BEFORE the Interview Collect & Organize Information Gather background information* about the topic BEFORE doing an interview. The more prepared you are, the better the questions will be, and, therefore, they will produce a more interesting interview and better quotes. 1.Determine best person(s) to interview. 2.Gather basic info on person and topic – who, what, when, where, why, and how. 3.Write out your interview questions. 4.Make an appointment for the interview; let them know what you want to talk about with them. 5.Conduct the interview in person, whenever possible. This allows you to observe non-verbal gestures and ask follow-up questions.

Types of Interviewing Questions Closed-Ended Questions Example: “Have you enjoyed being in the band?” Can be used to gather basic facts Can be answered with one or two words, or yes/no Does not spark a conversation alone Should be followed-up with an open-ended question. Can be leading. Open-Ended Questions Example: “What have you enjoyed about being in the band? Why?” Can’t be answered with a yes or no or a single word Asks the interviewee to think about the topic or event May have varied responses, depending on who is answering the questions Invites the interviewees to tell the story in their own words without leading them into the answers you want to hear.

The Interview 1.Be sure to dress appropriately for the person you are interviewing. Appearances communicate a great deal before you ever speak aloud. 2.Thank them for their willingness to meet. 3.Gather facts, non-verbal details, and QUOTES. 4.If you are trying to capture a quote and they respond too quickly, ask for a moment to get all of the information down. If you wish to record the interview, be sure to ask permission first. 5.Keep the interview within the agreed time frame.

The Interview 6.Begin interview with basic questions…for instance, clarify dates, places, scores, etc. 7.Ask open-ended questions! For instance, tell me about…. 8.Prepare for a conversation, not just a series of rapid-fire questions. 9.When finished, thank them for their time, and ask if you could follow-up or clarify via , if necessary. 10.Get their address (if you don’t have it) so we can get them to sign-off on interview/quotes.*

AFTER the Interview 1.Begin your writing process as soon as possible after the interview. 2.Rewrite or type your notes so they are organized and easily understood. 3.Confirm information previously gathered (quotes, especially.) 4.Eliminate any opinions and adjectives and only record the facts about the non-verbal gestures. 5.Record any follow-up questions you may have. 6.Save everything! Have every quote signed as being what the person said. Save your notes. Save your drafts. Turn it in to Mr. Stepp when you have completed your spread. Place all of this and a BEST proof of your final spread in your name-envelope.

Sources Yearbook Interviewing by LifeTouch Yearbooks -