CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS

It’s All About the Story

The Question

The Question Was it a good question? Zeleny’s response

Why a good question? Knows his source well and

understands his style. Wants the best information from

the source – seventh-inning stretchSource wasn’t prepared to answer

such a question – so he gives a more interesting, less canned answer.

Why a good question? Thinks hard about the question Considers the context – when in the

news conference and different than usual “news of the day” questions.

Why a good question? Reporter didn’t care about the

repercussions. “You can’t worry about whether

you’ll be criticized.” “The job of journalist isn’t to write

for an inside audience but to write for a broader audience.”

The best five interviewing tips Be prepared Know your source Be empathetic Listen, listen, listen Check your ego at the door

Be Prepared Spend time developing questions. Make a list so your thoughts are

organized and to remind you to get the answers you want.

“How do you know that?” is a question reporters don’t ask enough.

Be prepared -- developing questions Warm up with a few basic “get-

to-know-you” type questions so the interviewee feels comfortable.

Ask the subject to tell the story from the beginning. The source will be less likely to leave out details; the reporter can more easily spot holes.

Be prepared -- developing questions At the end of the interview, ask an

open-ended question like, “Is there anything else you would like to say?” or “Is there anything else I should know?”

Tell the source you may need to call them back for clarification; ask for a number you can reach them after hours.

Know your source Read “everything” you can about

the person and the issue Do pre-interviews with others who

know about the person or the issue

Know your source:Not all are created equal

Sophisticated v. unsophisticated Hostile v. vulnerable Be aware of what approaches work

best with each person.

Be empatheticTry to think like your source.Put yourself in his or her shoes.Be genuine – earn their trust.Put them at ease.

Listen Work hard at really listening. Listen closely so you can catch

discrepancies or ask follow-up questions. Make and keep eye contact. Don’t bury

your head in your notebook. Rephrase their answers periodically to

demonstrate you are paying attention – or say something like “I see” or “I understand.”

Check your ego at the door Be humble. It’s not about you – it’s

about the person being interviewed – and you getting the most and best information from him or her.

Don’t worry about impressing them or seeming dumb in their eyes.

Don’t be afraid to say you don’t understand.

Check your ego at the door “Never be afraid to ask what looks like

a trivial question.” – Jeff Zeleny. Sometimes those elicit the best information.Difference between a trivial question and

one that demonstrates you haven’t done your homework.

Final thoughts: When scheduling an interview,

identify yourself by name. Say you are a student writing for NewsNetNebraska; be sure the person knows the story will be published online.

If you are taping this interview, be sure to get their permission.

Final thoughts: Be sure you have an extra pen or

pencil, along with a notebook. Make sure you arrive on time.

Final thoughts::

Double-check dates and spelling of names. Even a name like Smith can be spelled differently.

Make note of the surroundings, body language and clothing to add color to your story.

Final thoughts: Immediately after an interview, review

and supplement your notes. Type up notes, if possible. Highlight

potential good quotes. Don’t be afraid to double-check unclear

information, even if you must make a follow-up call.

Final thoughts: Even if you are taping, take lots of

notes. Don’t rely on tape alone. 9-11 profile Portraits of Grief project

Your assignment Interview your partner so that you

can write a 200-word profile that will be published on NewsNetNebraska.

Profiles due to your Dropbox folder by midnight Tuesday, Aug. 30.

NNN Profile example

More info Interviewing tips -- The New York Ti

mes Extended interview with Jeff Zeleny