The Art of The Interview

» Inez - Dear Sue: I've been doing interviews for a newspaper column for

Dear Sue: I've been doing interviews for a newspaper column for a couple of years, and have nearly 100 interviews under my belt. I think there are different styles, depending on what you're after. I'm out to find out who these people are, and it can be anybody from a couple married 65 years to a youngster preparing for his bar mitzvah.

I use a tape recorder, and just visit. I have no agenda, no prepared questions. We talk about whatever they want to share. I make notes as I transcribe the tapes, and gradually, a delightful person comes to life on the page. Your style could be pretty intimidating to a beginner.

-- posted by Inez

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» sreich - Sue Reichard: Inez, I can see your style works well because

Sue Reichard:

Inez,
I can see your style works well because you use a tape recorder. I've had subjects who absolutely did not want me to use an interview. I have found in cases like this it is wise to have prepared questions. Also knowing something about your subject is important especially if they are younger. They often forget some of their talents and successes due to their humility. You sound like your very successful, and you must really be an expert at interviewing. I wish I had your skills. Thanks for the input.
Sue Reichard

-- posted by sreich

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» sreich - Sue Reichard Inez, I can see your style works well because yo

Sue Reichard
Inez,
I can see your style works well because you use a tape recorder. I've had subjects who absolutely did not want me to use a tape recorder during an interview. I have found in cases like this it is wise to have prepared questions. Also knowing something about your subject is important especially if they are younger. They often forget some of their talents and successes due to their humility. You sound like your very successful, and you must really be an expert at interviewing. I wish I had your skills. Thanks for the input.
Sue Reichard

-- posted by sreich

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» JudyLowe - As a newspaper feature writer for more years than I care to admi

As a newspaper feature writer for more years than I care to admit, I have found that some people are put off by a tape recorder. This isn't true with well-known people, of course, but ordinary citizens. If I see that someone will be "stiff" because of the machine (and I use a tiny one about the size of a pack of cigarettes), I don't use it.

A big advantage of taping is that you can look the interviewee in the eye and see his or her expressions, hand motions, etc. But it's usually a mistake, in my opinion, to depend on a tape recorder. Just as sure as you do, it will malfunction in some way -- usually, in my case, the tape manages to foul up. So good note-taking is essential, whether you tape or not.

An interesting thing I learned early-on was that I usually wrote down in my notes what I considered later, when I transcribed the tape, to be the most important points.

Tapes are a pain, though, when you're in a hurry. What I want to know is why is takes at least 2 hours to transcribe a 45-minute interview?? :-)

Judy Lowe,
Southern Gardening

-- posted by JudyLowe

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