PHL 2350, Philosophies of World Religions
Journalistic Interviewing Techniques
1. Do your research!
2. Find a good subject (person) for the interview (Not everyone has an interesting story.).
3. Keep an open mind—don’t assume you know exactly where the interview is going to go or you
will be in danger of drawing conclusions that perhaps the interviewee is not making.
4. Ask about the interviewee’s actions. How do they reflect her beliefs?
5. Ask open ended questions.
6. Ask questions that make the interviewee give reason and meaning for her beliefs.
7. Understand you should ask for different types of information: facts, opinions, feelings,
interpretations, etc.
8. Be careful to not make judgments with your questions.
9. Avoid asking biased questions.
a. Biased: Don’t you agree that women should be more prominent in the leadership roles in
your faith tradition?
b. Unbiased: Is the prominence of women leaders in your faith tradition a problem?
10. Avoid asking questions that are unrelated to what you want to learn.
.
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PHL 2350, Philosophies of World Religions Journalistic I.docx
1. PHL 2350, Philosophies of World Religions
Journalistic Interviewing Techniques
1. Do your research!
2. Find a good subject (person) for the interview (Not everyone
has an interesting story.).
3. Keep an open mind—don’t assume you know exactly where
the interview is going to go or you
will be in danger of drawing conclusions that perhaps the
interviewee is not making.
4. Ask about the interviewee’s actions. How do they reflect her
beliefs?
5. Ask open ended questions.
6. Ask questions that make the interviewee give reason and
meaning for her beliefs.
7. Understand you should ask for different types of information:
facts, opinions, feelings,
interpretations, etc.
8. Be careful to not make judgments with your questions.
9. Avoid asking biased questions.
a. Biased: Don’t you agree that women should be more
prominent in the leadership roles in
your faith tradition?
2. b. Unbiased: Is the prominence of women leaders in your faith
tradition a problem?
10. Avoid asking questions that are unrelated to what you want
to learn.
