INTERVIEWING Learning to ask the right questions

Interviewing ◦ Part 1 – Who should you ask the questions? ◦ Part 2 – What types of questions should you ask? ◦ Part 3 – How should you ask the questions? ◦ Part 4 – How do you handle the answers?

PART 1 Who should you ask the questions?

◦ People you interview are called sources. ◦ There are two types of sources to consider – primary and secondary

Sources ◦ Primary source – this person is THE authority on your topic ◦ Example: when writing a story about the band, you would definitely interview the drum major ◦ Secondary source – this person provides additional info but does not have the final say on the topic ◦ Example – a band member could give some additional information.

PART 2 What kind of questions should you ask?

◦ Step one is to look at your research. ◦ If you don’t understand a point in the research you have done, be sure to have the primary source explain it to you. ◦ Ask yourself- “What would a reader want to know from this person? ◦ A reasonably interested reader will want certain questions answered.

Do’s and Don’ts ◦ Do: ◦ Ask how to spell the source’s name ◦ Stick to the topic ◦ Show that you have a working knowledge of the subject ◦ Don’t ◦ Ask what they have to do with the story ◦ Ask irrelevant questions like their birthday, favorite color, etc. ◦ Make yourself look stupid

The Process ◦ Start out with feeler questions ◦ Find out basic information like dates or times to just get the source going ◦ Move to probing questions ◦ Ask more in-depth questions that force the source to think ◦ Try hypothetical questions ◦ Ask your source… “What would you do if” questions ◦ Tip: Always keep questions that might alarm or offend the source for last… if they make you leave, at least you still have all your information before the question.

What kind of questions should I ask? ◦ Closed Ended Questions ◦ Require a one word answer ◦ The worst of these are yes/no questions ◦ Usually begin with Did? Do? Have? Is? ◦ Open Ended Questions ◦ Require the source to think and give sentence answers ◦ Usually begin with Who? What? When? Or Why? ◦ Avoid directed questions ◦ In these questions, you lead your source into saying something. ◦ Example: “So, you do think he’s a bad teacher, don’t you?” ◦ Use undirected questions ◦ In these questions, you leave the source free to answer as they wish? ◦ Example: “How do you feel about his teaching?”

PART 3 How should I ask the questions?

Ways to Interview ◦ The best way is a face-to-face interview ◦ Positive – you are able to write down specific visual details and hear the inflection of the voice ◦ Negative – it can sometimes be hard to find a time and place to meet.

Ways to Interview ◦ Another way is a phone interview ◦ Positive – you can still read emotion through verbal tones and inflection ◦ Negative – you lose the visual details

Ways to Interview ◦ The worst way is a written interview ◦ Positive – it’s easy to hand out a sheet of questions ◦ Negative – you can’t guarantee they will get the paper back to you. Plus, you lose all visual and verbal detail ◦ New version of this is interviewing in a text message

How do I ask these questions? ◦ Always show up with at least 10 questions written out ◦ Be sure to leave space on your paper for the answers. ◦ These are called prepared questions. ◦ Ask questions you think of on the spot. ◦ You may need to clarify information ◦ Your source might take you in an entirely new direction you never thought of ◦ These are called follow up questions.

PART 4 How should you handle the answers?

Know what you’re looking for ◦ Direct quotes – are the sources answer word for word ◦ These are best but require intense note taking. ◦ Indirect quotes – are the sources answer in a summarized version. ◦ These are acceptable but dangerous. You must be careful not to distort the source’s words.

Listen and Learn ◦ Be sure to write down what the source says. ◦ If you miss something or need them to repeat themselves, be SURE to ask. ◦ It is completely acceptable to read back what you have written so the source can hear it and correct it for you.

After the Interview ◦ Make sure you can read your notes easily. Make any necessary additions to your notes. ◦ Write your story as soon as possible. Delay might make it harder. ◦ Make sure your source will be available for additional questioning if needed.