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A beginner's guide to getting the most out of talking to strangers. For journalism students and anyone who's interested in how to talk with people and come away with a story.
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The art of the interview
A beginner’s guide to getting the most out of talking to strangers
The first interview?
Fear itself
Research your subject
Prepare a list of questions
Make an appointment
• Do this as early as possible
• Email is fine for an initial inquiry
• If no response; then call. If no answer, then visit her office.
The ethics of interviewing
Bringing back the story
• To record or not to record?
• What type of notebook should you bring?
• Do you need to know shorthand?
• Telephone interviews– Ease of typing– All the more reason to
be careful recording
Special considerations
Special considerations
• Direct quotes and indirect quotes
Special considerations
• Direct quotes and indirect quotes• Fragmentary quotes when necessary– He said he would “go ballistic” if city officials tried
to shut down his business.
Special considerations
• Direct quotes and indirect quotes• Fragmentary quotes when necessary– He said he would “go ballistic” if city officials tried
to shut down his business.• Off-the-record requests– Try to keep everything on the record– Ask what she means by “off the record”– How to handle ex post facto requests
The magic questions
• Is there anything I should have asked you but didn’t?
• Who else do you think should I talk to?
