1. Interviewing
Chapters 14-15

2. Three Types of Sources Human Sources Online Sources
- Authorities Can include human and physical sources
- Eyewitnesses Library Resources
- Officials
- Participants
Physical Sources
- Records
- Reference Works
- Documents
- Newspaper and Magazine Stories

3. Check Reliability
There can be Pseudo-Sources Erin Brockovich

4. And Pseudo-Stories
The Sexiest Man Alive?

5. Real people are important
Here is an example.
Stories are everywhere.

6. Internet Reliability
Authority - Who put the page together and what are their qualifications?
Accuracy - Is there another source you can check to verify information?
Currency - Is the page up-to-date?
Coverage - Is the material thorough?
Objectivity - Are ads and copy clearly separated? If there is bias, is it clear?
Reliability Ratings
1. Government Data
2. Studies by Universities and Colleges
3. Special-Interest Groups
4. Home Pages

7. Interviews News Interviews
- Gather information to explain an event or situation in the news.
Profile Interviews
- The focus is on an individual.
Here is an example.

8. Four Principles 1. Prepare Carefully 2. Establish a Relationship
3. Ask Questions that are Relevant
4. Listen and Watch Attentively
Follow the two Ps.

9. During the Interview Let the source know what they are in for.
In the best interviews, the source does all the talking.
But don’t take them home with you …

10. Have a Theme in Mind
- But list as many potential topics and questions as you can and don’t be afraid to deviate from the theme.
Direct Questions - Flow from the theme
Open-Ended Questions - Can be answered in general terms
Closed Questions - Are looking for specifics
Tough Questions
Intrusive Questions
Listen for the money quote. ?

11. Ground Rules Identify yourself at the beginning of the interview
State the purpose of the interview
Make clear to the interview subject how and where the material will be used
Tell the source how long the interview will take
Keep the interview as short as possible
Ask specific questions the source is competent to answer
Give the source ample time to reply
Ask the source to clarify complicated or vague answers
Read back answers when asked or when in doubt
Insist on right-to-know answers
Avoid lecturing, arguing or debating

12. Four Types of Information
On the Record: All statements are directly quotable and can be attributed to the source by name and title.
On Background: All statements are directly quotable, but should be attributed using general terms like “White House official.”
On Deep Background: Any material from the interview is usable, but can’t be directly quoted or attributed.
Off the Record: Information is for the reporter’s knowledge only and cannot be made public or taken to another source for confirmation.

13. Listening vs. Hearing
Cut down your ego. It’s not about what you think and know
Open your mind to new and different ideas
Give the interview subject time to develop his or her thoughts
Avoid interrupting
Concentrate on what the person is saying rather than personality, appearance and demeanor
Try to limit questions to the theme and other relevant ideas that come up
Don’t ask long questions

14. A Guide for the Profile Let the reader:
See the person - physical characteristics
Hear the person - lots of great quotes
Watch the person - lots of action
Know the person - lots of details and background

15. Altering Quotes If you use a recorder, listen to verify quotes
Corrections of grammar, syntax, stuttering and filling in explanatory words are all acceptable changes to quotations
Cut irrelevant and wandering material
It is acceptable to substitute words without changing the meaning
If you do make changes, consider the whole and its accuracy

16. Phrasing Questions and More
Let the interview subject know you are a pro.
Vague questions often lead to vague answers.
How you phrase the question can be as important as the question itself.
If you use a recorder, take advantage of the counter.
Check spellings, dates, statistics, quotes and cover how to follow up.
End with, “Is there anything you feel we didn’t cover?”

17. What to Quote and What not to Quote
Quote unique material.
Quote unique phrasing.
Quote someone important saying something important.
Check the accuracy of information within the quotes as well as the accuracy of the quotes themselves.
Don’t quote matters of public record.
Don’t quote material that is generally known.
Don’t quote material that is available from several sources.
Don’t quote material that is easily verifiable.
Don’t quote material that makes no assumptions, offers no opinions or is noncontroversial.

18. Dialect, Profanity and More
Caught on Mic

19. Interesting Stats
Only 13 of 98 quotes were verbatim, but only two were incompatible with the original meaning.
Pulitzer Prize winners used a greater variety of physical sources than did nonwinners. The winners used more documents, reports, books and other printed matter and fewer interviews than did the nonwinners.