Interviewing techniques

In interviewing, if you are sincere and the sources know that you have compassion, they're going to talk. A lot of the skill is just being

open to what people have to say.

ObservationsAlthough descriptive detail is more common in feature stories, you

need the same observation techniques to gather information for hard news stories. Stories about weather disasters, fires and other

breaking news events also need details based on the reporter's observations.

Observations“The sun-baked High Plains town no longer has a grade school, a high school, a City Hall, a hospital, a water tower, a fire station, a business

district or a main street.It has people, but all 1,400 of them live elsewhere today. The homes

they kept, the rooms where they were born, where they grew old together, now lie in millions of pieces, some of them as small as

matchsticks.”

Gathering Details From Edna Buchanan's book, The Corpse had a familiar face.

What a reporter needs is detail, detail, detail. If a man is shot for playing the same song on a jukebox too many

times, I've got to name that tune. Questions unimportant to police add the color and detail that make a story human. What movie did they see? What color was their car? What did they have in their pockets?

What were they doing the precise moment the bomb exploded or the tornado touched down?

Gathering Details

A question I always ask is “What was everybody wearing?” It has little to do with style. It has everything to do with the time I failed to ask.

A man was shot and dumped into the street by a killer in a pickup truck. The case seemed somewhat routine – if one can ever call murder

routine. But later, I learned that at the time the victim was shot, he was wearing a black taffeta cocktail dress and red high heels. I tracked

down the detectives and asked, “Why didn't you tell me?” “You didn't ask,” they chorused. Now I always ask.

Sensitivity

Public officials vs. privateBe more sensitive to private people.

If a public official utters an outrageous quote, it's fair game. When a private individual does, you could remind the person that it will be

published and make sure that the source will stand by the comment.

Recorders

Not a substitute for good notes.

But good for getting the exact wording, especially when doing investigative work.

Listening tips

Focus on the “hear” and now: Concentrate on what the source is saying now, not what you will ask next.

Practice conversational listening: It's as though you're having a conversation with a friend.

Practice critical listening: Listen on one level for facts, another for good quotes and a third level for elaboration and substantiation.

Listening tipsBe quiet: Do not try to impress the source with what you know.

Be responsive: Make eye contact frequently so your source knows you are listening.

Listen for what is not said: Is the source avoiding a topic. Who or what isn't the source talking about – a family member, a close official,

a crucial part of his/her background?

Listening tipsListen with your eyes: What kind of body language is the source

displaying? Is the source smiling, frowning or exhibiting discomfort when you ask questions?

Be polite: Don't interrupt, wait for the source to pause.

Block personal intrusions: Forget your own personal stuff during the interview.

Be flexible: Don't go on an interview with a rigid agenda of questions. If it goes in another direction...

Note-taking tips

Be prepared: Do not rely solely on electronic equipment. Pens and pencils.

Concentrate: When you hear a good quote or start to hear one, write rapidly. Concentrate on what you are hearing and block everything

until you write the quote.

Use key words: When not trying to write a direct quote, jot down key words.

Note-taking tips Develop a shorthand system: Abbreviate as many words as possible.

Slow the pace: When you are taking notes for the quote, slow the pace of the interview by pausing before your next question until

you've written the quote.

Request repetition: Don't be afraid to ask a source to repeat a quote or fact!

Make eye contact: Don't glue your eyes to your notes.

Note-taking tips Mark things elsewhere: If you hear something that prompts another question in your mind, write it somewhere else than your notes so

you'll remember where to look for it.

Verify vital info: Make sure to get exact name spellings. Ask the source what they prefer to use.

Double check: If your source says he has three main points or reasons for running for office, make sure you get all three. Write 3

points in the margin and number them as you go.

Note-taking tips Be open-minded: You may have one idea for the story when you start,

but don't limit yourself to one concept. The story could take you elsewhere.

Use a symbol system: Star things in your notes that are important.

Stand and deliver: Practice taking notes while standing. (It happens a lot!)

Save your notes: You should save your notes after the story is published or aired. How long you should save them is debatable.

Date your notebooks.

Planning the interview

• Identify your focus• Research the background• Identify your goals• Plan your questions• Request the interview• Dress appropriately • Be on time

Conducting the interviewClose-ended questions: Designed to elicit brief, specific answers that

are factual.

How many people were at the rally?

Open-ended questions: Designed to elicit quotes, elaboration, and longer responses.

When you rescued the cat out of the tree, what was the owner's response after you saved her?

Conducting the interview

Keep questions brief and to the point.

The dumb factor: You are there to listen and learn, not to be an expert. The whole point is to get the information from the source.

Ice breakers: Introduce yourself and state your purpose. Establish rapport with general conversation.

Conducting the interviewPlan your first questions: Many people get the same boring

questions. Try to find a different angle that might lead you to a more unusual question.

Put questions in nonthreatening order: If you have five minutes, you may one to put the toughest question first. If you have more time,

you can put it at the end.

Ask the basic questions: Who, what, where, when, why, how?

Conducting the interviewAsk follow-up questions:

What was your reaction?What do you mean by that?

How did that happen?How did you do that?

What is the significance?Who will be affected?

Keep quiet: Don't try to impress your source.

Conducting the interview• Be nonjudgemental

• Control the interview – Wait for pauses

• Repeat questions – don't accept incomplete answers. Ask the question differently later on in the interview.

• Ask background questions – for history of an issue

• Ask about developments – Go from the current to the past and to the future. How did the issue evolve? What is likely to happen in the

future?

Conducting the interview

Construct a chronology – establish a sequence of events

Role-play – If you were in the reader's place, how would you use the information?

Ask about pros and cons – ask source to discuss both sides of an issue.

Ask for definitions – Your job is to translate jargon for readers.

Conducting the interviewVerify – Ask questions even if you know the answers

Use the silent treatment – Pause for a few seconds to let the source elaborate

Use the “blame others” technique – When you have to ask tough questions, blame someone else.

“Your opponent says you cheated on your income taxes. How would you respond to that?”

Don't warn them a “tough” question is coming. It gives the source time to become defensive.

Conducting the interviewHandle emotional questions with tact – 

No – How do you feel about the death of your three children?Yes – Ask the person to recall specific memories about his children, or ask how he is

coping with tragedy.

Ask summary questions – Restate information or ask the source to clarify the key points

Conducting the interviewUse the matchmaker technique – Ask if there are others the source knows who would be

good to interview.

Ask free-choice questions – Anything you'd like to add?

End on a positive note – Thank your source. Ask for email or cell phone number.

Email interview Use only as a last resort.

It gives the source more time to think and you more accurate quotes, but it prohibits spontaneity and good follow-up questions.

Email • Limit number of questions (Max. 5)

• Clarify your purpose (it's for a news story) • Limit follow-up emails

• Attribute the email (Not required, but it is preferable to explain in your story you interviewed by email)