How to Ask Good Interview Qs Intro Understanding

How to Ask Good Interview Q’s

Intro ● Understanding the purpose ○ Gathering information on a topic or profiling a person. (6) ● Interviews can uncover details of a story (7) ● Actively listen (7) ● Information isn’t always in the words (6) ○ ○ Note what a person is saying and isn’t saying. Be aware of facial expressions and body language.

Preparation/Research ● Prepare and prioritize questions and talking points ○ Actually write them down! ● Research as much background information as possible prior to the interview ○ ○ “From the man's past you learn what questions are likely to stimulate a response” - The New Yorker (6) Certain interviews may require more extensive research - i. e. academics (4) ● Before beginning any interview, it is important to state that you’re a journalist (or whatever you are) (4) ○ It’s ethical!

Asking softball questions ● A lot of people do NOT like to be interviewed ● Sometimes it’s in your best interest to give the person you’re interviewing a free hit (2) ● Softball questions are easy to answer and helps break the ice (2) ○ They get the interviewee comfortable answering questions or just speaking in general ● Softball questions help establish rapport between the two parties ○ Helps to develop a better relationship

Enduring long, awkward silences ● Don’t be afraid to let questions hang… (1) ● People HATE awkward silences… (1) ○ ○ They will talk to kill the awkwardness You want it to be awkward so they’ll talk more ● Allow several seconds to pass after the interviewee finishes an answer to start speaking again ○ They might give you more information than they would’ve if you rushed into the next question

Asking follow up questions ● When asking any questions, it’s important to let your questions be open-ended. (4) ○ Instead of “Did you have a happy childhood? ”, ask “How was your childhood? ” (4) ● If something your interviewee says sparks an interest, follow it up with a question targeting that interest. ● It’s important to not let follow-up questions derail the interview. ● If an interviewee sidesteps a question, rephrase the question and ask again. (4) Open-ended Question!

Conclusion! Other tips! ● When interviewing a private citizen, it is important to be mindful of information that may endanger someone. (4) ● Maintain Control! (5) ○ If the interview subject veers off course and rambles, politely steer them back to the information at hand! ● At the end of interviews, ask your subject if there’s anything important you hadn’t yet asked. (5)

References 1. Stuteville, Sarah. “ 13 Simple Journalist Techniques for Effective Interviews. ” Matador Network, 5 July 2017, matadornetwork. com/bnt/13 -simple-journalist-techniques-for-effective-interviews/. 2. Lawler, Jessica. “Phone Interview Tips: 5 Strategies for Freelance Writers. ” The Write Life, 27 Sept. 2019, thewritelife. com/conduct-better-phone-interviews-freelance-writers/ 3. Rogers, Tony. “Here Are the Basics You Need to Know About Doing News Interviews. ” Thought. Co, 27 June 2019, www. thoughtco. com/conducting-interviews-for-news-stories-2073868. 4. Resource, Journalist's. “Interviewing a Source: Tips. ” Journalist's Resource, 29 June 2017, https: //journalistsresource. org/tipsheets/reporting/interviewing-a-source/. 5. Rogers, Tony. “Here Are the Basics You Need to Know About Doing News Interviews. ” Thought. Co, 27 June 2019, https: //www. thoughtco. com/conducting-interviews-for-news-stories-2073868. 6. http: //www. columbia. edu/itc/journalism/isaacs/edit/Mencher. Intv 1. htmlhttp: //www. columbia. edu/itc/journalism/isaacs/edit/Menche r. Intv 1. html 7. Ingrahm, David. “Chapter 16: Interviewing Basics. ” The News Manual, Peter Henshall Estate, 2008, https: //www. thenewsmanual. net/Manuals%20 Volume%201/volume 1_16. htm