T Art of Interviewing - Tara Haelle Wk 6 Interviewing.pdf · result has a rare medical syndrome called "Foreign Accent Syndrome." Since her accident, she speaks with a Swedish accent,

The Art of

Interviewing

or how to get the answers you need for the story your readers want

Assignments This Week

•  3.06 Discussion •  3.07 Paraphrasing and Transitions •  3.09 Discussion

NEWS STORY IS DUE MARCH 9 NEWS STORY IS DUE MARCH 9

NEWS STORY IS DUE MARCH 9 NEWS STORY DUE MARCH 9

NEWS STORY DUE MARCH 9

NEWS STORY DUE MARCH 9 NEWS STORY DUE MARCH 9 NEW STORY DUE 3/9/12

Discussion 3.06 •  You CHOOSE your scenario: •  Scenario A

You will be interviewing a man who is a local hero because he jumped into a river and saved two children. He doesn't want to be interviewed because he is an undocumented worker who is afraid of deportation. He left the scene of the heroic rescue before anyone could identify him, but a reporter tracked him down and the man reluctantly agreed to be interviewed if his identity is protected.

•  Scenario B You will be interviewing the first place winner of the National Spelling Bee. She is extremely shy and soft-spoken. As first place winner, she wins a $20,000 scholarship. She is the first person in her family who will go to college.

Discussion 3.06, Cont. Scenario C •  You will be interviewing a political candidate who is running for office.

He mischaracterized whether he reimbursed a campaign contributor for his use of the man's private jet. He implied that he reimbursed the contributor but in fact he did not. This is his first interview since the flap erupted.

Scenario D •  You will be interviewing a woman who suffered a head injury and as a

result has a rare medical syndrome called "Foreign Accent Syndrome." Since her accident, she speaks with a Swedish accent, even though she is American and has never been to Sweden or known anyone who was Swedish. People treat her oddly and sometimes even make fun of her. Her life has been ruined by this affliction, and there is no cure. She wants people to understand what she is going through.

Discussion 3.06, Cont.

•  First think of three to five questions of your own. Once you have these questions prepared, post them to the discussion board.

•  As a group you will decide together which 10 questions are the best ones to use. As a group, place them in a strategic order, and write 10 follow-up questions for those questions that you anticipate will elicit answers that may require further probing.

Discussion 3.09 •  THIS DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON THE STORY YOU ARE

CURRENTLY WORKING ON – THE SAME STORY YOU TURNED IN FOR YOUR STORY PROPOSAL.

•  Post a sentence or two describing your news story idea and your list of interview questions.

•  Comment on at least TWO other students’ entries using the Peer Review Checklist w Interview Questions.

•  Read one other student's submission and, using the Peer Review Checklist w Interview Questions, provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

The Interview:

• Mirrors a good conversation

The Art of Interviewing

• Purpose is to gain information: 5 Ws & H Background Personal Reactions Quotes

• Formal conversation between reporter and source(s) for story


Types of Sources • Primary: person or document that is essential to understanding the story

Types of Interviews • One-on-One • News Conference

• Secondary: person or document that adds information & interest but is not essential


Types of Attribution • On-the-Record – you may use quotes and

information attributable to the source by name • Not for Attribution; Background – you can

use the info but you protect source’s identity • Deep Background – you may use the info

but offer no description of how you got the information • Off-the-Record – you cannot use the

information at all. Don’t do it!

A Four-Step Process •  Planning


•  Preparing

•  The Interview

•  Note taking

Planning • Decide what information is

needed


•  Decide what sources you need

• Contact your sources to set up interviews

Planning - Sources Is the source reliable?


Do they know what they are talking about?

Do they have a reason to tell the truth or lie?

What do they really know?

Who else can verify what they said?

Who can accurately answer questions vs who can authoritatively answer questions?

Preparing •  Research source(s) for background

Know who you’re talking to


•  Research topic for background Know what you’re talking about

•  Brainstorm at least 20 questions Type of questions will depend on info needed

The Actual Interview   Show you’re interested in the

person and the story

  Establish rapport - set the tone, don’t make them angry or defensive


  Start with easy questions; save tough ones for last

  Know what questions will get the best answers

  Ask neutral, open-ended questions

  Anticipate follow-up questions

Five Types of Questions •  Yes/no questions

Usually require short answers, try to avoid these; use to verify basic information

(date & time; name spelling etc)


•  Open-ended questions A chance for subject to say anything he

wants (in what ways; how and why questions; anything which cannot be answered yes/no)

•  Agree/disagree questions Gives respondent chance to take a stand but follow with “please explain”


•  Biographical questions Reveals the personal life of the subject - questions must relate to the story

•  Follow-up questions - thinking on your feet Questions that come after a source’s response to get more information or elaboration - usually how did this make you feel? then what did you do? what was the result of your action/statement?

•  What NOT to do…. Don’t ask more than one question at a time Don’t ask biased questions Don’t ask questions that make an assumption Don’t ask leading questions


•  ALWAYS ask these three questions at the end of the interview: Is there anything you want to add

that I didn’t ask? If I have follow-up questions, may I

contact you? Do you prefer phone or email?

Is there anyone else you think I

should contact for an interview?


Note taking •  Takes skill

Requires listening, writing down all information and observing body language


•  Be accurate This is key in quoting someone and in getting the facts. This is also your only defense against charges of misquoting someone.

Note taking •  To record or not to record?

Don’t rely on technology! Use recorders but still take notes - recorders malfunction!


•  Transcribe your notes immediately Don’t rely on your memory! Write it down while it is fresh on your mind

•  Keep your notes - all of them! Your only protection against charges of inaccuracy is to have your notes and tapes for your defense

Documents

T Art of Interviewing - Tara Haelle Wk 6 Interviewing.pdf · result has a rare medical syndrome called "Foreign Accent Syndrome." Since her accident, she speaks with a Swedish accent,