TIPS TO INTERVIEW & WRITE LIKE A PRO Adapted from RAY MURRAY Assistant Professor Oklahoma State University

INTERVIEWING BASICS When you’re interviewing someone, what’s your most important skill? Listening. Do your homework before going to an interview. Try to make it a conversation and not a cross examination.

GET MOVIN’ Ask politely for interview time. What time works best? Office? Home? Coffee shop? You’re busy; they’re busy, so don’t put it off. Rush jobs are obvious and stink. Please and thank you go a long way.

KEEP CHASING “I e-mailed him two weeks ago and he hasn’t e-mail me back.” “I left a message for him and he hasn’t called me back.” Keep digging/chasing. It’s amazing how few students think of GOING TO MEET THE PERSON IN PERSON. It’s allowed and encouraged.

LITTLE THINGS ARE BIG Show up 10 minutes early. Make sure you know where you’re going. Make sure you have a notebook, plenty of WORKING pens. Should you record it? Yes, but take notes. Check the machine during the interview to see whether it’s working. Carry extra batteries/tapes.

LITTLE BIG THINGS Put your source at ease; get him/her talking by mentioning something on the walls or the weather or aren’t the Cowboys great.

GROUND RULES Everything is on the record. Say it’s possible this will be submitted for publication. Don’t agree to a list of questions. Don’t let them review the story. Conduct an accuracy check on needed items. NO anonymous sources.

WHOM TO INTERVIEW Highest officials possible. Experts on an issue. People with opposing views. People affected. Diverse sources.

ONCE YOU GET GOING Give the source an overview of what you plan to talk about. Start with open-ended questions; listen, listen, listen. Be prepared to change directions if the source says something that dictates it. Observe your surroundings/take notes that help give the story flavor.

FIRST THINGS FIRST First question to ask . . . “May I have the correct spelling of your first and last names?” People will like that you’re trying to be accurate. Second question: “May I have your home/work phone number(s)/e-mail/Blackberry/what gadget you have addresses so I may call or text you later if I have more questions?”

NOW WE’RE ROLLIN’ Ask the easy questions first to get the source talking. Open-ended questions are good. Save the tough stuff for the end. “Did you embezzle $2 million from the bank?”

SILENCE IS GOLDEN Don’t be afraid of silence. It can help the source get organized. Keep questions short; let the source do most of the talking. Highlight the good stuff. Mark tape number.

FAVORITE QUESTIONS From Pat Stith, a retired investigative reporter for the Raleigh News and Observer: Why? What makes you say that? How do you know? How am I going to explain that to people in …? Another I like: Explain this to me as if I’m a third-grader.

WRAP IT UP Two questions to ask at the end of the interview: “Is there anything else you think we need to discuss?” “Is there anyone else I should talk to about this story?” Let the source get the last word.

AFTERWARD Tell the source you will call back if you have any questions or need clarification on anything. Review your notes quickly; don’t wait three days and then you can’t read your handwriting. Transcribe the tape soon so the interview is fresh in your mind.

Assignment Interview someone in the class. You can either write about a his/her greatest accomplishment or his/her most life changing event. Develop your questions before you interview them. (You need ten.) Write an article with your discoveries.

First Task Brainstorm interview questions! We will discuss your responses as a class.