The Art of the Interview
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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
- 1. The art of the interview A beginner’s guide to getting the most out of talking to strangers
- 3. Fear itself
- 5. Prepare a list of questions
- 6. 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.
- 7. The ethics of interviewing
- 8. 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
- 10. Special considerations • Direct quotes and indirect quotes
- 11. 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.
- 12. 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
- 13. The magic questions • Is there anything I should have asked you but didn’t? • Who else do you think should I talk to?
Editor's Notes
- 1836 — James Gordon Bennett interviews Rosina Townsend, matron of a house of ill repute where an upscale prostitute known as Helen Jewett was murdered. Richard Robinson, 19, was tried and acquitted.
- Students say this is what terrifies them the most. It’s perfectly natural to feel anxiety before an interview. I’m 58, and I still feel anxious before an interview, especially if it’s someone I haven’t sat down with before. And I have some scars and horror stories. But these tips should help you get through it.
- Google. Wikipedia (external links especially). Biographical resources in the library. Newspaper archives.
- Maybe three to five for a short interview, 10 to 12 if you think it’s going to go long. Listen. Always be prepared for the conversation to go off in a different direction.
- Always fully identify yourself and explain what you are doing. Don’t just say, “I’m a Northeastern student. This is for class.” Tell the person your name. And if it’s going to be published on a class blog or website, let them know.
- Explain what is meant by “a two-party state.”
- How can you tell in your notebook what the person actually said and what’s a paraphrase?
- Varieties of off-the-record — background, not for attribution, deep background, etc.