2. Making The Interview Work Chapter 5 (85-96)

3. The Interview – An Essential Journalistic Skill An interview takes place any time a reporter asks a question This may be a quick phone call or a two-hour chat The type of interview will be determined by what the reporter wants to know: information, facts, opinions, or personal details. Be quiet and listen! Don’t argue – listen!

4. Preparing for the Interview Know what you want to find out Decide who to ask – know who can be expected to know what Go to the primary source of info Ask only what this person is likely to know Decide what kind of interview you need

5. Preparing for the Interview – cont. If you want to know about the district’s referendum, schedule an appointment with superintendent or board If you want 15 opinions on a featured athlete from the school, ask 15 students, coaches, teachers, teammates Always identify yourself as a reporter before asking questions!

6. Asking Questions You must prepare your questions BEFORE the interview Make questions simple and straightforward Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no Ask a question that will get a quotable response – “What do you think of butterflies and rainbows?” is a much better question than “Do you dig butterflies and rainbows the most?”

7. Asking Questions – cont. Ask good questions! What is your dog’s name? Why do you think the citizens of Plymouth don’t support the new referendum? Do you like liverwurst? If funding was available, what would you as an administrator do to upgrade the school? Did you ever see that movie “Harry Potter and the Interview Gone Wrong?” It was awesome. (Think Chris Farley) Chris Farley

8. Asking Questions – cont. Good questions are the key to any successful interview Always keep good taste in mind Don’t pry or snoop Don’t be rude or hostile Always seek the truth

9. Asking Questions – cont. P ay attention to how the question is answered C almly? Nervously? Hesitantly? D oes the interviewee say “That’s a good question...”? “ No comment.” – can be very revealing I f you don’t understand, you must ask for clarification. B efore leaving, ask interviewee if he or she has anything else to add; this can turn a good story into a great one.

10. The Formal Interview In a formal interview... Reporter tries to paint an accurate portrait of a human being

11. The Formal Interview – cont. Do your research, and then make an appointment Start these interviews with basic info (age, family status, etc.) When the tension fades, you can get to the real meat and potatoes

12. Observing actions In formal interview stories, readers should “see” the subject Do this by describing the subject actions and listening for revealing quotes Does subject sit on edge of seat? Rub hands together? Dart eyes around? Pound table for emphasis?

13. Being Friendly Smile, laugh at jokes, maintain eye contact, express interest This helps you get personal details from the subject; remember, nobody likes a grouch!

14. Taking Notes You must take notes or use a voice recorder – no exceptions! Develop your own system of note taking – you must write quickly or use shorthand... something that you can translate later.

15. Writing the Interview Story Avoid general descriptions of subject – don’t say he’s tall; tell the reader he’s 9’11”. Don’t say Spongebob is Lively; say Spongebob laughs as he skips about the room. Don’t say “Coach Smith is athletic”; say “Coach Smith has won four championships and has a plethora of trophies in her office.” Specific details, specific details, specific details!

16. “Using Quotes” Use as many direct quotes as possible. Through quotes, readers come to know the subject, especially if you’ve asked the right questions. Who, what, when, where, why, how? Complete sentence quotes more powerful Leave yourself out of the story – no “I asked...” Yeah, that’s right... direct quotes are pretty sweet

17. Q and A Technique An effective story technique Reporter’s exact questions are reproduced followed by the sources exact answers – a verbatim transcript of the interview Technique allows the reader to determine what’s most important Don’t try it without a voice recorder!

18. An Ethical Question... What if your subject wants to read the story before you publish it?

19. Ethical Question The answer always used to be no; invasion of journalist’s right to print what he/she wanted Now, this happens more and more, but you must keep control of the story If you do let subject read, let him/her know that you don’t have to do it or listen to his/her suggestions

20. Ethical Question Benefits? Good human relations – it shows that you care about accuracy Eliminates mistakes (quotes, figures, statistics, etc.) Difficult to press libel charges if subject has read story prior to printing

21. Format your story Use size 10 times new roman font, single spaced Justify your work Indent three spaces for a new paragraph Use your subject’s full name and title the first time you reference him/her (Mr. Scooby Doo, PHS Principal Mr. Dan Mella) Use subject’s last name for subsequent references (Doo, Mella)

22. Personality Profile Story Assessment Interesting beginning Short paragraphs (1-3 sent.) Logical organization Use of direct quotes Overall content Conventions

23. The End! Now, read the Interviewing guidelines on page 93!