Writing an Interesting Interview

What NOT to do Interviewer: “Where did you grow up?” Famous person: “Florida.” Interviewer: “Where did you attend college?” Famous person: “Florida State.” Interviewer: “What was your major?” Famous person: “Soil and water science.”

Picture Have a picture of the person being interviewed so that the reader can picture the conversation. Often times, an interview will include multiple pictures of the interviewee in various states of conversation.

Introductory Paragraph Assume the reader does not know who the person being interviewed is. You do not need a full biography, but you should identify a couple interesting facts about the person. You want the reader to want to read the interview. You might also identify a short, interesting quote from the interview.

Questions Avoid typical interview questions. Instead, ask questions that are intriguing, or lead the interviewee to reveal an interesting bit of information. For example, instead of asking, “How did you achieve your fashion success?” ask, “They call you the ‘Godfather of fashion’ … what three qualities do you think you share with Marlon Brando?”

Answers In order to get interesting answers, you need to ask interesting questions – but sometimes, that’s not enough. If you aren’t getting the interesting answers that you want, try asking the questions again but in different ways or using different perspectives, until the interviewee gives you an interesting answer – then build on that.

Structure Unless it would only make sense that way, it is not necessary to organize the questions and answers in a linear manner. Sometimes the best way is to start with a strong question and end with a strong question. DO NOT end with “Thank you for your time” or something like that… BORING. End with a quote that the interviewee offered that might summarize or re-make a point… just like a conclusion in an essay would.

Interview a classmate Find out INTERESTING things about them and try to get them to ELABORATE: “You have a great style. Where do you shop?” “Forever 21.” BOO! You need at least 6 interesting questions and answers WITH SUBSTANCE!