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Conducting Interviews

It’s All About the Story. Conducting Interviews. The Question. The Question . Was it a good question? Zeleny’s response. Why a good question?. Knows his source well and understands his style. Wants the best information from the source – seventh-inning stretch

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Conducting Interviews

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  1. It’s All About the Story Conducting Interviews

  2. The Question

  3. The Question • Was it a good question? • Zeleny’s response

  4. Why a good question? • Knows his source well and understands his style. • Wants the best information from the source – seventh-inning stretch • Source wasn’t prepared to answer such a question – so he gives a more interesting, less canned answer.

  5. Why a good question? • Thinks hard about the question • Considers the context – when in the news conference and different than usual “news of the day” questions.

  6. Why a good question? • Reporter didn’t care about the repercussions. • “You can’t worry about whether you’ll be criticized.” • “The job of journalist isn’t to write for an inside audience but to write for a broader audience.”

  7. The best five interviewing tips • Be prepared • Know your source • Be empathetic • Listen, listen, listen • Check your ego at the door

  8. Be Prepared • Spend time developing questions. • Make a list so your thoughts are organized and to remind you to get the answers you want. • “How do you know that?” is a question reporters don’t ask enough.

  9. Be prepared -- developing questions • Warm up with a few basic “get-to-know-you” type questions so the interviewee feels comfortable. • Ask the subject to tell the story from the beginning. The source will be less likely to leave out details; the reporter can more easily spot holes.

  10. Be prepared -- developing questions • At the end of the interview, ask an open-ended question like, “Is there anything else you would like to say?” or “Is there anything else I should know?” • Tell the source you may need to call them back for clarification; ask for a number you can reach them after hours.

  11. Know your source • Read “everything” you can about the person and the issue • Do pre-interviews with others who know about the person or the issue

  12. Know your source:Not all are created equal • Sophisticated v. unsophisticated • Hostile v. vulnerable • Be aware of what approaches work best with each person.

  13. Be empathetic • Try to think like your source. • Put yourself in his or her shoes. • Be genuine – earn their trust. • Put them at ease.

  14. Listen • Work hard at really listening. • Listen closely so you can catch discrepancies or ask follow-up questions. • Make and keep eye contact. Don’t bury your head in your notebook. • Rephrase their answers periodically to demonstrate you are paying attention – or say something like “I see” or “I understand.”

  15. Check your ego at the door • Be humble. It’s not about you – it’s about the person being interviewed – and you getting the most and best information from him or her. • Don’t worry about impressing them or seeming dumb in their eyes. • Don’t be afraid to say you don’t understand.

  16. Check your ego at the door • “Never be afraid to ask what looks like a trivial question.” – Jeff Zeleny. Sometimes those elicit the best information. • Difference between a trivial question and one that demonstrates you haven’t done your homework.

  17. Final thoughts: • When scheduling an interview, identify yourself by name. Say you are a student writing for NewsNetNebraska; be sure the person knows the story will be published online. • If you are taping this interview, be sure to get their permission.

  18. Final thoughts: • Be sure you have an extra pen or pencil, along with a notebook. • Make sure you arrive on time.

  19. Final thoughts: : • Double-check dates and spelling of names. Even a name like Smith can be spelled differently. • Make note of the surroundings, body language and clothing to add color to your story.

  20. Final thoughts: • Immediately after an interview, review and supplement your notes. • Type up notes, if possible. Highlight potential good quotes. • Don’t be afraid to double-check unclear information, even if you must make a follow-up call.

  21. Final thoughts: • Even if you are taping, take lots of notes. • Don’t rely on tape alone. • 9-11 profile • Portraits of Grief project

  22. Your assignment • Interview your partner so that you can write a 200-word profile that will be published on NewsNetNebraska. • Profiles due to your Dropbox folder by midnight Tuesday, Aug. 30. • NNN Profile example

  23. More info • Interviewing tips -- The New York Times • Extended interview with Jeff Zeleny

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