Interviews

Where To Begin
-Choose 3 interviewees
-Schedule interviews (24+ hours in advance)
-Give a "heads up" to interviewees-Conduct background research
-Write interview questions (10-15)

Why Prepare Questions?
-It's your job!
-1st impressions
-Nervous, unexpected circumstances
-Higher quality questions
-Preparation is a guide, not a limitation

Holy Trinity of Interviewing:
1. Anecdote
-Brief story told by interviewee
-Usually paraphrased by writer
-Entertaining
-Paints a picture for reader

2. Revealing Quote
-Something said by the interviewee
-Gives reader insight to personality
-Creates picture for the reader

3. Portraiture
-Description created by the writer
-Based on observations of interviewee
-Description is relevant to topic, not random

Preparation Payoff
-Varying types for various purposes
-To relax, gain trust, show genuine interest
-Interviewees who trust you will talk and talk and talk...

Types of Questions:
1. Opener: beginning question/remark; establish a rapport
"Oh, cute pictures. Are those your children?"

2. First Step: asks about the topic
"I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming fundraiser. Would you tell meexactly what you're doing?"

3. Qualifier: find out if the source is qualified
"What is your role in the fundraising efforts?"

4. Routine Factual: 5 W's and H
"Who is on the comittee? When will the fundraiser be?"

5. Numerical: statistical information
"How many years have you had this fundraiser? How much money do you hope toraise?"

6. G-O-S-S-E-Y: a way to ask deeper questions; goals, obstacles, solutions, start, evaluation, why7. Responder: clarification
"Would you explain what you mean? I'm not sure I understood."

7. Responder: clarification
"Would you explain what you mean? I'm not sure I understand."

8. Soliciting a quote: a specific question
"Tell me exactly what your hope is for this fundraiser.":
then.. "Do I have this down right?"

9. Soliciting an anecdote: prompts a short story
"What has been the most memorable aspect of this process?"

10. Imaginative: strays away from the routine
"Does your team have any superstitions?"

11. Grenade: difficult questions
"Some people say you favor certain players. Would you comment on this?"

12. Recover from grenade: a nuetral question
"Any last minute strategies to workon before the game?"

Concluding the Interview
-"Thank you.."
-Sign documentation sheet
-Further questions

Beware..
-Not everyone is a great interviewee
-Plan ahead..unforseen circumstances