This document provides guidance on writing a personality profile or feature article about an individual person. It emphasizes the importance of thorough research on the subject using various online sources. Reporters are advised to prepare a set of questions organized by theme before conducting an in-person interview where they should observe details about the subject's personality and environment. After the interview, reporters should reflect on how to structure the profile around a central theme or angle revealed by the background research and conversation.

1. Jessica Thompson
AM112

3.  Background
 Anecdotes
 Quotes
 Observations
 Comments
 News Peg

4.  The personality profile is an article about an
individual.
 A portrait of a person in words.
 It should include description, action and
dialogue (plenty of quotations).
 It’s a feature about a person; not a Q&A.

5.  “Exhaustive research is the basic building block of
a successful interview.” - Clyde Haberman,
columnist with The New York Times.
 “The preparation is the same whether you are
going to interview a diplomat, a jockey, or an
ichthyologist. From the man's past you learn what
questions are likely to stimulate a response.” - A.J.
Liebling, The Most of A.J. Liebling

6.  Google the person for background: Twitter,
personal websites, books written, etc.
 Check Google News for any recent news on
him/her.
 It if it’s a local story, check the local papers
for any recent news.
 Read other interviews with the person you are
profiling.

7.  Research gives the reporter ideas for themes
and specific questions.
 Research gives the reporter a feel for the
story and for the person they will be
interviewing.
 Research provides the reporter with useful
background information

8.  Research shows the subject that you have
done the work and you understand the story.
 Research will help you to avoid embarrassing
situations such as: “That information is on my
website, you should look it up.”
 Research will separate the boys from the
men, and will mean the difference between a
boring discussion for the interviewee, or a
chat that they enjoy.

9.  Find someone you think it
interesting/newsworthy.
 Why are they interesting/newsworthy?
 Take 10 or 15 minutes to discuss this person
and what would be relevant for a profile.
 Consider what type of publication you would
do this profile for.
 Feel free to consider it as part of your end-
of-year group project.

10.  Like all other stories, profiles must have an
angle or primary theme.
 The theme should be introduced at the
beginning and should run throughout the
article.
 Aim to reveal something about the person’s
character through that theme.

11.  Do the interview in person.
 Watch and listen.
 Spend time with the person while they work,
if possible.
 Bring a recording device with you to capture
quotes.
 Bring a notepad with you to capture
observations.

12.  What’s your goal?
 What type of story do you want to write?
 What space will you have to tell your story?
 Where will it be published?
 Who will read it?
 What’s your angle?
 What’s interesting about this person?

13.  Decide your angle
 Get background information
 Talk to people who know them
 Prepare your questions
 Prepare your equipment.

14.  Make sure you have your tools: notepad, pen,
recorder, camera if necessary.
 Test your tape recorder: use headphones to
check the sound.
 Meet the interviewee somewhere they will be
comfortable and at a time they aren’t too busy.
 Ask for consent before recording.
 Get that resent on tape: “I’ve just pressed record,
is that ok?”
 Prepare questions in advance and group them
into categories if necessary.

15.  Relax: he/she is probable more nervous than
you are.
 Make sure he/she is comfortable speaking to
you. Begin with small talk if needed.
 Be friendly to encourage them to open up.
 Nod and smile to encourage them to keep
speaking.
 Listen and add impromptu questions where
needed.
 Go with the flow.

16.  Observe the interviewee and take in little
details of their personality.
 Use your notepad to record these.
 Note details of the subject’s environment as
well as personality and habits.
 Note what he/she is wearing.
 Take some notes even if you’re recording.
Batteries die and technology can let you
down.
 Check on the recorder from time to time to
make sure it’s still going.

17.  Thank them for their time.
 Ask if you can contact them if you have any
further questions.
 Tell them to contact you if they feel they’ve
missed something.
 Give them a timeline for when you plan to
write the piece and where it will be published.
 Don’t agree to show it to them before
publication unless it’s necessary.

18.  Reflect on the interview and try to list your
pain points of the story.
 Come up with a theme if you’ve spotted a
better one during the conversation.
 Transcribe the recording if you have one.
 Rewrite your notes as soon as possible to
make sure they make sense.
 Contact the source again to supply missing
information.
 There’s no harm in a friendly email to thank
them for their time.

19.  Look at the newspapers provided and try to
find a profile piece.
 Is this a good profile or a bad profile?
 What is good or bad about the profile?
 What extra questions do you think you would
have asked?

20. Jessica Thompson
jessicathompson152@gmail.com
editor@sin.ie
@Jess__Thompson