Interviewing guidelines

There are three ways to gather information for your story – research, observation and interviewing. Of these, interviewing is clearly the most important. It can be done in person, over the phone, and now even by e-mail. It can be extensive or just a few questions. In whatever form, it is the key to the stories you write. Your ability to talk to people is the difference between being a mediocre reporter and a good one.

Most interviews seek to achieve one or more of the following goals:

- Obtain the interviewee’s knowledge about the topic;

- Obtain the interviewee’s opinion and/or feelings about the topic;

- Feature the interviewee as the subject.

It’s important that you know exactly why you are conducting an interview and which goal(s) you are aiming for. Stay focused on questions and techniques which will achieve them.

Research the subject and the interviewee thoroughly. You will be expected to have a basic knowledge of your subject and the person. Do not roll up to an interview with a band and ask them how many albums they have released – you should know this already. If you show your ignorance, you lose credibility and risk being ridiculed.

Have a list of questions. It seems obvious but some people don’t think of it. The best way to have a spontaneous conversation is to have questions ready. That way you can relax, knowing that you will not miss an important topic. Of course many interviewees will ask for a list of questions before hand, or you might decide to provide one to help them prepare. Ask the subject if there are any particular questions they would like you to ask.

Listen. Be sure to smile. A smile, they say, is lubrication for the words and collaborator of the eyes in contact. A smile helps both you and your subject relax. A common mistake is to be thinking about the next question while the subject is answering the previous one, to the point that the interviewer misses some important information. This can lead to all sorts of embarrassing outcomes.

Find a good location. People are often more comfortable (and open) when they’re in a familiar place or what feels like “their territory.”

Decide how you will dress. You would dress differently for a hockey player than for the mayor. Ask yourself, how will my subject be dressed? Avoid anything in your dress that could be considered impertinent, flashy, sloppy or rebellious.

There are many possible settings for conducting interviews. The first one to become familiar with is the seated interview. Whether it is in a permanent studio or someone’s living room, you need to arrange the interviewer, guest(s) and cameras to achieve the look and feel which best suits your objectives.

When the source is speaking, nod or make some verbal remark to show you are listening and understand. Sit on the edge of your chair and lean forward. This is a posture that projects an eager, positive attitude. Observe and record the person's body language, mannerisms, dress, and physical features. These allow you to paint a word picture for your reader and may reveal something that is not being said. Observe and record the sights and sounds of the surroundings. Take good notes during the interview in a handwriting you will be able to read later. Take too many notes rather than too few.

Think of your meeting with the subject as a structured but friendly conversation, not an interview

(from “Introduction to Mass Communications” by E. Emery).

Дата добавления: 2015-07-11