Your first interviews Taking great notes Taking great

Your first interviews

Taking great notes

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story �It all starts with a notebook

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story �It all starts with a notebook �Then your own system of note taking: shorthand, organization, pen, fact organization, etc.

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story �It all starts with a notebook �Then your own system of note taking: shorthand, organization, pen, fact organization, etc. �Learn to write while looking at subject

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story �It all starts with a notebook �Then your own system of note taking: shorthand, organization, pen, fact organization, etc. �Learn to write while looking at subject; talk about one thing and write about another;

Taking great notes �Without great notes, you can’t write a great story �It all starts with a notebook �Then your own system of note taking: shorthand, organization, pen, fact organization, etc. �Learn to write while looking at subject; talk about one thing and write about another; give yourself time to catch up

Notebook, recorder, computer? �Pros and cons of each

Notebook �You gotta have one, always

Wait a minute, this is 2011 and you want me to get a notebook? ? ?

Notebook �You gotta have one, always �Doesn’t fail, fits in back pocket or purse, blends in well

Notebook �You gotta have one, always �Doesn’t fail, fits in back pocket or purse, blends in well �It’s slow, only as good as your note-taking system

Recorder �Use sparingly

Recorder �Use sparingly �You get complete accuracy, have proof if challenged, can post on web

Recorder �Use sparingly �You get complete accuracy, have proof if challenged, can post on web �Causes subjects to clam up, can fail, painful to transcribe

Computer �Indispensible, but usually limited to newsroom or your desktop

Computer �Indispensible, but usually limited to newsroom or your desktop �Really fast, accurate, easy to organize, can do email questions

Computer �Indispensible, but usually limited to newsroom or your desktop �Really fast, accurate, easy to organize, can do email questions �Stuck in one place, noisy, can fail

Journalism fail. . .

JIMMY'S WORLD Janet Cooke, Washington Post Staff Writer September 28, 1980 Jimmy is 8 years old and a third-generation heroin addict, a precocious little boy with sandy hair, velvety brown eyes and needle marks freckling the babysmooth skin of his thin brown arms.

Interviewing �It’s a skill you’ve got to develop to be a great reporter

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

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

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

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

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)

Setting up the interview �Homework

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

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

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

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

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 �Dress appropriately for interview

During interview �If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed

During interview �If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed �You’re in charge

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

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

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. ”

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. ” �Be sure questions get answered, especially with politicians

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

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?

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

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

Afterwards �Ask who else to contact

Afterwards �Ask who else to contact �Ask if you can call back later for more questions

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

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

On, off the record, on background �Different sets of ground rules for interviews

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

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, 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 attributi 0 n

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 attributi 0 n �Make sure you and source agree on rules!

You’re going to break some news �Mrs. Bowers is coming to be interviewed

You’re going to break some news �Mrs. Bowers is coming to be interviewed �We want to know: what is the status of Meadowland by extension the status of Learning & Families co-op school

You’re going to break some news �Mrs. Bowers is coming to be interviewed �We want to know: what is the status of Meadowland by extension the status of Learning & Families co-op school �We have Mrs. B for 30 minutes. . . maybe a bit more

Mrs. Bowers cont. �Let’s start with her title and responsibilities (the boring facts)

Mrs. Bowers cont. �Let’s start with her title and responsibilities (the boring facts) �Then some general questions: how is LAF doing in the 2011 -2012 school year? Attendance up, down? Number of high schoolers, middle schoolers, elementary schoolers?

Mrs. Bowers cont. �Let’s start with her title and responsibilities (the boring facts) �Then some general questions: how is LAF doing in the 2011 -2012 school year? Attendance up, down? Number of high schoolers, middle schoolers, elementary schoolers? �What is mission of LAF?

Mrs. Bowers take III �Then let’s ease into the Meadowland stuff

Mrs. Bowers take III �Then let’s ease into the Meadowland stuff �Is Meadowland church still in biz? Does that affect LAF? Do we have contingency plan? Who is taking over Meadowland? What does LAF leadership think of situation?

Assignments 9/20 �Write your Mrs. Bowers story. Do a strong lead, build up with facts, use quotes. At least 500 w 0 rds. This should be an epic piece!

Assignments 9/20 �Write your Mrs. Bowers story. Do a strong lead, build up with facts, use quotes. At least 500 w 0 rds. This should be an epic piece! �Read and study TTS pages 42 -65