Humans of New York interview style Only Human Humans of New York interview style News Gathering

Interviews Conversation between journalist, subject Vital source for fact, narrative gathering Investment of time in research, preparation, execution

Type of Questions Open-ended Questions - asked to encourage a full, meaningful answer Closed-ended Questions - short or single-word answer Verification Questions - fact finding, background info, goal to increase depth of knowledge Behavioral Questions - seekings examples of experiences

Basic Tips Environment - quiet, relaxed, comfortable, minimize distractions Prepare - make clear the objectives of the interview Clarify - seek clarification and understanding Leave opportunity for follow-up Thank them for their time

Brandon Stanton Creator, photographer, interview of Humans of New York Started in 2010 as a photo census of New York 18 million+ followers humansofnewyork.com

HONY Appeal “HONY has universal appeal because it breaks down the barriers that we all have as humans and tells the story that no one knows but everyone needs to know.” Georgie Alexander, Wakeland HS editor 2014 “Anyone can read at least one HONY and the raw feeling in them and makes you feel something, recall a memory. it makes a massive city, this massive world, a little bit smaller. i love the simplicity. you have to read without context, so everyone interprets it differently. it makes me remember everyone has a story, an identity. you can walk into an interview thinking you know someone, but you have no idea.” McKenna Blair, Wakeland HS editor 2015

HONY Advice Accept you will be nervous when approaching people. Energy is everything. if you are nervous, your subject will be nervous Talk to everyone. Not just the expected, popular, friendly people. representative of your student body People will say no. People will be rude. People will be mean. Don’t take it personal. Consider every NO just practice for approaching strangers

HONY Advice Don’t try to control the situation. Let the subject lead you. Be professional without being uptight be human be you Be consistent and committed to telling and sharing stories

Main difference It is a conversation. Not an interview. Don’t run down a list of prepared questions Let the conversation flow naturally Build rapport Ease and comfort with subject Talk as if you are talking with a friend Value the person. Find out who they are. It means a great deal to a person when you take time and place value on their story

All examples used with permission from Wakeland High School, The Prowler, Frisco, TX