Tool #2: Interviewing
WCVM Writing Tools Workshop for Research Summer Students
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tool #2: Interviewing
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WHY SHOULD I CARE?
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To complete this summer’s writing assignment, you will need
to interview at least one person (your mentor or other team
member).
As part of your assignment, we’re asking you to take some
photos of your interview subject along with your story.
Interviewing skills are essential, lifelong tools.
Interviewing
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OUTLINE:
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Interview prep work.
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You have 30 minutes. Go!
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Can I get a few photos?
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Interview: done. Now what?
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How can I use these skills in
veterinary medicine?
Interview prep work.
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GOALS
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What’s your story angle?
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Who’s the best person to talk to for your story?
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What do you really want to find out from this person?
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Setting up an interview.
Interview prep work.
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QUESTIONS
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Background check: The value of Googling your subject.
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Draft a structured question list. Don’t opt for the random shuffle.
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Get to know your questions.
Interview prep work.
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THE PRACTICALITIES
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The ideal interview space.
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Using a digital recorder: Pros and cons.
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Writing notes while you interview: juggling skills.
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Bring the camera (along with extra batteries).
You have 30
minutes. Go!
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As an interviewer, you are
the director of a “weirdly
focused, slightly augmented
conversation.”
Thomas Hayden,
The Science Writers’
Handbook.
You have 30 minutes. Go!
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BEGINNING THE INTERVIEW
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Summarize the subject and scope of your assignment.
Double-check how much time you have.
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Bring out your question list, then ignore it.
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Start with some easy questions.
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Don’t forget to click on your digital recorder.
You have 30 minutes. Go!
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YOU’RE IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
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Keep the conversation as natural as you can. Be prepared to
coax your interviewee or rein him in.
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“Can you repeat that?” Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
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“Can you explain in lay terms?” Interview for your audience.
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Ask open-ended questions. Read your interviewee’s personality.
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Some silence is a good thing — don’t butt in.
You have 30 minutes. Go!
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THE HUNT FOR “BAZINGA” QUOTES
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Don’t be afraid to ask the “softie” questions.
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Asking questions that aren’t on your list? That’s okay!
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“Ask the questions you think you know the answers to as well as
the ones you don’t.” (The Science Writers’ Handbook).
Those last precious moments: “Is there anything else that you
want to add?”
Can I get
a few photos?
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Good photos . . .
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are well composed.
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are well exposed.
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evoke feelings.
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tell stories.
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say something about life.
Source: Photography.com, “Five elements of a great photograph,” by Nancy Hill. (U of S Visual
Guide)
Can I get a few photos?
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PHOTOGRAPHY CHECK LIST
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Use a simple background.
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Use your camera’s highest setting for photo resolution.
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Check your focus — and then check it again.
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Not enough light? Ditch the lab, go outdoors.
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People working with animals: take plenty of photos.
Interview: done.
Now what?
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Transcribe your interview’s key
points sooner than later.
Fill in the blanks in your
notebook.
Get out the yellow highlighter.
Use your interviewing notes to
begin building your story’s
structure.
How can I use
these skills?
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Never underestimate the power
of preparing questions.
Simple questions usually reap
the best information.
Good listeners pick up details
that often go unnoticed.
See the view from other
people’s eyes.
Questions are the basis for
good conversations as well
as good relationships.
Interviewing
exercise
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Pick a partner to interview.
Interview your partner about
his/her research project. Make
sure to take notes.
Your job: Uncover three
key points about your
interviewee’s project.
Find at least one key quote.
Questions?
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Photography
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Debra Marshall, Michael Raine, David
Stobbe, Christina Weese, Myrna
MacDonald.