--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Read like a detective and write like a…" description: "\"Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter.\" — David Coleman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg" --- # Read like a detective and write like a conscientious… ![“Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter.” quote by David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg) > “Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter.” [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing should be investigative, gathering clues like a detective and presenting them responsibly. **In simple terms:** Write like a detective, report responsibly. Key Takeaway Adopt investigative rigor in writing. Themes writing investigation journalism Mood inspirational practical Type educational motivational When to use this quote - news articles - research papers - documentary scripts - feature writing Key Concepts critical thinking storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance thoroughness with narrative flow? - What investigative techniques enhance credibility? A Different Perspective Investigative depth can slow production and limit creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Detectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detectives/) [Reporters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reporters/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think like a detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-think-like-a-detective/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you think about it, the historian's task is like that of the detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-herbert-donald/if-you-think-about-it-the-historian-s-task-is-like-that-of-the/) [David Herbert Donald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-herbert-donald/) > [I don’t think I would ever want to be a writer of detective stories - but I would like to be a detective and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lavin/i-don-t-think-i-would-ever-want-to-be-a-writer-of-detective-stories/) Mary Lavin > [As an investigative reporter, I'm trying to uncover things and expose them to create a dialogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/as-an-investigative-reporter-i-m-trying-to-uncover-things-and-expose/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [As someone who has spent a lot of her career as an investigative reporter, I'll confess that a frustration of mine has always been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/as-someone-who-has-spent-a-lot-of-her-career-as-an-investigative/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [If an investigative reporter finds out that someone has been robbing the store, that may be 'gotcha' journalism, but it's also good journalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bradlee/if-an-investigative-reporter-finds-out-that-someone-has-been-robbing/) [Ben Bradlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bradlee/) > [I’ve been an investigative reporter for a long time, and almost always, the government says that \[‘you can’t publish that because of the national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-risen/i-ve-been-an-investigative-reporter-for-a-long-time-and-almost-always/) [James Risen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-risen/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I want to be the greatest investigative reporter of my generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/i-want-to-be-the-greatest-investigative-reporter-of-my-generation/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [I think as an investigative reporter I had tough standards, but I don't think of myself as a tough person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/i-think-as-an-investigative-reporter-i-had-tough-standards-but-i-don/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [You get to crack the code of the play. You get to really pick at it and see, 'What is the story that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillipa-soo/you-get-to-crack-the-code-of-the-play-you-get-to-really-pick-at-it/) [Phillipa Soo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillipa-soo/) > [It's no secret - I love detective fiction. One of the reasons I love being in London is because I like to watch all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/it-s-no-secret-i-love-detective-fiction-one-of-the-reasons-i-love/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Now I pass up about twenty-five or thirty thousand of honest gain because I like being a detective, like the work. And liking work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/now-i-pass-up-about-twenty-five-or-thirty-thousand-of-honest-gain/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [“I'd like to give these detective story writers a course of routine work. They'd soon learn how most things are untraceable and nobody ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/i-d-like-to-give-these-detective-story-writers-a-course-of-routine/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [“Be like a detective. See what’s going on around you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/be-like-a-detective-see-what-s-going-on-around-you/) [Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/) ## More by David Coleman > [And with alphabetical irony Nigeria follows New Zealand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/and-with-alphabetical-irony-nigeria-follows-new-zealand/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [Kevin Reeves...proving an ill wind blows nobody no good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/kevin-reeves-proving-an-ill-wind-blows-nobody-no-good/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [And now International Soccer Special, Manchester United v Southampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/and-now-international-soccer-special-manchester-united-v-southampton/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [The Republic-of-China - back in the Olympic Games for the first time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/the-republic-of-china-back-in-the-olympic-games-for-the-first-time/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [“And here's Moses Kiptanui - the 19 year old Kenyan, who turned 20 a few weeks ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/and-here-s-moses-kiptanui-the-19-year-old-kenyan-who-turned-20-a-few/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [Forest have now lost six matches without winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/forest-have-now-lost-six-matches-without-winning/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [We estimate, and this isn't an estimation, that Greta Waitz is 80 seconds behind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/we-estimate-and-this-isn-t-an-estimation-that-greta-waitz-is-80/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [In a moment, we hope to see the pole vault over the satellite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/in-a-moment-we-hope-to-see-the-pole-vault-over-the-satellite/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [Ingrid Kristiansen then has smashed the world record, running the 5000 metres in 14:58.89. Truly amazing. Incidentally, this is a personal best for Ingrid Kristiansen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/ingrid-kristiansen-then-has-smashed-the-world-record-running-the-5000/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [Don't tell those coming in the final result of that fantastic match, but let's just have another look at Italy's winning goalo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/don-t-tell-those-coming-in-the-final-result-of-that-fantastic-match/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [There is no such thing as doing the nuts and bolts of reading in Kindergarten through 5th grade without coherently developing knowledge in science,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/there-is-no-such-thing-as-doing-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-reading-in/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [In fact that's Swindon's first win of any kind in nine matches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/in-fact-that-s-swindon-s-first-win-of-any-kind-in-nine-matches/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [There's going to be a real ding dong when the bell goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/there-s-going-to-be-a-real-ding-dong-when-the-bell-goes/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [On this 101st FA Cup Final day, there are just two teams left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/on-this-101st-fa-cup-final-day-there-are-just-two-teams-left/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [That's the fastest time ever run - but it's not as fast as the world record](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/that-s-the-fastest-time-ever-run-but-it-s-not-as-fast-as-the-world/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) [Explore all 37 David Coleman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Coleman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-conscientious-investigative/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-conscientious-investigative/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/david-coleman-17402_books_read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-c_2492530.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Read like a detective and write like a conscientious investigative reporter.” — David Coleman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Coleman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Read like a detective and write...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-conscientious-investigative/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/read-like-a-detective-and-write-like-a-conscientious-investigative/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```