+

Interviewing

How to make or break your story

+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

+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)…

+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”

+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

+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.

+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

+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

+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