Suggestions on an interview
- Frank_Monaldo
- DarylL
- Frank_Monaldo
- DarylL
- Clipper29
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» Frank_Monaldo - Interview with William Kristol
Dear Daryl and Others,I am the editor for the Conservative Politics page. Although I do not have journalistic aspirations --- I have a fine job --- thank you, I have an interview scheduled with William Kristol of the the conservative Weekly Standard. The results will be given in my Suite101 area.
I have some areas to discuss with Mr. Kristol, but would like guidance on protoocal. Is it common for interviews to be recorded? When tape recorders are used, do then tend to inhibit candid discussion? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
-- posted by Frank_Monaldo
» DarylL - Re: Suggestions on an interview
Some folks are inhibited by tape recorders, but for a number of reasons, I doubt Kristol would be one of them. I think most interview subjects see the tape recorder as a reassuring sign that the interviewer will quote them accurately.Before you turn the recorder on, ask the subject if he or she minds if you tape the interview, for accuracy's sake. If you're interviewing by phone, this is a critical question. In some states, it's illegal to record a phone conversation without all parties' consent.
You may want to check the recorder periodically to make sure the tape hasn't run out, but otherwise try not to draw attention to it. That might be inhibiting, prompting the subject to think, "My God, what stupid thing did I just say that made him want to make sure that thing is running?"
Hope that helps. Good luck...
-- posted by DarylL
» Frank_Monaldo - Thanks
Dear Darly,Thanks for the help. The interview will be in person so I will not have to worry about use of a recorder over a telephone.
You are correct in my assessment of the reason for a recorder. I am convinced that if I concentrate on getting quotes exactly, my mind will not be able think as much about what the next followup question would be. In any case, I will be sure to ask permission.
-- posted by Frank_Monaldo
» Clipper29 - interviewing
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question...but my question is about "asking questions". I've never been to school for writing or anything, but I have been working for a newspaper for about 3 months now, and although I'm doing okay, I find I have a hard time knowing how to ask questions to get the best answers.A lot of times, the issues I have to ask about are things that I know nothing about (drainage problems, river restoration, etc), and I don't know how to ask the proper questions to get all of the information I need. I've researched, but sometimes it's hard to know what and how to ask.
Can anyone help me?
By the way, what do you do when someone insists on giving you short answers that tell you nothing???
-- posted by Clipper29
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