Interviewing

1. Interviewing

2. Interviewing • Conducting a successful interview is one of the most important skills a reporter possesses • Obtain background information first; then be CURIOUS • Interviews must be planned and arranged. Be prepared • Know before the interview the questions to which you need answers

3. How to interview • Interviews should be face-to-face when possible. • Telephone interviews are acceptable, especially on deadline. • Emailing a source is a last, but sometimes necessary, resort.

4. Types of questions • Open ended questions elicit comments, quotes and opinions. They are the what, why and how questions. Or perhaps a simple statement. “Tell me about…” • Close-ended questions seek specific information. Who did this? Where did it happen? When? Did you…? The answers are short and factual • Questions for color – senses, observations, anecdotes, details

5. Types of questions • Goal revealing questions: What are you trying to accomplish? What’s the purpose of your club? • Obstable revealing questions: What problems did you face? • Solution revealing questions: how did you handle the problem? What plans do you have for resolving the conflict? • Start revealing questions: When did the program begin? Whose idea was this? • How & why after the questions?

6. Types of questions • Who, What, When, Where, Why & How • Numerical questions • Define a term in his own words • “Are you saying that….? • Chronology • Anecdotes – senses to remember a day, questions to pull anecdotes out of a person • How did you feel when….? • Expand: Restate an answer, ask for an example, define jargon

7. Interviewing tips • Be on time and dress for the interview • Start with broad questions to loosen up the source • Sources get defensive about manipulative questions • Always ask: • “How do you spell your name?" • "Is all the information on your business card (LinkedIn profile) correct?"

8. More tips • Don't create enemies. Make it clear to your sources that you are giving them a chance to share their side • Be sympathetic, not combative • “Hello, Mr. Smith. This is Joe Brown, reporter for the Eagle’s Eye. I’m on deadline with a story that you deserve to have a voice in.” Or: “I owe it to you to give you a chance to comment for this story.” • Ask the toughest questions last

9. The bomb • At the end of an interview, ask your toughest questions • Ask a devil’s advocate questions – Some people say that your football program is just using young athletes to raise big money for the school without allowing them to get a good education. What would you say to those critics?

10. During the interview • Get details and facts about the environment and the source – his/her appearance, demeanor, actions and reactions • When quoting someone, use “said.” Save “stated” and “according to” for documents • People cannot laugh and speak at the same time so don’t say someone “laughed” a quote

11. Listening tips • Focus on what the source is saying, not on your next question • Base your next question on what the source says. Converse • Politely guide your source back to the topic if the source rambles • Think on your feet. Listen for facts, quotes and substantiation

12. More listening tips • Make eye contact • If you don’t understand the source’s point, politely ask for explanation or example • Listen for what isn’t being said; then ask about it • Observe

13. Note-taking tips • A good story starts with good notes • Good writing cannot compensate for a lack of info • Spell names and titles correctly. Verify information. Put the date on notes • Make notes specific • More information is better than not enough • Bring extra pens or pencils

14. More on note-taking • Concentrate. Write fast. Block out everything while you write the quote • Use key words to remind you of facts • Develop a shorthand • Slow the interview by not asking another question until you finish writing • Ask the source to repeat information you missed

15. Still more on note-taking • Praise the source, especially if source seems nervous • Use asterisks for key points or quotes • Be open-minded. The story idea might change during the interview • Practice taking notes while standing up • Save your notes for a few weeks – then trash them • Don’t transcribe your notes

16. Use an audio recorder? • The case against: • Batteries fail • Intimidates source • Inhibits rapport • Tapes break • Machines fail • Prevents you from taking good notes • Recorders can’t observe • Must transcribe tapes when return to office

17. When to use an audio recorder • If you write for the Internet, you’ll have to have one to get a sound byte for the web site • Don’t shove it under the source’s nose • Introduce yourself. Chat with the source briefly. Make the source feel at ease • Ask for permission to use the recorder • Don’t record a telephone conversation without source’s approval • Don’t record a conversation when you are not a part of the conversation. It’s illegal

18. On and off the record • On the record means the information can be used and the source giving you the information can be quoted or the information can be attributed to the source • Attributing information to a source means the reader knows where the information came from • Once you identify yourself as a reporter, assume that everything is on the record and fair game.

19. More on and off the record • Not for attribution = the information can be used, but without attributing it to the source. Using anonymous sources. Dangerous. Be careful • Off the record = nothing the source says can be used in a story. Politicians and people who know how the media work use it to manipulate

20. Rules of on and off record • You are in charge • You decide whether to allow off-the-record comments (though you must get permission from the editor in chief) • Make sure the source knows the rules • It’s not off the record unless you agree • You may use info, and name the source, if the source tells you something, then after the fact says that it is off the record

21. End of the interview • Request documents • Ask if he/she has any final thoughts. Ask if there’s a question he expected but you didn’t answer • Ask if you can call back • Thank him; if you know when the story will run, tell him/her • Be alert for post-interview quotes • Divert any requests to see the article. It’s against policy.