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InterviewingMedia Writing I

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Interviewing• Key to success for a good

communications professional.• Two main parts

– Asking good questions– LISTENING!!!!

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Interviewing• Steps in the process

– Identifying the story topic and angle– Identifying the source(s)– Background Research

• Don’t interview people for facts, interview for reactions

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Information Search• How much time do I have to track down

information?• What do I need to know?• How will I use this information?• Who is the audience for this information?

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Interviewing• Story types and interviewing

– News story• Subject focused• People are secondary

– Profile• People focused• Other topics are secondary

– Investigative story• Need to know both

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Interviewing• News stories

– Time is usually short– Clips, other writers are good background

sources– Rapport with regular sources for your beat will

serve you well

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Interviewing• Profiles

– Good profiles are difficult to write– Background information

• Basics, age, education, etc.• Know their works• Know their subjects• Know their hobbies, if possible• Dress to match• Interview friends, family, etc.• “Shadow” them, if possible

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Interviewing• Investigative stories

– Adversarial relationship?– Know the answers to the questions you ask– Start with people on the fringes and work your

way in to the main source– Get as much evidence as possible ahead of

time

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Interviewing• Phrasing questions

– The way you ask a question• Signals the response you expect• Can reveal your own point of view on the issue• May block a response

– “Are you still dumping chemicals into the river”

• Ask them questions they can answer

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Types of Interviews

• Informational Interview• Situational Interview• Confrontational Interview• Personal Interview• Professional Interview

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Interviewing• Open-ended questions

– Questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer

– Work from general to specific– These questions are less direct and less

threatening

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Interviewing• Closed-ended questions

– Asking a specific question to get a specific answer

– Plan when to ask these questions and who you are going to ask

– Keep asking until your source gives you an adequate response or tells you where to find the information

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Interviewing• Rapport

– The relationship between the reporter and the source

– Critical to the success of the interview– Look for commonalities with your subject

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• Establishing a rapport

– Look around the office• Photos of family• Pets• Sporting “trophies”

– Weather

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• Setting up the interview

– Work with the subject, but suggest a time– Estimate how long you will need

• Be prepared if it goes longer

– Set the place• Interviewee’s office? (puts them at ease)• Neutral territory

– Be cautious of noise– Privacy issues?

– Possible return for more information– Call/ e-mail back to check accuracy

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• What to bring

– What about a tape recorder?• Don’t count on it working

– Notebook choices– Writing instruments

• What not to bring– Cell phone– Pager– Chewing Gum

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• List of questions

– Write out the main questions you want to ask– DO NOT write them on your notebook with

space after each one– Maybe just a list of main points

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• Start with the easy questions

– Good time to confirm name spelling (don’t ask this if there is a sign on his or her desk)

– Title • these can change from published material, unless

the promotion is why you’re there– Other basic info if you have questions

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• Ask the general questions first• LISTEN to their answers

– They will frequently answer more than one of your questions at a time.

• If their answers lead you to a better story, just keep writing and follow that vein

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Interviewing nuts and bolts• Empathy is important• Silence is helpful • Non-verbal cues• Body language• Look them in the eye

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Interviewing and accuracy• No one wants to be misquoted• No good reporter wants to misquote a

source• Arrange for a possible call back to check

accuracy of quotes, fill in any blanks– Call back even if you really don’t need to– Send an email or note thanking source for

their time

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Interviewing• Conclusion

– Anything that I haven’t ask that I should have?– Anything else you’d like to add?– Give them your contact information (telephone

is probably best)• Review your notes (flip through)• Put the pen away. Open your ears• Tell them when the story may appear• Offer to send additional copies