Mastering the Art of Interviewing: Techniques, Guidelines, and Attribution

1. JRN 2201Reporting Dr. Steven Padgett Hall School of Journalism and Communication Troy University Class Notes II

2. Interviewing. . . • I learned about interviewing because of this man Pierre Antoine Finck. • He retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. • He graduated from the University of Geneva and the University of Tennessee’s Medical School.

3. Interviewing . . . • This is the next stop on the way to learning about interviewing.

4. Interviewing . . . • Meet Capt. Chris Devalla, SP4 John DeDakis and Herb Glover

5. Interviewing . . . • Here is the other player in my “learn how to interview” class.

6. Interviewing . . . • How does these element fit together? • My mistake • What I learned

7. Interviewing . . . • Let’s talk about interviewing. . .

8. KINDS OF INTERVIEWS • Personal: Good quotes, accurate description, insight into issues/ individuals • Telephone: Problem – Can’t see interviewee, can’t describe him/her, can’t establish rapport. Work on phone manners, verbal reinforcement • Group: Better than no interview at all. Everyone may want to answer, or answers may be tainted. Code notebook, ascertain quotes, voice record, arrange to make contact later

9. KINDS OF INTERVIEWS Electronic: If unable to reach source other ways. Written list of questions. Be professional. Write like a business letter. Links to your published work. Use subject heading. • Disad – can’t establish rapport, source can ignore or be unresponsive to your questions, no opportunity for clarification or elaboration

10. INTERVIEW GUIDELINE • Asking for …Many people are wary of the press. Explain quickly and clearly who you are, why you want the interview, how much time will you need. Ask for enough time to complete the interview. Allow more time in your schedule in case interview goes beyond. Remember no one (but govt.) owes you an interview. But interviewee can benefit too.

11. INTERVIEW GUIDELINE • When and Where … Delays in scheduling interviews are common. Use common friend. Will not want to offend. See you as reliable. If reluctant, find out what’s bothering. Correct it if possible. Ex: send story sample. Plan location • How to Dress … Appropriate to interview • How to Research … Find/ Verify information • Observe the office … look for something to talk about.

12. INTERVIEW GUIDELINE • How to Present Yourself … make friends. First four minutes sets tone for rest. Sizing you up. • Body language (friendly head nod, threatening blank stare, lazy slouch, alert posture) • Voice/ word choice: Soften voice, good grammar

13. INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES • Be interested in your subject • Smile while you talk and listen • Use interviewee’s name correctly • Be a good listener • Talk in terms of the other person’s interests and with the other person’s terminology • Make interviewee feel important, pay attention

14. CONDUCTING INTERVIEW • Open-Ended: Allows respondent broad range in answer. If question is unfocused, answer is useless • Closed Question: Asks for a more narrow reply • Probe Question: Asks for amplification of an unresponsive or incomplete answer • Mirror Question: By repeating part of the answer, forces respondent to amplify answer. Gives you time to finish writing original answer. Slows down respondent. Clarify quote

15. CONDUCTING INTERVIEW • Yes/ No Question: Mostly useless for reporters • Leading Question: Considered unethical • Loaded Question: Designed to antagonize an interviewee, is equally manipulative • Hypothetical Query: Allows interviewee to think about and comment on coming development

16. GLOVER’S TIPS • Writer’s personality sets tone for interview • Keep your ego out of the interview • Listen: don’t keep talking • Listen to what your subject is saying because you may surprised. • Don’t interrupt if answer is not going way you want, unless you don’t have time, must end

17. GLOVER’S TIPS • Assume nothing. For example, spelling, title • Don’t be ashamed to say: “I don’t understand” • Ask difficult questions at end, easy ones first • Don’t be afraid of silence as this works in your favor • Ask for a business card

18. ATTRIBUTION GUIDELINE • On-the-record: All statements are directly quotable and attributable by name and title to the person who is making the statement. • On background: All statements are directly quotable, but they cannot be attributed by name or specific title to the person commenting.

19. ATTRIBUTION GUIDELINE • Deep Background: Anything that is said in the interview is usable, but not in direct quotation and not for attribution. • Off-The-Record: Worst category. Where you promise not to reveal either information or source. Some subjects demand to see story. You want to stay away from this.

20. ATTRIBUTION GUIDELINE • Guidance: Information given as guidance is to help reporters with the status or timing of an event. The information is considered to be similar to “on background” statements.

21. WRITING THE STORY • Nothing says it better than “said.” • Make sure you use attribution, especially when saying controversial things. • Good quotes don’t say the expected. • In general, a line of text as you write your story will take up MORE lines when place in newspaper columns.

22. GATHERING MATERIAL • Note-Taking Tips: even if you are a careful listener, will miss 50% of what speaker says. Use correct tools: good pad, some shorthand. Be inconspicuous as possible. • Tape-recorder technique: use good one. Small. Recording indicator. Check working. Counter cues to locate specific segments. Warning signal if out of memory or tape. Also take notes if recording on phone, obey state law

23. GATHERING MATERIAL • Fixing Quotes: What do you do when you encounter poor grammar, off-color remarks or inaccuracies? Should that go into the story? • Grammar: depends on person/ language/story (commercial fur trapper or high school teacher?). • Off-color: leave it out. Leave out inaccurate if you can’t go back to source

24. GATHERING MATERIAL • Description: Keen observation. Sometimes participation. Physical descriptions can be risky. Can also be described by other people. Style of language can provide description. Mental processes (through extensive interviews). How he responds to situations too. • Closing the Session: if no time, explain time has been up and you have another appointment. Say you may have questions, contact later

25. Tips • Act naturally • Be prepared • Have questions ready. • Be ready to ask questions not prepared for • Appointments/ spontaneous • Look up/ take notes • Spell names/ pronounce names correctly

26. Tips • Double-check dates • Start with easy questions first • Ask open-ended questions later • Restrict yes/ no questions • Don’t argue over answers • Do not promise first draft • Ask for a follow-up phone call/email • Look around you (book shelves)

27. Tips • Observe non-verbals • Check some statements with other sources

28. Sample questions • What’s so important about … ? • How does this (…) affect …? • What effect does this (…) have on …? • How do you feel about …? • What was the most important/ defining moment of your life? • How would you complete the following sentence …?

29. More questions . . . • What are/have been your goals …? • What obstacles have you faced/ overcome? • What are your greatest accomplishments? • Have the interviewee go back to …

30. Important questions • Can you explain that to me? • How do you feel about …? • Can you be more specific? • Please explain that in layman’s terms • Have I missed anything? • Is there anything you would like to add? • Can you please repeat that?

31. Additional questions? • Are there any questions?

32. There will be more next time! The End