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Interviewing
How to make or break your story
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Do your research

Research the subject – find out as much background as you
can

Gather a list of sources both primary and secondary

Think about options – do you need to take a photographer
with you?

Start formulating questions – have at least 10
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Formulating the questions


Begin with questions the source can answer quickly

Name – ask them to spell it out even if it is John Doe

How long have you been doing…

How did you get involved…
Stay away from questions that yield one word answers


Questions that begin with Do, Will, Are, Can, will result in one
word answers
Formulate questions this way

Tell me about…

How would you…

If you could…what would you do (say)…
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Questions

Ask meaningful questions that will result in a story being told

If the source is not giving a good answer, push them a bit by
asking “how and why”, “can you expand on that thought?”,
“tell me more about that”
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The interview

Schedule in advance and give yourself enough time

Get comfortable. Talk casually. You are having a
conversation!

Listen! Be non-judgemental and don’t insert your opinion if
they give you an answer you don’t agree with. You are
relaying a story, not creating a story

Interview with your eyes. You come with a list of questions,
but the surroundings also tell a story. What is around the
source defines the source.

Watch mannerisms, clothing choices, tidyness of the room
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The interview

Don’t be afraid to ask the person to clarify a statement.
Repeat what you thought they said

When concluding the interview, review your notes quickly
and ask any clarifying questions.

Ask, is there anything you would like to add that I may not
have covered?

Be on time and end on time

Don’t believe everything a source tells you. Check for
accuracy with other sources.
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The Interview

Ask if you can contact them if you have more questions and
ask if email or phone is acceptable

Email interviews are good in a pinch, but you will lose the
flavor of the person if you rely on this too much.

Don’t promise a source they can review the story before it
goes to print.

Get both sides to the story

If you are going to record the interview, you must ask
permission

Make sure your equipment works. Test it first
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Reasons why an interview fails

No appointment

Dressed inappropriately

Questions were superficial and weak

You did not bring a writing utensils

You did not ask follow up questions

You went to the interview with preconceived notions

You didn’t truly listen

You were not friendly

You talked too much

You used too much informal language/slang
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Homework

Choose a person to interview. You will be doing a personality
profile


Email a list of 10 questions to me before Tuesday’s class
Page 101 in The Radical Write

Read chapter 8