Interviews Chapter 5
General Interview Guidelines Know what you want to find out. Decide whom to ask. Decide what sort of interview is involved. Be comfortable.
Preparing and Asking Questions Prepare Q’s before interview Research subject Yes/no q’s (open/closed ended q’s) -est questions Stock questions Embarrassing questions Listening to responses
Conducting the Interview Ask background info Observe your subject Be friendly and attentive Be aware of ethnic differences Dress properly
Taking Notes Shorthand skill Speed writing Tape recorder
Interview via Internet Convenient (pro) Newsgroups (pro) Not everything is honest or accurate (con) Miss out on non-verbals (con)
“Off the record” Can reporter use information, but not name? Check with interviewee Can reporter use information, but not name? Can information not be used at all? Know when back “on the record” Must agree to be “off”
Writing the Interview Story Use Details Use Quotes Q- and- A technique Interview article p.111
Prepublication Checking Read back story Good human relations Help eliminate mistakes Difficult for a source to sue you for libel As a journalist, you don’t have to do this Prior Review: school administration requires opportunity to review publication (censorship)