The art of the interview

A beginner’s guide to getting the most out of talking to strangers

The first interview?

Fear itself

Research your subject

Prepare a list of questions

Make an appointment

• Do this as early as possible

• Email is fine for an initial inquiry

• If no response; then call. If no answer, then visit her office.

The ethics of interviewing

Bringing back the story

• To record or not to record?

• What type of notebook should you bring?

• Do you need to know shorthand?

• Telephone interviews– Ease of typing– All the more reason to

be careful recording

Special considerations

Special considerations

• Direct quotes and indirect quotes

Special considerations

• Direct quotes and indirect quotes• Fragmentary quotes when necessary– He said he would “go ballistic” if city officials tried

to shut down his business.

Special considerations

• Direct quotes and indirect quotes• Fragmentary quotes when necessary– He said he would “go ballistic” if city officials tried

to shut down his business.• Off-the-record requests– Try to keep everything on the record– Ask what she means by “off the record”– How to handle ex post facto requests

The magic questions

• Is there anything I should have asked you but didn’t?

• Who else do you think should I talk to?