Warwick Public Schools Senior Project 2014
Completing an Interview
(Can only be used for Investigation or Event Planning Pathways)
If you choose the Investigation or Event Planning pathway, you have the option of obtaining a mentor or
completing an interview via the Warwick Public Schools First Class email system. If you choose a mentor, see
page 11, otherwise you are required to complete the following interview protocol. The interview is an
opportunity for you to gain knowledge and guidance from an expert as you work toward your final product.
While this protocol is in lieu of a mentorship, getting expert feedback is critical to a successful senior project.
This interview is a tremendous opportunity to learn from the best in the field, which makes this interview a
powerful tool and the chance to get a much deeper understanding of your topic.
Your responsibilities:
1. Find an appropriate expert to interview.
2. Ensure that your interviewee knows specifically what your topic is; you should cut and paste the body of
your approved proposal letter to your interviewee (exclude your home address).
3. Develop and ask solid questions.
4. Be sure to ask clarifying questions.
5. Save and print all correspondence.
Warwick Public Schools Senior Project 2014
Class of 2014 Interview Process
One of the required components of the Investigation or Event Planning Pathways when not using a mentor is an
interview with an expert in the field of your topic. This interview is an opportunity for you to gain knowledge
and guidance as you work toward your final product.
Because you are responsible for conducting this interview, you are required to:
 Find an appropriate expert to interview
 Ensure that your interviewee knows specifically what your topic is; you should cut and paste the body of
your approved proposal letter to your interviewee (exclude your home address)
 Develop and ask solid questions
 Be sure to ask clarifying questions
 Save and print all correspondence
*This interview is a tremendous opportunity to learn from the best in the field, which makes this interview a
powerful tool and the chance to get a much deeper understanding of your topic.
Procedure for the Interview
The most difficult part of the process is finding someone to interview. Remember that first impressions are
crucial, so your initial email must be carefully constructed. To accomplish the necessary steps in the interview
process, be sure to follow the requirements listed below:
 Minimum Email Requirements:
 Introductory Email (Introduce yourself, where you go to school, state the purpose of your email and your
topic, and ask if he/she is willing to be your interviewee )
 Sample introductory email: “Hello, Mr. Smith. My name is Jane Doe, and I am a senior at Toll Gate
High School. I am emailing you to ask for your help with my senior project. My topic is elementary
education and the impact of differentiated instruction on the learning process. I know I would benefit
from some first-hand information and would appreciate the opportunity to email you some questions
regarding my topic. Would you be willing to allow me to interview you via email on my topic? Thank
you for your time!”
 Introductory response from Interviewee
 Interview questions (There are four required questions and at least one student-generated question)
1. What is the most important thing you think I should know about my topic? Why?
2. What is it about this topic that you are most passionate about and why?
3. The focus for my research is (identify what your research paper involved). What expertise can
you add to that focus?
4. My product is (identify your product). What advice do you have for completing my product?
5. Self-created question(s) (Note: This question is generated by you. At least one question is
required.)
6. Follow up questions may be necessary to complete the interview process and/or the product
 Interview answers
 Thank you Email (See guidelines)
 All exchanges with your interviewee must be made via Warwick Public Schools (WPS) First Class
Email.
 Evidence of all email exchanges must be printed and placed into the senior project binder Note: In
cases where exchanges exceed 10, see your GBP coordinator for guidance about what to place into the
binder.