Some of your compelling quotes

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“The greatest gift of being a POW was fainting.”

Some of your compelling quotes

“You’re here to fly, fight and that’s it.”

Some of your compelling quotes

“I became a supply sergeant because I would always buy the captain a Dr. Pepper. In those days it only cost $.05.”

Some of your compelling quotes

“Americans are so lucky and very spoiled.”

Some of your compelling quotes

In-person interview

Main types of interviews

In-person interviewPhoner

Main types of interviews

In-person interviewPhonerEmail

Main types of interviews

In-person interviewPhonerEmailScrum (lots of people on one interviewee)

Main types of interviews

Homework

Setting up the interview

HomeworkWho are the sources and the best way to

reach them: live, phoner or email?

Setting up the interview

HomeworkWho are the sources and the best way to

reach them: live, phoner or email?Ask if photos are allowed if needed

Setting up the interview

Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc.

Prep for interview

Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc.

Write out questions or topics

Prep for interview

Barbara writes out 500 questions!

Don’t waste people’s time on facts you should know: correct spelling of company name, politician’s background, etc.

Write out questions or topicsHow you phrase your questions will affect the

answers you get: “Don’t you think that Sarasota should spend more money on the homeless?” vs “What, if anything, should Sarasota do to help the homeless?”

Prep for interview

Dress appropriately for interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxed

During interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxedYou’re in charge

During interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxedYou’re in chargeStart with basics

During interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxedYou’re in chargeStart with basicsKeep questions simple, rather than multi-

faceted

During interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxedYou’re in chargeStart with basicsKeep questions simple, rather than multi-

facetedAsk open-ended questions! Avoid those that

can be answered “yes” or “no.”

During interview

If you’re relaxed, source will be relaxedYou’re in chargeStart with basicsKeep questions simple, rather than multi-

facetedAsk open-ended questions! Avoid those that

can be answered “yes” or “no.”Be sure questions get answered, especially

with politicians

During interview

Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear

During interview, deux

Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear

Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that?

During interview, deux

Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear

Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that?

Be flexible, follow the twists and turns

During interview, deux

Rephrase questions if you don’t get what you want or it’s unclear

Ask follow-ups: How do you know that? Can you give me an example? What is the thought behind that?

Be flexible, follow the twists and turnsNote the “color” facts

During interview, deux

“Your purpose in conducting an interview is partly to get facts, but you also want color; you want anecdotes; you want quotes; you want material that will give readers an impression of the interviewee’s personality,” Max Gunther said.

Ask who else to contact

Afterwards

Ask who else to contactAsk if you can call back later for more

questions

Afterwards

Ask who else to contactAsk if you can call back later for more

questionsThank your source

Afterwards

Ask who else to contactAsk if you can call back later for more

questionsThank your sourceReview your notes soon to be sure it’s all

clear

Afterwards

Different sets of ground rules for interviews

On, off the record, on background

Different sets of ground rules for interviewsThe vast majority of interviews are “on the

record”: everything is for publication

On, off the record, on background

Different sets of ground rules for interviewsThe vast majority of interviews are “on the

record”: everything is for publication“Off the record”: information can’t be printed

or used in any form

On, off the record, on background

Different sets of ground rules for interviewsThe vast majority of interviews are “on the

record”: everything is for publication“Off the record”: information can’t be printed

or used in any form“On background”: can use stuff, but no

attribution

On, off the record, on background

Different sets of ground rules for interviewsThe vast majority of interviews are “on the

record”: everything is for publication“Off the record”: information can’t be printed

or used in any form“On background”: can use stuff, but no

attributionMake sure you and source agree on rules…

before interview begins

On, off the record, on background

Famous journo fails

Essential to all media outlets… add color and other voices to your stories

Quotations

Essential to all media outlets… add color and other voices to your stories

After you’ve done all your interviews, now the fun begins… how do you use the material you’ve got?

Quotations

Types of quotes

Direct quote: word for word what a source told you. Begins and ends with quotation mark. Requires an attribution. Reserve for color, prominence and relevancy.

“I’ve attended many different schools and Learning & Families’ teachers are the absolute bomb,” said Malia Obama. “I’m especially crazy about my Constitutional literacy class.”

Types of quotes

Indirect quote: AKA paraphrase. You summarize what a person told you. Don’t use quote marks or exact words. Necessary because people fumble around with words or you can just say it better than they can.

Presidential daughter Malia Obama believes that Learning & Families teachers far surpass those of the 14 other schools she’s attended.

Types of quotes

Partial quote: You just grab a phrase or a few words and stick them in quote marks. Handy for highlighting rambling speakers. Don’t “overuse” them.

First Daughter Malia Obama said Learning & Family teachers are “way cool” compared to the “total losers” she had at both private and public schools.

Types of quotes

Dialogue: Word for word discussion between two people. Use sparingly.

“LAF is better than a One Direction concert,” Malia Obama said.

“Spot on girlfriend,” Kristen Stewart agreed. “I learned all my acting chops from my journalism teacher.”

Types of quotes

Obvious quotesQuote ledesOveruseDialectsDon’t use *%$&*#

Quote no-nos

Attribution

Your sources give you facts, opinions and sometimes lies… your job is to sort them all out

Attribution

Your sources give you facts, opinions and sometimes lies… your job is to sort them all out

For anything other than a provable fact or common knowledge, you generally need an attribution

Attribution

First time you ID a source, use full name and title. After that, last name only.

Melissa Martin, director of co-ops for Learning & Families, said that the journalism students were the best in the school.

“The journalisters remind me of a Mensa meeting,” Martin said.

Attribution style

Put attribution after the quote if it’s just a single sentence:

“Justin Bieber makes me hurl,” the young concertgoer said.

If quote is two sentences, put it in middle:“Justin Bieber makes me hurl,” the young

concertgoer said. “What a schlep.”

Attribution style

Let’s just stick with “said”Always works and is “neutral” to readers and

listenersCan vary a little if using “said” too muchGenerally use “said” as opposed to “says” but

are exceptions

Said, intoned, stated, declared, opined, shouted, explained, snorted, voiced?

You are going to interview a classmate and write a 500-word story about them

In turn, your subject will interview you and write a 500-word story about you!

Focus on one aspect of their life: favorite hobby or sport; their family; one event that changed their life; future plans, i.e., become attorney or dancer; or other fascinating aspect

Assignment 9/24

Pick a nameTalk with each other for 10 minutes in classThen write list of questions and do interviews

by telephone this weekWrite story and bring to class, MLA stylePages 34-39 of Inside Reporting

Assignment 9/24