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Ps and Qs of Interviews
- 1. P’s & Q’s of Interviews How to mind your manners when talking to sources
- 2. Melanie Mason Senior at Indiana University-Bloomington (GO HOOSIERS) Studying to be a Journalism Teacher Originally from Northwest Indiana • Schererville
- 3. Why mind your manners? You’re on the student publication (newspaper, yearbook) You need to be professional! Build rapport so when you want to talk to them in the future they think “Oh, yes they were so nice to talk to.”
- 4. So you know who you want to talk to…now what? You’ve come up with your story idea You’ve thought who would be the best sources Now what do you do??
- 5. Make an appointment Once you choose your source make an appointment to talk to them If administrator call or visit their office Don’t wait till the last minute and expect them to talk to you right now If possible, let them choose where to meet with you
- 6. Why? Administrators and teachers are busy busy people It’s rude to just barge in and assume they have time for you If they don’t have time…then you lose the interview! Interviewing them in a place they’re comfortable is always best!
- 7. Come prepared! Have your questions ready and be ready to write Know a little bit about your source (if it’s the basketball coach know how long he’s been coaching)
- 8. Why? You’ll look more professional if you’re ready for your interview You can always ask different questions but it’s good to be ready You don’t want to forget anything important!
- 9. Introduce Yourself Shake hands Introduce yourself Tell them what publication your with Take the time to explain what the story is about and why they’re an important source SPEAK SLOWLY!!!!
- 10. Why? This can help relax the subject It lets them know who you are and why you want to talk to them
- 11. Taking notes & Listening Make sure you listen If your source is talking too fast ask him/her to slow down(politely of course) If you miss something or don’t understand, ASK! They won’t mind!! You don’t have to follow your interview questions in order.
- 12. Why? You want to quote them correctly! It’s better to ask them to slow down or repeat than to get something wrong
- 13. Ending the Interview Ask them if they have anything else they want to add Thank the person for their time Let them know you’ll get in touch with them if you have more questions
- 14. Why? They may have something to say that you didn’t ask about You may have questions later and may need to get back in touch with them
- 15. Examples 1
- 16. Example 2
- 17. Example 3
- 18. Example 4
Editor's Notes
- What’s rapport? Good reputation
- ListeningFollowing your list of questions exactly-you can deviate or skip a question that the source has already answered. Interact with your source-if they say something interesting it’s ok to ask them more about that…you don’t have to stick to your list question 1, question 2, etc.
- Kurt Vonnegut is a famous novelist and has writing various books through out his lifetime.What is good about this interview?Builds Rapport, Breaks the ice with his initial questionHe obviously did he research by going back and re-reading Vonnegut’s books and knowing the characters and titles. He was able to use that information in his first question. He uses Vonnegut’s response to question one to ask a follow up question. He uses his background knowledge (knowing Vonnegut was a P.O.W.) to ask him a follow up/clarifying question.
- Weaver, 5th grade, interviews President Barak Obama.Keep in mind he is in 5th grade and he’s interviewing the president which is pretty amazing…but what are a few things he did wrong during this interview?Doesn’t introduce himself. He DOES shake the Presidents hand though which is good.He just keeps reading his questions in order off his notebook. Because he doesn’t really interact with the president by nodding, taking notes, or asking follow up questions it can seem like he isn’t listening….just thinking about his next question.
- Facebook Founder-Mark ZuckerburgWhat was wrong with the first question she asked??If I say to you-Your on the middle school yearbook which is pretty amazing….(stare)…Did I just ask you a question?As a journalist you want to ask “open ended questions”Who knows what the 5W’s and H are? Who what when where why how….if you start your questions with these it will be harder for a source to answer just a plain yes or no!Ie-Your on middle school yearbook, why do you like working on yearbook?Using Zuckerburg’sfacebook page-researching your subject. Part of preparing for the interview. What do you notice about where the first interview takes place? Formal setting, 2 chairs, facing each otherHow did he answer the question? What did you notice about the second place that he was interviewed? In front of a computer on Facebook!!How many of you think he was more comfortable with this second atmosphere?He probably was because that is the environment he is comfortable in? She also talks with him in Facebook headquarters. **By talking to your sources in a place they are comfortable…they may not be as nervous…less nervous usually = better answers!