Dilapidated purple quiet Diligently pursuing Quixote

1. Dilapidated purple quietDiligently pursuing Quixote

2. DPQ

5. “I learned that I shouldn’t have joined the Army. They basically teach you to kill and that’s it. I wish I had went to school...”

6. “The whole island was still covered with bones from WWII. You could still smell the dead after five years...”

7. “Politics just about ruined me...”

8. “I was at the beach with some people swimming during some time off, and all of a sudden there were snipers shooting at us...”

9. Interviewing... cont.

10. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter

11. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter • Interviewing is a social skill: friendly but aggressive; polite but probing; sympathetic but skeptical

12. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter • Interviewing is a social skill: friendly but aggressive; polite but probing; sympathetic but skeptical • In person interview

13. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter • Interviewing is a social skill: friendly but aggressive; polite but probing; sympathetic but skeptical • In person interview • Phoner

14. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter • Interviewing is a social skill: friendly but aggressive; polite but probing; sympathetic but skeptical • In person interview • Phoner • Email

15. Interviewing • It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter • Interviewing is a social skill: friendly but aggressive; polite but probing; sympathetic but skeptical • In person interview • Phoner • Email • Scrum (lots of people on one interviewee)

17. ‘I did about 80 interviews each.” Be prepared. Be there

18. Setting up the interview • Homework

19. Setting up the interview • Homework • Who are the sources and the best way to reach them: live, phoner or email?

20. Setting up the interview • Homework • Who are the sources and the best way to reach them: live, phoner or email? • Ask if photos are allowed if needed

21. Setting up the interview • Homework • Who are the sources and the best way to reach them: live, phoner or email? • Ask if photos are allowed if needed • Sometimes your greatest challenge is getting source to agree to interview: if they think you’re biased or have to something to hide, they will hide!

22. Prep for interview • Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc.

23. Prep for interview • Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc. • Write out questions or topics: Barbara Walters writes out up to 500 questions on index cards!

24. Prep for interview • Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc. • Write out questions or topics: Barbara Walters writes out up to 500 questions on index cards! • Dress appropriately for interview

25. During interview • If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed

26. During interview • If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed • You’re in charge

27. During interview • If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed • You’re in charge • Start with basics

28. During interview • If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed • You’re in charge • Start with basics • Keep questions simple, rather than multi-faceted

29. During interview • If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed • You’re in charge • Start with basics • Keep questions simple, rather than multi-faceted • Ask open-ended questions! Avoid those that can be answered “yes” or “no”... unless you’re trying to pin them down: “Do you support the death penalty?”

30. During interview, deux • Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear

31. Same questions • Are you in favor of the tax increase? • Do you support more money for education?

32. Same questions • Are you in favor of the tax increase? • Do you support more money for education? • What is your company’s position on the union’s demand for higher wages? • Do you think a family of four can get ahead in today’s economy on $22,400 a year?

33. “A lot of my reporting comes from asking the same question three different ways...”

34. During interview, deux • Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear • Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that?

35. During interview, deux • Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear • Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that? • Be flexible, follow the twists and turns

36. During interview, deux • Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear • Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that? • Be flexible, follow the twists and turns • Note the “color” facts

37. “Don’t just ask questions. Be an observer.”

38. Famous journo fails...

41. During interview, deux • Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear • Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that? • Be flexible, follow the twists and turns • Note the “color” facts • Be sure questions get answered, especially with politicians

42. Afterwards • Ask who else to contact

43. Afterwards • Ask who else to contact • Ask if you can call back later for more questions

44. Afterwards • Ask who else to contact • Ask if you can call back later for more questions • Thank your source

45. Afterwards • Ask who else to contact • Ask if you can call back later for more questions • Thank your source • Review your notes soon to be sure it’s all clear

46. On, off the record, on background • Different sets of ground rules for interviews

47. On, off the record, on background • Different sets of ground rules for interviews • The vast majority of interviews are “on the record”: everything is for publication

48. On, off the record, on background • Different sets of ground rules for interviews • The vast majority of interviews are “on the record”: everything is for publication • “Off the record”: information can’t be printed or used in any form

49. On, off the record, on background • Different sets of ground rules for interviews • The vast majority of interviews are “on the record”: everything is for publication • “Off the record”: information can’t be printed or used in any form • “On background”: can use stuff, but no attributi0n

50. On, off the record, on background • Different sets of ground rules for interviews • The vast majority of interviews are “on the record”: everything is for publication • “Off the record”: information can’t be printed or used in any form • “On background”: can use stuff, but no attributi0n • Make sure you and source agree on rules!