Interview Skills Getting the most from an interview.

Key Concepts  General Interview Guidelines  Researching and structuring questions  Note taking and tape recorders  Conducting interviews on the internet  Stock questions  “Off the record”  Writing the Interview

General Interview Guidelines  Know what you want to find out.  Know where to get the information  Talk to the experts  Find eyewitnesses if appropriate  Find background information  What information is needed to understand the situation?  Check validity of your sources for that information.  Always use information appropriately  Show confidence and poise

Researching and structuring questions  Asking good questions requires good research  Be familiar with what you’re asking about  Ask questions to enhance our understanding of the topic  -est questions  Generally result in limited information  Should be avoided  Stock questions  Used when unable to prepare for an interview  Result in general responses  Embarrassing Questions  Sometimes necessary  Don’t ask loaded questions  Be polite

Conducting the Interview  Observe your subject  Body language is important  How they say something is just as important as what they say  Be Friendly and Attentive  Use a conversation to ask questions  Mind your manners and make eye contact  Remain neutral  Take Notes  Develop your own ‘speedwriting’  Tape recorders can be useful

Writing the Story  Use Details  Don’t be vague or use generalizations  Don’t tell, show.  Using Quotes  Makes the subject ‘real’  Stay out of the story (I asked…)  Q and A  Transcript of interview  Can be rearranged to improve logic

The Scenario The school year is coming to an end and you are in charge of writing an article that focuses on seniors who are graduating. Your editor needs the completed story and photos in an 8.5” x 11” portrait layout by Wednesday. The Assignment Plan for an interview using the notes you have been given. 1.Prepare well-researched questions that you can ask seniors who are graduating. Due Tomorrow 1.Conduct three interviews with three different graduating seniors. 2.Using our camera phone, take photos of your subjects to include in the story. 3.Place the story and at least three photos in an 8.5”x 11” layout. 4. the layout to your editor by Wednesday 5/20at 3:00 p.m.