Interviewing in Journalism

The First Step

Figure out exactly what it is that you want to find out.

The Third Step

Decide what KIND of interview will work best.

Prepare questions BEFORE the interview

• Know what you’re going to ask• Get background info on your subject• Ask OPEN-ENDED questions – Don’t

ask “Yes/No” questions (they stop the interview)

• Be straightforward – don’t make a speech with your questions

-EST questions

• AVOID these types of questions• Example: Asking a father, “What was

your proudest moment?” – It limits him to JUST ONE proud moment.

• Example words: Best, worst, most, least, (any superlative word)

STOCK (G.O.S.S.) questions

• Use these when you have to conduct an interview with no or very little advance warning

• Goals (What do hope to accomplish with this?)• Obstacles (What stands in the way of this?)• Solutions (How can you overcome these

obstacles?• Start (How did this all begin? Whose ideas was

it?)

Embarrassing questions

• As a journalist, you MUST ask these, BUT, keep good taste in mind.

• Don’t pry; don’t snoop• Don’t ask hostile or loaded question• Get to the truth, however• Ask as politely as you can• If you don’t get an answer, ask again

Listening to responses

• Pay attention to how a question is answered

• Is the subject calm or fidgety? • Watch body language. It can sometimes

tell you more than the answer the subject gave you.

LAST THING TO ASK

“Is there anything else I should know?

Conducting the Interview• Don’t use the word “interview.”• Instead say “Would you have some

time for a meeting or time to talk with me….”

• Arrive ON TIME• Get down the CORRECT spelling of their

name, family status, job title, years in current position

Conducting the Interview cont.

• Ask the MOST IMPORTANT questions first

• If they have to leave suddenly, you want to make sure you got the most important answers you needed.

Conducting the Interview cont.

• Ask the MOST IMPORTANT questions first

• If they have to leave suddenly, you want to make sure you got the most important answers you needed.