Deciding to write a better throw

Why are reporters always proclaiming their decision to do something?

‘James decided to find out’, ‘Angela decided to have a look for herself’, ‘Mike decided to investigate’.

This form of introduction script, which I am also guilty of using, is at best weak and at worst lazy.

When was the last time you told someone you did something because you decided to do it?

It is a very safe bet that if you’re telling a story about gumnuts that at some point, you consciously made a decision to tell that story.

The listener understands this basic logic and does not need it explained.

No, we must dig deeper for more meaningful throws.

Deciding to do something is not stakes. It feels like stakes, but it’s what comes next that is important. With a bit of extra thought, we can skip the ‘decided’ bit and add extra context that will genuinely tease what’s to come.

‘James wanted to find out because…’

‘Angela had a look to…’

‘Mike investigated so…’

And if you don’t have a reason, stakes or question then there are bigger questions you need to be asking about why you did the piece in the first place.

The ‘I decided to’ story intro throw is over. The decision is final.