1. Writing the I Search Interview

2. Don’t forget… FIRST YOU NEED TO WRITE YOUR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS! *Make sure you record the date and time of the interview. *Face-to-Face: describe the setting of the interview in your notes. Avoid these question traps: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ owl/resource/559/06/ You are writing questions to a formal audience. You need to sound professional when you are introducing yourself and asking questions. Use formal writing conventions in email/Facebook interviews. Example: Dear Professor Marks, My name is Kelly Taylor and I am a senior at Antioch Community High School in Antioch, IL. Currently, I am conducting research on the causes and effects of eating disorders. Because of your expertise in this area, I was wondering if you could answer a few brief questions. Your professional opinion will provide me with invaluable insight for my research paper. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kelly Taylor ktaylor@sequoits.com (847) 395-1421 Provide your full contact information

3. Writing the Interview Section Read over your interviews, and draw conclusions. Use those conclusions to develop a thesis statement. Outline the main points that will support that thesis (decide how you want to organize this section) – Will it be an extension of your background section or have a completely different feel? Begin the paper with an anecdote about your interview experience or about an interviewee. End the intro with your thesis.

4. Writing the Interview Section Write this section in a narrative style : – Use information from the interview with a thesis statement telling who and why you interviewed the individual – Use direct quotes in addition to your own reflection and interpretation of the interview. – Set the scene and use imagery (be creative). – Tell different anecdotes the interviewee shared with you. – Use the questions asked during the interview to back up the thesis and to share information about the interviewee. – Share any funny anecdotes as well as serious anecdotes about the interviewee.

5. Sample Topic: Anorexia Bad General Question : Do you still not eat and think you look gross? Bad question to school source: Hey, can you tell me what kids struggle and why? Good General Question: Can you describe the struggles you still have with your disorder? Good question to school source: What percentage of students that you meet with struggle with eating disorders? What advice do you provide for these students, and what resources do you have for them?

6. Sample Topic: Anorexia Bad Paragraph While interviewing the school psychologist, I asked, “Can you tell me what kids struggle?” He responded by telling me that he couldn’t give me any specifics about our students, so I went on to the next question. I then asked, “Do anorexics really think they look fat.” “Yes, they do,” he said. Good Paragraph Eating disorders affect a startling number of teens. The school psychologist at ACHS reported that 12.3% of students have gone an entire day without eating to try and lose weight. He explained why this is a problem. “There is more pressure today than ever before to look thin like celebrities; however, obesity in America is through the roof. Therefore, many teens are in conflict.” I have observed this terrible trend and have friends that obsess about weight loss, yet go to McDonalds and scarf two double cheeseburgers. This led me to discuss teen health trends with our resident expert, Mrs. Klobnak.