conducting an oral history interview

Conducting an Oral History Interview

internetmarketinginc.com

By Marianne BatesMay 2011

Interview a living personFind someone who lived through an interesting historical event or time period

Ask questionsGather information and memoriesRecord their answers

What is oral history?

http://static.howstuffworks.comhttp://johnstoncoarts.files.wordpress.com

blogs.artvoice.com

Choose someone to interview:GrandparentsOther family memberNeighborFamily friendAn acquaintance from Boy Scouts,

church, or a civic organization

bibledude.net

Face to faceVideoTape recording/ MP3

Letter or emailTelephone call

Select a method of interviewing:

microsoft.commicrosoft.commicrosoft.com

Acquire background knowledge to ask good questions

Use a variety of sourcesPioneer LibraryInternet sourcesLibrary sources (use subject search)

Cite sourcesTake notes

Research background information:

Create a list of questions: Background Information (3-4)General questions about the time

period (3-4)Specific questions about the

person’s experiences (5-6)Follow-up questions as neededAsk them to tell storiesDo not interrupt or correct what

they sayblogs.sun.com

NotebookPens or pencilsTape recorder, video recorder, MP-3 playerBackground info—jog your memoryQuestionsWater

Prepare for the interview:

www.indianwww.isplc2006.orga.e

du

Arrive earlySet up and test equipmentChoose a room without outside noise or

distractionsProvide a comfortable chairProvide water and refreshmentsHelp the interviewee feel relaxed and at easeSpeak slowly, loudly and clearlyStart with easy questions

Carry out the interview:

g-images.amazon.commicrosoft.com

Say thank youChat about what you learned togetherTell your interviewee what you will do with the interviewLabel everything you have information on (video tape, cassette tape, notes, etc.)Make a transcription of your interviewSend one to the interviewee with a thank you

letter

Following up after the interview

2.bp.blogspot.com

The Great DepressionWorld War IIKorean WarVietnam WarCold WarFall of the Berlin WarRefugees or Immigrants to the U.S.Gulf War

Ideas for Oral History Projects

creativecapital.files.wordpress.com

Powell, Kimberly. "Oral history step-by-step." About.com: Genealogy. 2009. About.com. 25 Mar 2009 <http://genealogy.about.com/od/oral_history/ss/oral_history.htm>.

Works Cited