1. Making the Interview Work What are general interviewing guidelines?

2. Steps in conducting a successful interview:  Step One – Know what you want to find out  Step Two – Know who can give you the information you need - the primary source – the person who can give you the best and most reliable information  Helpful hint- People LIKE talking about themselves and they LIKE sharing their opinions with interested people! This will work in your favor!

3. Preparing and Asking Questions… Know what you are going to ask Do your research! Be straightforward and concise

4. Types of Questions Avoid Yes/No Questions! – Use OPEN- ENDED QUESTIONS that will elicit a quotable response Avoid Yes/No Questions! – Use OPEN- ENDED QUESTIONS that will elicit a quotable response -EST Questions – These questions tend to be too simplistic and may come off as yes/no questions – they may cut off the conversation and you don ’ t want to do that! -EST Questions – These questions tend to be too simplistic and may come off as yes/no questions – they may cut off the conversation and you don ’ t want to do that!

5. Types of Questions Stock questions – “ All purpose questions ” – Reporters tend to use these when they have had little time to prepare; however, sometimes they take the form of –est questions and can lead to a boring interview Stock questions – “ All purpose questions ” – Reporters tend to use these when they have had little time to prepare; however, sometimes they take the form of –est questions and can lead to a boring interview Embarrassing questions – As a student reporter, don ’ t pry, don ’ t snoop, don ’ t ask hostile, leading, or loaded questions Embarrassing questions – As a student reporter, don ’ t pry, don ’ t snoop, don ’ t ask hostile, leading, or loaded questions

6. Types of Questions A loaded question is a question that carries an assumption and is worded in such a way that the respondent directly admits to accepting the assumption. Ex. “ Have you stopped beating your wife? ” A loaded question is a question that carries an assumption and is worded in such a way that the respondent directly admits to accepting the assumption. Ex. “ Have you stopped beating your wife? ”

7. Do’s Don’ts  Do be polite  Do pay close attention/ be observant  Do listen  Do ask if there is anything else you should know  Do wait when there is a long pause  Do establish a rapport  Do make eye contact  Do use the person’s name – act interested (even if you’re not!)  Don’t threaten  Don’t challenge (except for clarification)  Don’t argue

8. Taking notes  People tend to talk faster than reporters can write, so you need to develop a system of note-taking that works for you  Possible styles: Shorthand Tape recorder – There are many pros and cons to this!!

9. Going “Off the Record”  A source may suggest going “off the record” which could mean several things  You need to establish the meaning of this with your interviewee BEFORE you proceed  No information is off the record unless you agree  This is honor bound and you HAVE to stick to it!