Wednesday, May 13, 2009

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, why

7. Responder: clarification

"Would you explain what you mean? I'm not sure I understood."

8. soliciting a quote: A specific question

"Tell me exactly what your hope is for this fundraiser."

9. Soliciting an anecdote: Prompts a short story

" what has been the most memorable aspect of this process"

10. Imaginative: Strays from the routine questions

11. Grenade: difficult questions

Conclude the interview with a thank you

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