Interviews

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Interviews

• Print Journalism
• Mrs. Hynes

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Interviews

• An interview is a way for a reporter to get
  information directly from a source.
• If the reporter is using the exact words that a
  person said, then the quote should be in
  quotation marks.
• If the reporter is not using the EXACT words of
  the source, then a reporter may paraphrase, but
  still credit the source with the information.
• To paraphrase, the meaning must remain the same,
  even though the words used are different. A
  reporter must be careful not to alter the meaning
  or they may present biased reporting.

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For example

• Interviewer asks question Where were you born?
• Person being interviewed answers I was born in
  southern California, Orange County. Long Beach to
  be specific.
• Example of Direct Quote Longoria stated that she
  was, born in southern California, Orange
  County.
• Example of Paraphrasing Longoria later confirmed
  the city of her birth to be Long Beach,
  California.
• See the difference?

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Punctuation of Quotations

• The quote is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The quote is separated from the rest of the
  sentence using a comma.
• The comma or period at the end of the quote goes
  INSIDE the quotation marks.
• Examples
• Pam said, I love to cook pies for Holidays.
• I love to cook pies for Holidays, said Pam.

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Types of Interviews

• Press Conference In this type of interview, many
  reporters gather in one place to interview an
  important person. They must take turns being
  called upon to ask a question. All the reporters
  record the information and may use it for their
  stories.
• This type of interview is controlled by the
  person giving the interview. They decide when it
  is over and which questions they will answer.

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2 Kinds of Interviews

• One-on-one This kind of interview is requested
  by the reporter with another person.
• It may be an on-the-spot interview with a witness
  at a news scene in which the reporter tries to
  glean information about the event.
• Or it may be a pre-planned interview in which the
  reporter specially requests an interview with a
  person and has time to prepare questions ahead of
  time.
• Interviews may be used for News stories or
  Feature stories.

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Guidelines For Interviews

• Print Journalism
• Mrs. Hynes

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Step 1 Arrange

• Make an appointment in advance.
• Set the time, date, and place for the interview
  (consider noise levels, comfort and privacy).
• Explain the purpose of the interview and give an
• estimated length of time.

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Step 2 Research

• Do your homework! Research the person you will be
  interviewing.
• Prepare yourself to ask intelligent, educated
  questions and avoid rehashing information that is
  already common knowledge about the person.

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Step 3 Prepare

• Write your questions ahead of time.
• Ask open-ended questions that require an
  explanationnot yes or no questions.
• Add additional questions that may seem important.
• Use the 5Ws and How.

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Step 4 Practice

• Practice reciting the interview out loud before
  the real interview.
• This way you can check for any errors ahead of
  time.
• Sound professional!

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Step 5 Impress

• For the interview arrive early, get organized,
  and dress appropriately.
• Greet your interviewee warmly and courteously.
  Thank them for coming!
• Set your interviewee at ease by starting with
  some small talk before the interview.
• Be sure to ask permission if you are going to
  record the interview.

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Step 6Be thorough
Could you explain that a little further, please?
Could you repeat that please? Im not sure I
heard you correctly.

• Clarify their official title, name and spelling.
• Jot down a physical description of person.
• Ask your questions one at a time, giving plenty
  of time for an answer.
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Use eye contact when speaking to the interviewee.
• Dont be afraid to ask for clarification or
  further explanation of their answer.

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Step 7 Be accurate

• Take accurate notes!
• You must write down exactly what the interviewee
  is saying.
• You cannot add or make up things.
• If you dont get the complete answer, ask
  politely to repeat.

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Step 8 Close

• Be sure to thank the person for their time, smile
  and shake their hand when you finish the
  interview.
• Transcribe (type up) your interview notes soon
  after the interview or you will forget what your
  notes mean!

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Steps for a good interview

• 1. Arrange
• 2. Research
• 3. Prepare
• 4. Practice
• 5. Impress
• 6. Be thorough
• 7. Be accurate
• 8. Close

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Final Projectfor Print Journalism!!

• You will be assigned to write a story about one
  of your classmates.
• Day One (Today-HW) Prepare 21 open ended
  interview questions and practice reading them
  aloud.
• Day Two Interview or be interviewed.
• HW Write your story.
• Day Three Type story, peer edit revise.
• Day Four Design layout.