2. Interviewing is the one of the most basic - and
often the most intimidating - tasks in journalism.
Some journalists are naturals in that area and
some never get comfortable with the idea of asking
strangers nosy question.
3. The good news is that basic interviewing skills
can be learned.
Here are some tips.
4. Which works better when interviewing a source,
taking notes the old-fashioned way or using a cassette
or digital voice recorder? Both have their pros and
cons.
5. A reporter's notebook and while recorders enable you
a pen or pencil are the to get literally everything
easy-to-use, time-honored someone says, word-for-
tools of the interviewing word. Which works better?
trade, It depends on what kind of
story you're doing.
6. Just as there are many different kinds of news
stories, there are many different kinds of
interviews.
It's Important to fInd the rIght approach, or tone,
dependIng on the nature of the IntervIew. so what kInd
of tone should be used In dIfferent IntervIewIng
sItuatIons?
7. T he conversational and
easygoing approach is best
when you're doing a classic
man-on-the-street
interview. A verage people
are often nervous when
approached by a reporter.
8. But an all-business tone is effective when you're
interviewing people who are accustomed to
dealing with reporters.
9. Many beginning reporters complain
that with a notepad and pen they can
never take down everything a source
says in an interview, and they worry
about writing fast enough in order to
get quotes exactly right.
10.
11. So you’ve done a long
interview with a
source,
you have pages of notes,
and you’re ready to
write.
But chances are you’ll
only be able to fit a
few quotes from that
lengthy interview into
your article.
12. WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU USE?
Reporters often talk about using only “good”
quotes for their stories, but what does this
mean?
Broadly speaking, a good quote is when
someone says something interesting, and says it in
an interesting way.
13. If you decided what to use in your interview
and how to use it then here are some details
you might want to check up on before you go…
1. Af ter determining who you want to talk with,
consider what information you want to get. It may
even be a good idea to jot down a list star ting with,
"I want to find out . . . ."
14. 2. Contact the person you wish to talk with far
enough in advance that he or she has time to get
ready, but not so far in advance that their
schedules are not yet developed. When you
make an appointment, you need to
introduce yourself and tell what capacity
you are calling in, explain the purpose of
your call, explain why you would like to
talk with the person, and request
permission to set a time and place. If you
will be recording the interview, ask permission to
do so ahead of time.
15. 3. Prepare for the interview by finding out about
the person you will be interviewing and by
preparing questions to ask.
16. 4. If you want witness-type information, a few
open-ended questions which invite the person
to tell her story. Be ready with follow up
questions like, "Could you tell me more about
that?"
17. 5. If you want expert opinion, create more pointed
questions, questions that suggest particular
issues you would like to explore.
Questions still need to be open ended, something like, "I
would very much like to know what your analysis is of so and
so." Be willing to let the person drift off to a neighboring topic,
because she may know more about the lay of the argument
than you do, and she may be giving you information you really
wanted and didn't know how to ask for. Reser ve
a ver y
general question for the end,
something like, "Have other things
occurred to you during the inter view
that you would like to say at this time?"
18. 6. If you want facts, make your questions as precise as possible,
making it clear that you're after data.
It is important that the person you are interviewing know ahead of
time that he or she will be asked such questions, because
people seldom carry that kind of data around in their heads.
Reserve a general question for the end.
19. 7.When it is time for the
interview, be punctual--not
early, and certainly not late.
20. 8. Be forthcoming when you meet, introducing yourself and briefly
reminding the person why you wanted to talk. If you are unsure about
how to spell the person's name, ask about that and about their official
title.
21. 9. If you will be taping the interview, ask
permission to do so.
22. 10. As you ask the questions and listen to the
responses, look at the person's face and eyes to show
that you are interested and that you value what you're
getting. From time to time make brief notes, but don't
bury yourself in notetaking.
23. 11. Try to get some direct quotes, saying
something like, "I like the way you said that. Can I
quote you?" And then get the words down in
quotation marks.
12. Reserve a general question for the end.
24. 13. Briefly summarize what you have covered and how you
understand the information you have been given.
25. 14.Don't linger. If you
promised to take only 30
minutes, then stick to
your schedule, but don't
be rude. Say something
like, "I promised to take
only 30 minutes of your
time, and I see I have. Is
there any last thing you
want to add before I go?"
26. You might also say something like, "This has
been very informative. If some other question
occurs to me, may I get back in touch with
you?"
27. W h e n y o u le a v e , s p e n d t im e
im m e d ia t e ly w r it in g d o w n
n o te s . M a k e s u r e yo u h a v e
t h e d a t e a n d p la c e o f t h e
in t e r v ie w .
