INTERVIEWING

How to get information from a

source?

Interviews Having conversations with people Most information gathered from

conversations with people. Best used to solicit reactions and

interpretations. Try to do fact gathering before interview.

Interviewing Ask questions Digest responses Record answers Cajole the source Gauge reactions Look for details

BE PREPARED Research the subject and your

source Search the newspaper library and

online databases List your questions Set up the interview – time and

place. What will you wear?

Phrasing questions Ask open-ended and closed-ended

questions. Allow the person to think and to

speak; pause Control the flow but be flexible Keep rephrasing the question until

the source answers it adequately

Tips Establish a rapport Don’t push, don’t threaten, don’t

argue.

More tips Take good notes Use the tape recorder (if possible)

Before you leave Ask if there’s anything interviewee

wants to say. Check facts – spellings, dates,

quotations, statistics. Set time for rechecking facts,

quotes. Discuss when and where interview

might appear.

After the interview Organize your notes – immediately Craft a proper lead Write a coherent story Check accuracy with the

interviewee.