1. Interviews Most journalism starts with interviews. Mr. Katopodis Digital Journalism

2. The Challenge of Interviewing Skillful interviewing is a psychological process. You have been interviewing people since you learned to talk.

3. Types of Interviews Informative Interview-reports details that the source can provide because of their expertise. Informative Interview-reports details that the source can provide because of their expertise. Opinion Interview-Reveals attitudes or viewpoints of prominent people. Opinion Interview-Reveals attitudes or viewpoints of prominent people. Personality Interview-Tries to bring out the essence of an individual by looking at all the facets of his or her life. Personality Interview-Tries to bring out the essence of an individual by looking at all the facets of his or her life.

4. Types of Interview Questions:  Closed-ended questions-require a short answer. Example: How often do you go out of town?  Open-ended questions-Allows the subject to say anything he or she wants. A longer answer. Example: What do you think the most important issue facing the city council now?  Hypothetical Questions-The questions set up a situation and asks the interviewee to respond. “What if” questions. Example: If someone came to you and asked for your help in finding a job, what would you tell that person?  Agree-Disagree questions-You ask someone if they agree or disagree with a statement or action. Example: Some people say congressmen should be prevented from serving more than two terms. Do you agree or disagree with that?  Probes-Follow up questions to get more information. Example: Can you tell me more about that?  Personal Questions-Have to do with the personal life of the person. Leave these questions for the end of the interview so you can build more trust with the interviewee. Example: What do you do in your spare time?

5. Preparing for the Interview Chose someone to interview. Chose someone to interview. Identify yourself. Identify yourself. Set up an appointment. Set up an appointment. Research the person you are interviewing. Research the person you are interviewing. Research the topic. Research the topic. Prepare questions in advance. Prepare questions in advance. Come to the interview prepared with questions. Come to the interview prepared with questions.

6. The Interview Dress conservatively. Introduce yourself. Take notes, ask permission to tape the interview. Taping allows you to listen to the interview several times and get the quotes exactly. Take notes. The tape recorder can fail. Thank the person you are interviewing.

7. Writing the Interview Don’t just write the question and answer unless the person is very articulate. Turn it into a story. Use the inverted pyramid if it is a news story. Use a narrative structure if it is a feature story.

8. Class Work: Write several interview questions that you would ask of a classmate if you were writing an article about them for the Highland Park Community High School newspaper. Write several interview questions that you would ask of a classmate if you were writing an article about them for the Highland Park Community High School newspaper.