Interviewing in Journalism

Figure out exactly what it is that you want to find out. The First Step Figure out exactly what it is that you want to find out. Write out a list of your goals for the interview. Think about what your readers will want to know.

Prepare questions BEFORE the interview Know what you’re going to ask Get background info on your subject Ask OPEN-ENDED questions – Don’t ask “Yes/No” (closed-ended) questions. They make the interview short. Be straightforward – don’t make a speech with your questions

-EST questions AVOID these types of questions Example: Asking a father, “What was your proudest moment?” – It limits him to JUST ONE proud moment. It is a CLOSED-ENDED question. Example words: Best, worst, most, least, (any superlative word)

STOCK (G.O.S.S.) questions Use these when you have to conduct an interview with no or very little advance warning Goals (What do hope to accomplish with this?) Obstacles (What stands in the way of this?) Solutions (How can you overcome these obstacles?) Start (How did this all begin? Whose ideas was it?) THESE AREN’T STEMS. They’re just guides to help brainstorm questions.

THESE are stems Tell me about… Describe a situation in which you… Can you go into some detail about… Share a story about… Can you give me an example in which… How would you respond to…

Embarrassing questions As a journalist, you MUST ask these, BUT, keep good taste in mind. Don’t pry; don’t snoop Don’t ask hostile or loaded question Get to the truth, however Ask as politely as you can If you don’t get an answer, ask again

Listening to responses Pay attention to how a question is answered Is the subject calm or fidgety? Watch body language. It can sometimes tell you more than the answer the subject gave you.

LAST THING TO ASK “Is there anything else I should know?

Conducting the Interview Don’t use the word “interview.” Instead say “Would you have some time for a meeting or time to talk with me….” Arrive ON TIME Get down the CORRECT spelling of their name, family status, job title, years in current position

Conducting the Interview cont. Ask the MOST IMPORTANT questions first If they have to leave suddenly, you want to make sure you got the most important answers you needed.

Conducting the Interview cont. Ask the MOST IMPORTANT questions first If they have to leave suddenly, you want to make sure you got the most important answers you needed.