Basic Interviewing Strategies for New Student Reporters

Journalism 1 + 2

© 2012 Prof. Holly K. Johnson

Preparation

• KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS: What kind of information do you want to get out of the interview?

• RESEARCH: Get as much info as possible before you go to the interview. Use the web, archives, your editor, and any other source familiar with the topic to get prepared.

Overcoming Shyness

Have a plan

Rehearse

Admit that you’re nervous/shy

Allow yourself the right to feel scared and to make mistakes

Bring a classmate or editor for extra support

Praise yourself for the times that you overcome your shyness

Practice a lot - it will get easier!

Whom do I talk to?

Who is closest to the action? Whoever is closest to the action is the person you

want to talk to first.

Can my editor point me in the right direction? Your editor or someone who has experience with

your “beat” will usually be able to offer some tips for who to talk to.

How do I use an organization chart? An org chart shows who is in charge of what at an

institution and who is higher up the chain of command. It’s a good way to start identifying potential interview subjects.

Be professional. Be prepared.o Turn off your cell phone!

o Use standard English. (Also, don’t swear).

o Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard.

o If you don’t understand something, ask for it to be repeated or explained in more detail.

o Don’t be afraid to pause before responding.

Prioritize your questions

Pick the most important questions from your list, the ones you think your audience will be most interested in (about 3 or 4 of them), and number them in order of importance

Set up the interview

Call - Use online directories and phonebooks to find phone numbers then call the person you want to interview to set up a time to meet

If you left a message and don’t hear back by the next business day at noon, call again

Go to the person’s office

Email is a last resort when reporting

Last resort

DO NOT WEAR:

How to start

FIRST QUESTION = Get the person’s name and title correct.

Make sure you get contact info and let them know you will be calling or emailing to double check your facts.

Start with easier questions first.

Note body posture and behavior as you go along.

Follow where they lead, but also keep on track.

On the record? • Off the record means

nothing said by the source can be used in the story

• On background means you can’t use the source’s name, but you can use the information if it supports other named sources

• On the record means you can use the source’s name and information they provide

WHO ARE YOU?You must attribute every

quote to a source. When the source is a person,

you must give identifying information including:

1. name, 2. title (if any), 3. township of residence (if

not a member of the school)

4. or year and major for students.

?

Anonymous Sources?People can only be used

anonymously if using their name could put them in harm’s way.

If someone won’t give you their name, but they won’t be in harm’s way if they do, then they cannot be an anonymous source. Find someone who WILL go on the record.

?

Reword your questions so they’re open ended

If a question can lead to a yes/no or maybe/I don’t know answer, it’s not open ended

Think of ways to reword your questions so they will bring out more complex answers

Things go wrong when:Things go wrong when: Your questions are poorly organized You have not done enough research It’s not clear what your purpose is The interview subject says something

interesting but you don’t follow up on it, you just go to your next question

You make the interview about you rather than about them.

You go in with an agenda.

What to do to get back on track?

Stop, collect yourself.

Regroup and change tactics.

Evaluate what and where things went wrong.

Try different tactics next time around.

END

Thank you, thank you very much.