1. Telling the Story
Chapter 3

2. Preparing for the Interview
It is key to build trust
The News Story
Research background and context of your event or similar topics
Plan your approach of who you will interview and how
The Profile
Review the interviewees general information
Investigative Piece - preparation is essential
Gather most the evidence then focus in more specifically
Set up an interview by formally and persuasively requesting

3. Broadcast Interviews Television journalists are performers
They have to report, write, and also convey their story with words and body language
Tips:
Use objective questions (When? Where?) and subjective questions (Why? Can you explain?)
Focus on one issue at a time
Ask open-ended questions
Keep questions short
Build to the point
Be honest

4. Telephone, Email, and Skype Interviews
Record conversation (ask permission first) for accuracy
is a last resort interview method
Follow-up questions are important
Make questions clear and grammatically correct

5. Setting up the interview
Dress to impress, be appropriate and mature for the setting
Environment is always a very important aspect when interviewing; a person feels more powerful in his or her official surroundings
Always let the source know how much time you need and whether or not you intend to follow up
ALWAYS ask the person who you are interviewing, if you intend to use a digital recorder

6. Researching Questions
Preparing Questions
First write down a list of questions you want to ask
2. Mentally search for the next question as the source is answering the last one
3. If you are focused on the next question you won't be focused on what the source is saying that you could miss the most important part of the interview
Researching Questions
Find ideas from other sources
Not all questions will be used, but they help get you ready
Sources to see prepared questions are often impressed

7. Phrasing Questions: Open Ended Questions
Allow flexibility for the respondent
Make sure the question is a yes-no response
Make sure that the open ended question isn’t offensive in anyway
Make sure you don’t ask direct specific questions (for example a sports writer was interviewing a pro scout and he asked who he was there too see, the scout declined)

8. Phrasing Questions: Closed Ended Questions
Eventually the reporter will need to close in on a specific subject
A vague question will get you a vague answer
Always be specific on what you want to know

9. Interview Approaches Small Talk - Sets a casual, relaxed environment
Demonstrate Knowledge - Confirms your interviewee won't be skeptical
Show Commonalities - Makes connections and builds relations
Change Scenery - Wherever interviewee would feel more comfortable
Set Serious, Uneasy Tone - For investigations to get information
Sympathetic Responses - A simple “mm-hmm” can keep the source talking

10. Ensuring Accuracy
Recording: capturing context with word-for-word accuracy
Taking Notes: sets comfortable relationship and keeps only key elements
abbreviations, ask for spelling, leave margins for annotation, note: date/place/names
Observing: It’s all about the scene
Understanding what you hear: Better to ask for clarification
Follow-Up: Most important are questions asked in response to answers
Pacing the Interview: Encourage longer responses with pauses or “go on”
Photos or Video: Capture visuals, more than needed for options

11. Ending the Interview
Once you check your facts and put away your notes, you’re still allowed to ask questions
the sources will loosen up and talk more
ask if there’s anything you forgot to ask - gives the source a chance to add what they want
Review notes, check facts, dates, numbers, quotes, spellings, etc.

12. What to Quote Directly Unique Material
Something surprising you wouldn't expect
Intrigues others to read the article
2. Memorable Expressions
Colloquialisms said add color and life
Slang and words with double-meaning
3. Important Quotes by Important People
Prominence is a key to news
Gives credibility and interest

13. Quoting Accurately First obligation as a reporter is to be accurate
Verification
check facts quoted for errors and or false information
the story won't be complete without all sides
Correcting Grammar in Quotations
Although wanting to capture exactly, it is accepted to correct grammar mistakes
Each handled differently, sometimes you want to sacrifice accuracy to promote proper English while other times you want to embarrass the figures
More difficult and lenient in radio and television