Interviewing & Service Journalism

1. Interviewing & Service Journalism

2. Four Goals of Service Journalism • Attention • Comprehension • Retention • Action

3. Service Journalism Devices • Blurbs • Summary blurbs after headline before article begins • Subheads • Q&A Column • Repeat things in different way • Don't be afraid to say something in a box or graphic you said elsewhere • Think more visually • Stop using pictures and graphics that contain no useful information

4. Guidelines for Service Journalism • Save them time • Help them make, or save money • Address different levels of news interest • Address niche audiences more effectively • Become more personally useful • Become more immediately usable • Become more accessible • User-friendly • More visual and graphic • More engaging and interaction

5. The Interview Environment • Choose attire to fit environment • If the story is a profile or feature, it is usually best to get the source away from work • It is important to let source know how much time you will need and whether you expect to return for further information • Ask about tape recorder • Don’t sit right in front of those interviewed – it makes them uncomfortable

6. Conducting the Interview • Begin with a friendly opening • Leave all preconceptions and misconceptions at home. • Establish a rapport: share and care • Reporters who can show sources what they have in common have more success getting information • Sources who think you are sympathetic are more likely to volunteer information • If you think source might be skeptical about your knowledge of the field, ask a question that demonstrates your knowledge • Construct a logical series of questions to get the information you need • Close the interview in a friendly manner • Arrange a time to call and check parts or clear up questions

7. Question Tips • Write down a list of questions you want to ask • Phrasing of questions • Favor open-ended questions • Keep rephrasing the question until the source gives you an answer • If time allows, save your most controversial, embarrassing questions for later in the interview

8. Interview Tips • Maintain control • Avoid becoming the interviewee • Taking copious notes may interfere with your ability to interact • Before you leave, ask if there’s anything you forgot to ask

9. Listening Tips • Focus on the “hear” and now •  Be quiet • Be responsive • Just let source know you are paying attention •  Listen for what isn’t being said • Listen with your eyes • Use “the pause”

10. Note Taking Tips • Be prepared • Bring extra pens and pencils – In the rain, you’ll want a pencil • Concentrate • When you hear a good quote or the start of one, write rapidly. Then concentrate on what you have just heard and block out everything else until you have written the quote • Listen for a key word to introduce something special: today, that's why I am, therefore • Use key words • When you are not trying to get a direct quote, jot down key words to remind you of facts and statements • Develop a shorthand • Abbreviate as many words as possible

11. Note Taking Tips • Make eye contact • Practice taking notes without looking at your notebook •  Mark your margins or notebook covers • When you hear something that prompts another question in your mind, jot it in margin soon as you think of it • Use a symbol system • Put a star or some symbol next to information you think is important • Slow the pace