How to Conduct an Interview ?

1. Track down your subject. This could be as simple as walking next door and knocking or calling the office of a city official to ask for an interview. Famous people always have P.R. reps that set up their interviews; business people will often have their secretaries set up such appointments. 2. Identify yourself. And what is it you're writing about? You don't have to reveal potential scoops here, but be straightforward enough that the source can't later say you misled him. 3. If calling ahead, set a mutually acceptable time and place for the interview. If not meeting at the person's business, public places such as coffeehouses are best. If covering spot news, politely ask if the person can spare a few moments of his time to talk with you. 4. Ask the source if they wish to be quoted. If so, ask the source to spell his or her name. (Don't assume that "Smith" isn't spelled "Smyth.") PRINT this in your reporter's notebook, even if the rest of the interview is in scribbled shorthand. Spell the source's name back to him or her to make sure you got it right. 5. When asking a question, give the source room to breathe. Often you'll get your best quotes and information by not jumping to the next question, but letting the source carry on with his train of thought and expanding upon the question. 6. Don't be afraid to slow a source down. Better to ask the source to repeat himself than get the quote wrong. 7. Pick out the best quotes as you go. This is a learned skill. As you grow accustomed to interviewing people, your mind will pick out the noteworthy quotes, the key facts, the interesting details, and these are the things that will wind up in your notes. Remember, you might only use 10 percent of what a source says, or they might be the anchor for your story. You'll never know until you talk to them. 8. Referrals yield good stuff. Sometimes a source will tell you that he can't give you all the information that you need. Ask him who can. Get that name, get that number, get the information. 9. A bit of friendliness goes a long way. I think of one time when I knocked on a door near a crime scene, and the resident was very wary of talking to the press (as many involved in crime stories are, for fear of retribution). She let me as far as inside the front door. After I complimented her sofa, I was soon sitting on it, getting much more information from her than I could even use. 10. Be available for more. Sometimes sources will think of more later, and sometimes they have to cut interviews short. Always have business cards with your contact information. And be prepared to take a call or answer an e-mail at nearly any time. 11. Always say thank you. Your time is valuable, and so is theirs. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. 12. Fill in the blanks. You might take notes so quickly that it's good to sit in your car, or rush back to your desk, and rapidly fill in some of the shorthand so there is no question in your mind later when you sit down to write.. Before the InterviewReview your questionsCall again to confirm the interview time and placeAt the InterviewArrive on timeChoose a location that will have minimal noise and distractionsDon't interrupt of attempt to correct the person you are interviewingAfter the InterviewClean-up and leave things as you found themSend a thank you note Sample Interview QuestionsTell me about... or What do you remember about...- your early home life - the home you raised in - how it was heated and lighted - how you got water/when you got indoor plumbing - household chores- your memories of your parents - mother's work - father's work- how the family obtained food - from the farm/garden - from a general store (prices?)- how the family did laundry - first automatic washer - washboards/clotheslines/soaps- bathing/grooming - Saturday night bath - barbershops- your clothing as a child - long underwear/button shoes/hats - different from today's fashions?- school days - how you got to school - studies and homework - discipline- what you did for fun - favorite games or sports - favorite toys- family entertainment at home - musical instruments/favorite songs - radio programs- movie theatres - prices - favorite movies and film stars- family outings/vacations - amusement parks and swimming spots - holidays/community celebrations - picnics/camping - road trips- transportation - horse and buggy/wagon - first automobile/specific make, model, color - street cars and trolleys - trains/ships- excursions to the "city" - favorite department stores/five and dime stores - favorite restaurants- your dating, courtship, and marriage - favorite dating/dancing spots - popular music/dances- World War I - relatives who fought - patriotic events- life during the Roaring Twenties/Depression- World War II - where were you for Pearl Harbor/D-Day? - effect on your family- other historical people and events - sinking of the Titanic - assassination of JFK/Martin Luther King- changes that have occurred during your lifetime - technology - roles of men and women - family lifeMore personal questions about the person's life should be asked only if your objective calls for it (as in a family history) and after a comfortable interviewing relationship has been established. Such questions might include: 1. your most important achievements 2. your biggest disappointments 3. what you wish you had learned before it was too late 4. what values and principles you consider most important 5. what advice you would give to future generations. TIP: Try to anticipate when you're coming to the end of a tape. If a tape ends in the middle of an answer, change the tape immediately, then repeat the question so that the answer can be re-recorded in its entirety.Equipment Checklisto interview questions o pencils o notebook paper o audio tape recorder o audio tapes o video camcorder o video tapes o tripod (if using camcorder) o extension cord o three-hole electrical adapter o batteries o address of interview location o ________________________ o ________________________ o ________________________ o ________________________ o ________________________ On to Step 4 - Preserving the Interview »