1. TIPS TO INTERVIEW & WRITE LIKE A PRO

2. INTERVIEWING BASICS
When you’re interviewing someone, your most important skill is…listening
Do your homework before going to an interview.
Try to make it a conversation and not a cross examination.

3. 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.

4. 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 recorder during the interview to see whether it’s working.
Have a fully charged/fresh battery.

5. LITTLE BIG THINGS
Dress appropriately; “young professional” and not “college kid with holes in my pants, my butt hanging out and my hat on backward.”
Put your source at ease; get him/her talking by mentioning something on the walls or the weather.

6. WHOM TO INTERVIEW People with interesting stories.
People about a different era.
Experts on an issue.
People with opposing views.
People affected by...
Diverse sources.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. WRAP IT UP Two questions to ask at the end of the interview:
“Is there anything else you would like to add?”
Let the source get the last word.

12. 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.

13. NOW WHAT? Writing is easy.
As Red Smith said, “You sit down and open up your wrists.”

14. WRITING AS A JOURNALIST
What are the keys to good journalistic writing?
Short paragraphs
Short sentences
Short words
Be objective