How to Conduct
an Interview
PLANNING
Spontaneous interviews, except in connection with breaking news, seldom
contribute to thoroughness.
 Consider your interview options.
 Identify which person or persons will give you the best insight into or
most interesting angle on the story you are reporting.
 If you are interviewing several sources for one story, interview your
primary source last. You will be better prepared for this interview
because of what you have learned during earlier interviews.
PREPARATION
Do as much research in advance on the person to be interviewed and on
the topic(s) to be discussed.
 Prepare your questions in advance and bring them to the interview.
 Make sure you know the CORRECT SPELLING of the person’s
NAME and TITLE.
THE INTERVIEW
Most interviews should be friendly and informal.
 Introduce yourself and your camera person.
 Briefly explain the topic(s) you want to discuss.
 Before you begin to shoot any video, ask the person if they are ready
to begin.
 Once you start the interview, keep your questions as short as
possible, but ONLY ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS.
 Avoid questions that have short answers like, “Do you enjoy Youth
and Government?” Instead ask, “What do you enjoy most about
Youth and Government?”
 Before ending the interview, ask the person if there is anything else
they would like to say on the topic. If they have nothing more to add,
thank them and say good-bye.