writing interview requests

Your Interview Request*

Keeping your request reader-centered

* Adapted from Dr. Charlotte Thralls

Who?

Tell the reader who you are.

Mention your enrollment in this class.

What?

What specifically are you asking for?

What is the purpose of the interview?

What will be the focus of your interview?Will you make your interview questions available

before the interview?

When?

When will you provide interview questions? (before or during the interview?)

When will you conduct the interview?Provide a time frame rather than a specific date.

When does the reader need to let you know if he/she can do the interview? The more information you can give the reader in

your request, the easier it will be for them to make a decision.

Where?

Where will the interview take place?Will you meet face to face or online?

Why?

Why are you conducting this interview?

Why are you asking this particular reader for a favor (A little bit of sincere flattery doesn’t hurt).

Why should the reader comply?

How?

How do you want to conduct the interview?Does the reader have any choice in the format?

How will you use the information from the interview?Will the reader have access to your final project?

How much of the reader’s time will you need?

I

I knew you’d be excited!

Now go forth and request your interviews!!!