Interviewing

1. Interviewing • Ms. Ridal

2. Before the Interview • Be prepared. Have a list of questions ready, at least 10. If interviewing a public figure, research that person. If you are seeking comment on an issue, research the issue. • Set up a time to interview that person, making sure it’s most convenient for him/her.

3. Behavior and appearance

4. appearance • Dress appropriately for your interview. You should not look like a slob, but you don’t always have to wear a suit. Think about the person you are interviewing. • Examples: If interviewing a student, jeans/khakis and a clean shirt probably are fine. If interviewing a public official, a skirt/slacks and blouse/dress shirt would be more appropriate.

5. Behavior • Arrive on time or slightly early. • Shake the person’s hand and introduce yourself. No fish handshakes! • Say that you are a student journalist and briefly explain the purpose of the interview. If you contacted them earlier, identify yourself again. • Don’t slouch, look at the floor, or constantly look at the clock. Don’t fidget or chew gum.

6. Behavior • If you’re nervous, act as if you are confident and prepared. Don’t speak too quickly. • Just remember to be aware of your body language and how that might affect your interviewee. • Pay attention to the interviewee’s body language. Maintain eye contact; make sure you look the person in the eye without staring.

7. Behavior • Be honest and sincere, but don’t be too revealing. • Don’t talk about yourself. Acknowledge the person, but don’t launch into a personal story to relate. • Be polite and attentive. Don’t be angry or defensive, even if your interviewee is.

8. The Questions

9. The Questions • Ask OPEN-ENDED questions, NOT questions that can be answered with a yes/no. • Write questions in a spiral notebook. Write the interviewee’s responses near the questions. Make sure your handwriting is legible! • Ask the person to spell his/her name. Write it in your notebook, along with his/her official title (grade level if a student) and SHOW the person, ensuring a proper spelling.

10. The Questions • Try not to ask “est” questions such as “What was your proudest moment?” Those questions can cut off conversation. • Sometimes you need stock questions. Try the following: • goals (What do you hope to accomplish?) • obstacles (What stands in your way of achieving those goals?) • solutions (How will you solve this problem?) • start (How did this all begin?)

11. The questions • If you don’t have much time for the interview, you may want to start with important questions first. • If you have time, start with easy questions to make the interviewee more comfortable.

12. Asking questions • Listen. Don’t interrupt your source. • Allow your source to think about your question and answer before you ask more questions. • If your source goes off on a tangent, redirect him/her with another question. • If you miss part of something they said, ask them to repeat what they said or ask them to clarify.

13. Taking notes • You may use a tape recorder, but always take notes in case the recorder fails. • Develop your own system of shorthand. Make sure you know when you will be using a quote -- which is what someone says VERBATIM. Use quote marks in your notes. • Material not destined for quotes might be paraphrased.

14. Post Interview • Quickly go back through your notes and ask for clarification on quotes or responses you’re unsure about. • Ask them if there’s anything else they’d like to add. Can they think of anything that would be helpful for your story? Are there others who would be available to interview for additional information?

15. Post interview • After your interview, type up your notes as soon as possible. Don’t let days or weeks pass, as you might forget things the person said. • When typing up your notes, place material in quotes as it would appear in the paper (more on quotable material later). • Also, place other material into your own words (more on paraphrasing later). • Also, if you have follow-up questions, the sooner you can contact the interviewee, the better.

16. Post interview • Consider sending an e-mail to the interviewee if you have follow-up questions. (This may work well if you set up the interview by sending an e-mail initially.) • In a follow-up e-mail, make sure that you remind them of who you are and tell them you have a few extra questions for them. Remind them of the scenario relating to the follow-up questions if necessary.

17. Words of caution • I don’t recommend doing an interview by e-mail unless it is the only option available. Why? • Don’t use comments by people that are “off the record.” Instead, use information they give you to find out more and find someone who is willing to comment publicly.

18. Questions?

19. Designing a spread • Your project for the next several class periods is to create a two-page spread. Use half a poster board to create your project. • The spread must include a typed written news or news feature story, pictures that you take, captions for those pictures, and a headline for your story. The topic is up to you.

20. Designing a spread • You will create a dummy sheet (a rough draft) of what your spread will look like, which counts as a classwork completion grade. Use the skills you learned from creating layouts this year. • You will also write a rough draft for your story that will count as a classwork completion grade. • If you would like you may bring in pictures before the due date for review and feedback.