Dear Steve:

In investigative report writing, the usual formula followed is the known
as "the five Ws and an H."  Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

If it can't answer those questions, it is not a good report.

Kind Regards

Roger Wulff

Steve Catoe wrote:
>
>         When I was in college one of my history professors called in a
> former police detective to speak to my historical research and writing
> class. He told us how writing a historical paper -- be it for
> publication or internal museum use -- is much like preparing a case
> for prosecution. Criminal cases and research papers both have to be
> unfailingly accurate and researched to the nth degree. Over the course
> of the semester he read everyone's research work, and more often than
> not took them apart like a defense attorney would. By the time he was
> through with me, I hated his guts -- but I've never written a better
> research paper.
>         I know it's pretty unusual, but if you can find a retired
> detective who is intersted in what you're doing, it will be woth your
> while.

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