This is a slideshare for my students to learn how to do interviews for news stories.

1. Interview Techniques
Interviewing for a news story is not
as easy as you might think.
It takes
research, preparation, and, most of
all, Dr. K’s sage advice to . . .

2. THREE PHASES OF AN INTERVIEW
BEFORE DURING AFTER
Phone Log When to arrive Freewriting
Research How to sit Making Notes
Questions How to manage Thank You Note
Recon How to ask
Supplies & Copies How to conclude

3. Don’t forget: You need to know how you
are going to conduct your interview—Do
you plan make an audio? Video? Are you
bringing a camera crew? Will you be taking
pictures?
Make sure you know before you make an
appointment!!

4. Before the Interview
Make a phone log!
Phone Name Company Date/Time Resolution
(404)555-5555 Ms. Jones XYZ Corp. 1:20 p.m. 4/14 Call Ms. Smith @
3 p.m. Friday.
Fill out Before Fill out Before Fill out Before
you call. you call. you call. Set calendar to
remind you!
Research the Company
 THEM!!

5. Before the Interview
Interview Appointment
 10 a.m or 1 p.m. is best!
 Tell them how you will conduct
interview—they need to know!
 THEM!

6. Before the Interview
Make some questions!
 Have at least 5 questions ready!
 Use 3X5 or 5X7 Cards (looks more professional)
 Don’t ask any question you could have gotten the
answer to on Google. Make sure you use
interview time well. It is VALUABLE. Make the
most of it!

7. Before the Interview
Reconnaissance: Check it out!
 Go to the interview location the day before.
 Introduce yourself.
 Ask if there is any literature on the company you
can study before your interview.
 Check out what they are wearing and wear
something 1 step better (not too much!). You
want to make them feel comfortable.

8. Before the Interview
Shopping!
 Purchase 3x5/5x7 cards.
 Purchase simple pocket portfolio folder. Keep all
the stuff for the interview in it, and file in when
you are done!
 Purchase reporter’s notepad or small notebook to
use.
 Make sure you have at least two good pens!
PLACE ALL THESE THINGS IN FOLDER.

9. During the Interview
 Bring Press Credentials if you have them.
 Arrive 15 minutes early.
 Bring only your folder and what you need for
the interview.
 Introduce yourself to receptionist.
 Look around! The environment should help
you decide which questions to ask!

10. During the Interview
 When you get into the room, ask where to sit.
 Introduce yourself while standing.
 After you sit, pull out questions, notebook, pen,
and tape recorder (as appropriate).
 Ask again if they mind being taped/ videoed/
photographed.
 Ask for names and titles or business cards of
those you interview. If it is more than one
person, write names or arrange business
cards to show where they are sitting.

11. During the Interview
 Begin sitting in neutral position (back against
chair, feet in front, hands on
cards/notebook or folded on table).
 Ask question and wait slow 10-count before
restating question in a different way.
 Don’t interrupt!
 When they are finished answering, wait
politely. It will seem like forever. KEEP
WAITING! They will talk.

12. During the Interview
 Write their answers under the questions you
wrote on the cards.
 You can write additional questions/answers on
extra cards or in notebook.
 Put cards aside as they answer so you don’t
have to flip through them later.
 If you are taping, write notes anyway! You DON’T
want to sit through that interview 25 times to
find that quote you should have written
down!

13. During the Interview
 When you are done, ask them when and how it would
be convenient to contact them if you have any
further questions.
 Many times you will be asked if they can see the story
before it goes to print. The answer is ALWAYS
“NO.” Say it nicely: “I’m on deadline, so that
probably won’t be possible. However, I have your
contact information in case I have any follow up
questions.”
 Thank them for their time, and give them your card so
they can contact you if they think of anything they
would like to add.

14. After the Interview
 Sit somewhere quiet and write about the
interview. This is when you write the details
that will color the piece. What did they look
like? What was the atmosphere? What
emotion was conveyed? Etc. Details will
become fuzzy later. DO THIS RIGHT AWAY!
 Send them an e-mail Thank You:
• Keep it simple: “Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, . . . “