Conducting an Oral History Interview By Marianne Bates
Conducting an Oral History Interview By Marianne Bates May 2009 internetmarketinginc. com
What is oral history? �Interview a living person �Find someone who lived through an interesting historical event or time period �Ask questions �Gather information and memories �Record their answers http: //static. howstuffworks. com http: //johnstoncoarts. files. wordpress. com blogs. artvoice. com
Choose someone to interview: �Grandparents �Other family member �Neighbor �Family friend �An acquaintance from Boy Scouts, church, or a civic organization bibledude. net
Select a method of interviewing: �Face to face �Video �Tape recording/ MP 3 �Letter or email �Telephone call microsoft. com
Research background information: �Need background knowledge to ask good questions �Use a variety of sources �Pioneer Library �Internet sources �Albion library sources (use subject search) �Document sources �Take notes
Create a list of questions: �Background Information (3 -4) �General questions about the time period (3 - 4) �Specific questions about the person’s experiences (5 -6) �Follow-up questions as needed �Ask them to tell stories �Do not interrupt or correct what they say blogs. sun. com
Prepare for the interview: �Notebook �Pens or pencils �Tape recorder, video recorder, MP-3 player �Background info—jog your memory �Questions �Water � www. indianwww. is plc 2006. orga. edu
Carry out the interview: �Arrive early �Set up equipment �Test equipment �Choose a room without outside noise or distractions �Provide a comfortable chair �Provide water and refreshments �Help the interviewee feel relaxed and at ease �Speak slowly, loudly and clearly �Start with easy questions g-images. amazon. com microsoft. com
Following up after the interview �Say thank you �Chat about what you learned together �Tell your interviewee what you will do with the interview �Label everything you have information on (video tape, cassette tape, notes, etc. ) �Make a transcription of your interview �Send one to the interviewee with a thank you letter 2. bp. blogspot. com
Ideas for Oral History Projects �The Great Depression �World War II �Korean War �Vietnam War �Cold War �Fall of the Berlin War �Refugees or Immigrants to the U. S. �Gulf War creativecapital. files. wordpress. com
Works Cited Powell, Kimberly. "Oral history step-by-step. " About. com: Genealogy. 2009. About. com. 25 Mar 2009 <http: //genealogy. about. com/od/oral_history/ss/oral _history. htm>.
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