This is really good, Susan. I'd add only that there's a difference between the facts and your perceptions of the facts, and you want to notice both (and to understand how your facts and your perceptions of facts differ from your *opinions*). A mistake I often made as a young reporter was being so hell-bent on finding facts (and so overconfident of my opinions) that I paid too little attention to my perceptions. Many student journalists I've taught have had a similar problem. To all of them I'd say: If you don't know the difference between a fact, an opinion, and a perception, try to get a handle on it as soon as you can. It will help you throughout your entire career.