Interviewing Techniques

1. Interviewing Techniques Journalism

2. Interview preparation • Do your homework: Learn all you can about the interviewee and the subject being discussed. • Research news clippings and documents—court records, campaign records, and other info to familiarize yourself with the topic. • Start with an interesting question.

3. Planning the Interview • Identify your goals. • Plan your questions. • Request the interview. • Dress appropriately.

4. Recording and Notes • Establish rapport with source, then open notebook to take notes. • If using a recorder, ask your source if that is okay. Smaller recorders are better—put into shirt pocket or where the source cannot see (after showing it to them).

5. Interviewing • A notebook or especially a tape recorder may hinder or source, or it may not. • As newspapers and magazines put more audio and video on their web sites, video tape or audio of the interview may be beneficial if possible.

6. Interviewing • Close-ended questions: elicit brief, specific answers that are factual. • Open-ended questions: elicit quotes, elaboration or longer responses. • Keep the questions brief so as to not confuse the source. • It’s okay to act dumb to get information you already know in the source’s words.

7. Interviewing • Ask the who, what, where, when, why and how, and then ask the “so what” factor—who is impacted and how? • Ask follow-up questions. • Control the interview. • Repeat questions. • Ask background questions. • Ask about developments.

8. Interviewing • Construct a chronology (if relevant). • Ask about pros and cons (if relevant). • Ask for definitions. • Verify. • Use the silent treatment.

9. Interviewing • Handle emotional questions with tact. • Ask summary questions. • End on a positive note.

10. Note-taking Tips • Be prepared. • Concentrate. • Use key words. • Develop a shorthand. • Slow the pace. • Request repetition. • Make eye contact.

11. Note-taking Tips • Mark your margins or notebook covers. • Verify vital information. • Double-check. • Be (relatively) open-minded. • Use a symbol system. • Save your notes. • Transcribe notes only for major stories.

12. Interviewing and the Law • It’s illegal to record a conversation you are not a part of (two other people talking) without their knowledge. • It may be illegal in your state to record a conversation you are having with someone else without them knowing.

13. Breaking the Ice • Start with small talk to break the ice. • Talk to them in a friendly tone. • It’s okay to bring a list of questions, but new questions will form as you conduct the interview.

14. Go for the details • “Questions unimportant to police add the color and detail that make a story human” –Edna Buchanan • Ask as many questions, even if they only seem remotely relevant to the story.

15. Interviewing • If sources are reluctant to answer a question, rephrase the question and ask again. • Avoid patronizing the source. • Don’t ask too many leading questions.

16. Interviewing • Use the “blame others” technique • “Some people would say…” • “How would you respond…”

17. Access • Public individuals are often obliged to speak to the media; private individuals are not.

18. Interviewing • Don’t let media-savvy sources spin your story.

19. Interviewing & Listening • Be a good listener and ask as many relevant questions possible. • Concentrate on the “hear” and now. • Practice conversational listening. • Practice critical listening. • Be quiet • Be responsive

20. Interviewing & Listening • Listen for what isn’t said. • Listen with your eyes. • Be polite. • Block out personal intrusions. • Develop listening curiosity.

21. Interviewing & Listening

22. Interviews: In-Person, Phone or E-mail • If an in-person interview is not possible, a phone interview is preferred. • As a last resort, an e-mail interview is available. • Advantages: don’t have to take notes, accurate quotes. • Disadvantages: prohibit spontaneity and good follow-up questions.

23. E-mail interviews • Limit the number of questions. • Clarify your purpose. • Verify full name and title • Limit follow-up e-mails • Attribute to e-mail

24. Phone interviews • Identify yourself • Icebreakers • Length of questions • Clarification and Verification • Specifics • Chronology

25. In-Class Exercise • Exercise: Interview the person next to you. • Ask them where they are from, what they want to do once they graduate. • Ask them about possible news stories ideas or interests. Ask who they would be interviewing for these topics. Ask what their focus would be. About half-page in length.