historical event.

6. The Reporting Challenges of Watergate

The Reporting Challenges of Watergate

Bob teaches you the importance of documentation—both acquiring documents for your reporting, and documenting your own research. He offers multiple ways to find written evidence to build your story.

7. Hunting Down the Documents

Hunting Down the Documents

Bob explains why sources decide to share information with journalists and teaches you how to assess who to talk to when investigating a story.

8. Finding Sources

Finding Sources

From establishing ground rules to strategically sharing what you already know, Bob teaches what to keep in mind as you initiate contact with sources for a story.

9. Developing Sources

Developing Sources

Bob reveals how he developed his relationship with Mark Felt, the source who became known as "Deep Throat" during the Watergate scandal.

10. How Watergate's Mark Felt Became Deep Throat

How Watergate's Mark Felt Became Deep Throat

Learning how to build trust with sources is one of the most valuable lessons you can learn as a reporter. Here, Bob breaks down his approach—from expediting intimacy to maintaining your boundaries.

11. Building Trust With Sources

Building Trust With Sources

As a reporter, the more sources you have in your arsenal, the better your chances of unearthing valuable information. Bob shares ways to expand the scope of people who will talk to you.

12. Growing Your Roster of Sources

Growing Your Roster of Sources

Bob and a group of students from his Yale journalism seminar analyze his interview with President Barack Obama about his decisions in war.

13. Students Critique Woodward's Interview With Obama

Students Critique Woodward's Interview With Obama

Developing a relationship with a source over time can be one of the most productive endeavors a reporter can take on. Here, Bob shares how he managed to build a relationship with then–CIA director Bill Casey.

14. Penetrating the CIA - Building a Relationship With Bill Casey

Penetrating the CIA - Building a Relationship With Bill Casey

There are several important steps you should take before formally interviewing a source. From determining the best location to meet, to deciding whether to send the questions ahead of time, Bob walks you through how to prepare for your interview.

15. Preparing for the Interview

Preparing for the Interview

Interviewing is one the most important parts of a reporter's job. Here, Bob details the best practices to follow as you question a source.

16. Conducting the Interview

Conducting the Interview

Many challenges can arise when you are interviewing someone to uncover the truth. Bob provides insight into how to push through interview obstacles, from withstanding hostility to addressing deception.

17. Navigating Interview Challenges

Navigating Interview Challenges

From the surprising value of rejection to the importance of honest communication, Bob reveals what he's learned from the many accomplished editors he's worked with over the years, including renowned Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee.

18. Lessons From Editors

Lessons From Editors

Using examples from his own reporting, Bob discusses some common pitfalls reporters run into when developing their theory of the case.

19. Developing the Theory of the Case

Developing the Theory of the Case

After all your investigative work and research, ultimately you have to write your story. Here, Bob shares strategies for turning what you've uncovered into a compelling piece of journalism.

20. Writing the Story

Writing the Story

From deciding what details to include to evaluating word choice, Bob provides advice on how to fine-tune your news story once your initial draft is complete.

21. Polishing the Story

Polishing the Story

Bob explains his approach to reporting on secrets—particularly information that involves the public's safety, national security, and government intelligence.

22. Publishing Secrets

Publishing Secrets

Bob shares the valuable lessons he has learned from mistakes he’s made during his long career as a journalist.

23. Learning From Mistakes

Learning From Mistakes

Bob discusses how the internet has transformed the landscape of journalism. He encourages reporters to continue fighting to uncover the truth—even in the face of attacks on the media.

24. The State of Journalism

The State of Journalism

Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism

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How to Approach In-Depth Reporting

About the Instructor

Bob Woodward

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