Interviewing

Interviewing

Conducting a successful interview is one of the most important skills a reporter possesses

Obtain background information first; then be CURIOUS

Interviews must be planned and arranged. Be prepared

Know before the interview the questions to which you need answers

How to interview

Interviews should be face-to-face when possible.

Telephone interviews are acceptable, especially on deadline.

Emailing a source is a last, but sometimes necessary, resort.

Types of questions

Open ended questions elicit comments, quotes and opinions. They are the what, why and how questions. Or perhaps a simple statement. “Tell me about…”

Close-ended questions seek specific information. Who did this? Where did it happen? When? Did you…? The answers are short and factual

Questions for color – senses, observations, anecdotes, details

Types of questions

Goal revealing questions: What are you trying to accomplish? What’s the purpose of your club?

Obstable revealing questions: What problems did you face?

Solution revealing questions: how did you handle the problem? What plans do you have for resolving the conflict?

Start revealing questions: When did the program begin? Whose idea was this?

How & why after the questions?

Types of questions Who, What, When, Where, Why & How Numerical questions Def ine a term in hi s own words “Are you saying that….? Chronology Anecdotes – senses to remember a day, questions to pull anecdotes out of a person How did you feel when….? Expand: Restate an answer, ask for an example, define jargon

Interviewing tips

Be on time and dress for the interview Start with broad questions to loosen up the

source Sources get defensive about manipulative

questions Always ask:

“How do you spell your name?" "Is all the information on your business card

(LinkedIn profile) correct?"

More tips

Don't create enemies. Make it clear to your sources that you are giving them a chance to share their side

Be sympathetic, not combative “Hello, Mr. Smith. This is Joe Brown,

reporter for the Eagle’s Eye. I’m on deadline with a story that you deserve to have a voice in.” Or: “I owe it to you to give you a chance to comment for this story.”

Ask the toughest questions last

The bomb

At the end of an interview, ask your toughest questions

Ask a devil’s advocate questions – Some people say that your football program is just using young athletes to raise big money for the school without allowing them to get a good education. What would you say to those critics?

During the interview

Get details and facts about the environment and the source – his/her appearance, demeanor, actions and reactions

When quoting someone, use “said.” Save “stated” and “according to” for documents

People cannot laugh and speak at the same time so don’t say someone “laughed” a quote

Listening tips

Focus on what the source is saying, not on your next question

Base your next question on what the source says. Converse

Politely guide your source back to the topic if the source rambles

Think on your feet. Listen for facts, quotes and substantiation

More listening tips

Make eye contact If you don’t understand the source’s point,

politely ask for explanation or example Listen for what isn’t being said; then ask

about it Observe

Note-taking tips

A good story starts with good notes Good writing cannot compensate for a lack

of info Spell names and titles correctly. Verify

information. Put the date on notes Make notes specific More information is better than not enough Bring extra pens or pencils

More on note-taking

Concentrate. Write fast. Block out everything while you write the quote

Use key words to remind you of facts Develop a shorthand Slow the interview by not asking another

question until you finish writing Ask the source to repeat information you

missed

Still more on note-taking

Praise the source, especially if source seems nervous

Use asterisks for key points or quotes Be open-minded. The story idea might

change during the interview Practice taking notes while standing up Save your notes for a few weeks – then

trash them Don’t transcribe your notes

Use an audio recorder?

The case against: Batteries fail Intimidates source Inhibits rapport Tapes break Machines fail Prevents you from taking good notes Recorders can’t observe Must transcribe tapes when return to office

When to use an audio recorder If you write for the Internet, you’ll have to have one to

get a sound byte for the web site Don’t shove it under the source’s nose Introduce yourself. Chat with the source briefly. Make

the source feel at ease Ask for permission to use the recorder Don’t record a telephone conversation without

source’s approval Don’t record a conversation when you are not a part of

the conversation. It’s illegal

On and off the record

On the record means the information can be used and the source giving you the information can be quoted or the information can be attributed to the source

Attributing information to a source means the reader knows where the information came from

Once you identify yourself as a reporter, assume that everything is on the record and fair game.

More on and off the record

Not for attribution = the information can be used, but without attributing it to the source. Using anonymous sources. Dangerous. Be careful

Off the record = nothing the source says can be used in a story. Politicians and people who know how the media work use it to manipulate

Rules of on and off record

You are in charge You decide whether to allow off-the-record

comments (though you must get permission from the editor in chief)

Make sure the source knows the rules It’s not off the record unless you agree You may use info, and name the source, if

the source tells you something, then after the fact says that it is off the record

End of the interview Request documents Ask if he/she has any final thoughts. Ask if

there’s a question he expected but you didn’t answer

Ask if you can call back Thank him; if you know when the story will

run, tell him/her Be alert for post-interview quotes Divert any requests to see the article. It’s

against policy.