Interviewing
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The document provides guidelines for conducting interviews for news writing and feature stories. It discusses structuring interviews using either a funnel or inverted-funnel approach. It also covers asking open-ended and closed-ended questions, following up, framing questions, establishing rapport, making observations, and taking effective notes during the interview. The key is preparing well, listening actively, and adapting questioning based on the interviewee's responses.
Interviewing
- 1. ACJ3053 News Writing & Feature Writing INTERVIEWING 1
- 2. Guideline to follow Make an appointment Identify yourself Consider your source’s convenience Describe the story Dress the part Be on time 2
- 3. Structuring an Interview Funnel Interview Most common and most relaxing. The toughest questions saved for near the end. Start with background questions, followed by open-ended question then followed by closed-ended questions. Beginning with general, easy-to-answer has a good chance of establishing rapport with the source. When the tough questioning begins, the source is more likely to respond candidly. 3
- 4. Structuring an Interview Inverted-Funnel Interview The key questions are asked immediately. This style of interview is used with people, such as law enforcement, officer or government officials. Inverted-funnel interviews are mostly used in breaking news stories when there is little time to ask questions. 4
- 5. Asking Questions Planning Questions Memorize or write down important questions. Do homework – read previous news or conduct preliminary interviews. Additional questions might pop-up during the interview – jot them down. Avoid staring and reading from your note pad Listen to the interviewee. Make eye contact. 5
- 6. Asking Questions Closed-ended Questions Timing and wording of questions during an interview can affect source response. Some interview need quick, short and specific answers. The best way is to ask closed-ended questions. The question showed the reporter has interviewed other people and know most of the answers. Don’t afraid to ask tough question but don’t ask nonsense questions. 6
- 7. Asking Questions Open-ended Questions Used when short, precise answer is not immediately necessary. It allows a source more time to develop an answer – less intimidating. It is a good way to break the ice and established rapport before a more detailed closed-ended questions being asked. 7
- 8. Asking Questions Open-ended or Closed-ended? How the subject react to certain question? Reserved closed-ended question when the source is relaxed and begin to open up. The length of the interview If an important source who is rushed for the time is being interviewed, get to the heart of the interview by asking specific questions. 8
- 9. Asking Questions Asking Personal Questions Do your homework. Try to interview the person face-to-face. Interview in a casual setting. Break the ice with general questions. If the interview is being taped, try not to turn the recorder right away. Sometimes, it is easier not to ask question at all. Preface the question. Coax an uncooperative source. 9
- 10. Asking Questions Using follow-up Questions Follow-up questions – rearticulate their questions or ask another question to elicit a new or a more specific response from a source. You need to: Do necessary homework and ask appropriate open- ended questions. Listen intently to the response. Know the subject well and able to interpret the response quickly and followed with another question. 10
- 11. Asking Questions Framing Questions Reporters should know what is the theme and purpose of study before begin the interviewing process. E.g. – the success of a restaurant owner, crooked politician, how people cope with increasing crime in Malaysia, etc. Once determined, the questions can be framed so that the interview will help the reporter to achieve it. Interviews are vital in a feature story – they bring it to life – without interview, there is no story. Question must be framed so that the sources can help to tell the story. Preparation is the key for making the interview to fit the story – have a list of questions, if not specific. 11
- 12. Asking Questions Establishing Rapport Reporters must establish rapport with their sources as quickly as possible – the key to getting their questions answered. Most sources will not answer questions candidly until they have “warmed-up” to the reporter. Guidelines: Try to conduct the interview in person. Begin with general, easy-to-answer question. Do not ask vague questions. Don’t beat around the bushes. Avoid arguing Listen Be open to any response. 12
- 13. Asking Questions Making & Using Observation When reporters write accurately what source has said, audience can “hear”. When reporters observe and report the source mannerism and surroundings, the audience can see. Observation add color to stories, which means they give audience clearer picture of a person or event. When reporting, keep in mind: Unusual or common about the person or place. How articulate the source. Observation are vital to features, and sometimes for news stories. Only reporters can obtain observation. 13
- 14. Asking Questions Taking notes Using recorder The advantage is reporters can make eye contact But still have to take notes too – in case malfunctioning recorder. Recorder also have disadvantage: Intimidate your source. Waste time because reporters have to listen back. Great advantage of recorder is it is permanent, precise and prevent from misquoting. The reporter take note to remember key points. 14
- 15. Asking Questions Taking notes Take sufficient notes Write faster Managing note pad Using symbols Asking for repetition 15