The Art of the Interview

By CHLOE SHAKIN

The interview is perhaps the journalist’s most important tool for composing a news story. Use this checklist to help you conduct expert interviews.

Pre-interview Checklist:

I have researched my subject beforehand
My questions are concise and open-ended
My questions don’t elicit a simple yes/no answer (don’t begin with “do,” “is,” etc)
My kit is fully assembled (reporter’s pad, writing utensil, audio recorder, extra batteries)

Post-interview Checklist:

I have the exact spelling of my subject’s name and his/her proper title
I listened intently and asked appropriate and related follow-up questions
I have gotten my subject’s contact information in case I have last-minute questions
I have sent a letter or email to my subject to thank him/her for the interview

BREAKING NEWS!

30 students were caught cheating on the SAT at Valley High School last weekend!

Below are two lists of questions that demonstrate what NOT to ask and what TO ask the Valley High principal.

Before

1. Were you upset when you found out about the cheating?

2. Did you punish the students who were found cheating?

3. Were the proctors following the appropriate regulations while administering the SAT? Was it their fault that the students cheated?

4. Are you setting any new rules to prevent cheating?

5. Did you learn anything from this experience?

After

1. What was your initial reaction to the news of the cheating?

2. How did you approach punishing the guilty students?

3. What role did the proctors play in this scandal? How did they affect the situation?

4. How are you adjusting your testing rules and regulations?

5. What have you learned from this experience?

As you can see, the “After” questions are open-ended and elicit longer, more in-depth responses from your subject. Most of these green light questions begin with “how” or “what.”

The “Before” questions rarely elicit answers longer than a simple “yes” or “no.” These red and yellow light questions do not provide insightful quotes and will not enhance your article at all.

Assembling Your Kit: