The document provides guidance on conducting interviews for a project. It outlines steps like choosing people with relevant expertise or experience to interview, getting their permission to be recorded, focusing the question to get their opinion on a clear topic, writing the question grammatically, and asking it in a way the interviewee will understand. The document emphasizes being prepared with well-focused questions and properly functioning recording equipment so the interviews gather the intended information.

1. Interviewing Techniques
E. Siler

2. Choosing Appropriate People
• Should have the authority to answer the
question. Thus you should decide on the
types of people you want opinions from:
Experts? People who have studied the field?
Random students?
• Check your equipment and BE SURE you know
how to use it and how to adjust for soft/loud
voices, etc.

3. Before You Tape Them
• Tell them about the project.
• Explain who will hear their answers --- only
your teacher and you.
• Get their recorded permission to record their
voice and keep that permission. Have them
say something like, “I give permission to have
my recorded answers used as part of (your
name’s) English 403 project.”

4. Focusing the Question
• Be sure you have a clear context for the
question.
• Be sure the question you want answered is
clear, grammatical, and stated in such a way as
to make it clear you want an opinion.
• Check your recording to be sure you have a
clear answer.

5. Writing a Grammatical Question
• Remember that the question you will ask will
be direct. Ex: What should the developed
countries of the world do about failing states?
• The question you present in your MP3 will be
indirect. Ex: So I wanted to know what
developed countries should do about failing
states.

6. Question Grammar
• Question Grammar: Be SURE that when you
ask your question, you ask it grammatically.
• Question Word Choice: Be sure you are
asking an opinion question (ex: What should
be done?) --- not just a flat question (What do
these countries do?).
• Question Style: It’s best to ask the question
two different ways to ensure that your listener
understands.

7. Getting Help With Questions
• If you are having trouble with questions,
review the second set of slides attached to
this lesson!