1. INTERVIEWING How to get information from a source?

2. 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.

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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. Tips Establish a rapport Don’t push, don’t threaten, don’t argue.

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

8. 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.

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