Questions & Interviews

Questions & Interviews What you should know

Types of Questions 6 Basic

The Basic Questions There are six basic questions You know them 5W’s + H

Who • Who is involved? • Who does/did the situation affect? • Who said so?

What • What is happening? • What did happen? • What are the consequences? • What is different about this? • What are the choices?

When • When did or will this happen? • When was this discovered?

Where • Where did or will this happen? • Where is someone?

Why • Why did this happen or will it happen?

How • How did it or will it happen? • How much does it cost? • How many people does this affect? • How do you feel about this?

Write your own Write three questions on different sticky notes. Think about how much information each question will get. Place the question under the correct “sticky” sign. You are going to interview a student on Homecoming.

Write your own Write three questions on different sticky notes. Think about how much information each question will get. Place the question under the correct “sticky” sign. You are going to interview a teacher on a new course they are teaching.

Write your own Write three questions on different sticky notes. State who you are asking Think about how much information each question will get. Place the question under the correct “sticky” sign. You are going to interview an administrator on the changes to the school budget.

Write your own • Which questions were written the most often? • Which questions will gather the most information?

Remember:

Question Basics Things to be aware

Questions to AvoidClose-ended Questions • These can be answered with a single word or a short phrase. • They’re often yes/no questions. • Limit the information obtained • Use only to verify what is already known

Best questions to ask EVEROpen-ended • These questions will always give you the best answers. • These are questions that cannot be simply answered yes or no. • This forces the respondent to give you better, longer answers.

Follow-up Questions Ask questions like: How long have you been playing (insert sport here)? What has been the hardest (easiest) part of playing so long (short)? What other sports do you play? Where have you played? (could be music, sports, video games) What is the most interesting place you have played? What was your hardest (easiest) homework assignment or project? Why was it hard (easy)? How did you overcome the difficult part? What was your final grade on the homework / project? Remember to ask open-ended questions

Write your own Retrieve to your questions under the “stickies” sign. Now place the questions under the correct sign for open-ended or closed-ended questions.

Write your own • Which questions were written the most often? • Which questions will gather the most information?

Rewrite your own Rewrite your questions so they are all open-ended questions. Work with others at your table to craft questions into open-ended questions. When you are happy with your questions write them down on paper to turn into basket.

Table Questions As a table work together to craft one of each question (5W’s+H) in open-ended form. When you have written down your table’s questions place them under the appropriate 5W’s + H sign. Ask an administrator about budget cuts

Basic Question Strategies Things to always do

Questions to always ask when interviewing • Name & it’s spelling • Age, Class standing (if appropriate) • Title / Position • Address (in real world) • How to get a hold of them for follow-up (phone number, e-mail) • 5 W’s & H of situation

Basic Questioning Strategies • Meet the respondent: icebreaker conversation • Ask first serious question • Proceed to the heart of the interview • Ask "bomb" question if necessary • Bomb questions are those that are potentially sensitive or embarrassing. • Recovery from bomb question • Conclude interview

Optional General Questions: • Hobbies • Sports • Likes/dislikes • Musical interests • Find out interesting fact that others don’t know • Make person interesting, someone others want to read about

The Interview What to do How to act

Interviewing 1 Prepare Define a purpose of the interview Research story (person) background Look in the morgue Check the library Ask other sources (consult family, friends, co-workers) Make a list of questions (based on research) and plan your strategy Set up an interview with appropriate person and to their advantage Dress appropriately Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing 2 During the interview Be on time! Be polite Listen non-judgmentally Ask open-ended questions Take notes using their phrases and words Make the person feel relaxed Ask for clarification Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing 3 During the interview Double check Spelling of Names Places unusual items & terms Figures Facts Titles Rephrase questions to receive better answers Use tape recorder for controversial items, but do not become dependent on it. Verify quotations if not using tape recorder. Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing 4 During the interview Be careful with off-the-record comments. Try to avoid them, but sometimes they can lead to questions in another interview. Listen to the responses. Your ability to ask good follow-up questions will usually determine how good your interview will be. Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing 5 Ending and after the interview Ask if there is anything they would like to add Look over your notes for any additional questions & clarification. Go over all quotes with the respondent to check for accuracy Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview: G

Interviewing 6 Ending and after the interview Obtain all the information you think you will need before concluding the interview, but be sure to ask if you can contact your respondent again if necessary. Ask for phone number in case you need further clarification, but do not promise to let subject check story. Thank the interviewee for his/her time. Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing 7 After the interview Write story immediately after interview (within hour) Double check facts (call source if needed) Good reporters always do the following before, during, and after an interview:

Interviewing Problems From Rob Milton

Common Interviewing Problems 1 Failure to define and state the purpose of the interview. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 2 Lack of preparation. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 3 Failure to probe behind the answers. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 4 Vagueness Lack of concrete details. A word or phrase is said to be vague if its meaning is not clear in context. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 5 Carelessness in appearance. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 6 Going into the interview with a preconceived notion versus… Not listening to respondent is saying Not doing background preparation. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 7 Convoluted or over-defined questions. Instead ask precise, probing questions. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 8 Insensitivity What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 9 Failure to listen. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 10 Laziness — the “what’s new” What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 11 Filibustering This is when you talk too much, and the experiences of the reporter, not the respondent, predominate. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 12 Aimlessness Keep the interview on track. What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Common Interviewing Problems 13 Too many abstract instead of concrete questions. Ideas or concepts with no physical reference. Don’t try to “get inside their head.” What are some of the problems beginning reporters — and even experienced reporters, at times — have?

Final Tips Thing to remember

Questions & Interviews