by Kurt D. Moore

Created on: December 12, 2009   Last Updated: December 19, 2009

In this article I attempt to outline some of the key elements of an interview as it is related to newspaper journalism. 

How to interview a source is a key skill for journalists. Mastering it is necessary in order to achieve success.

As a journalist you will have an opportunity to interview people on a variety of topics. It takes preparation and people skills to make them want to talk.

Do the research. You must go in at least having a general idea what you about to discuss. Research your topic ahead of time. If interviewing a musician, know the music. If interviewing a politician, know the issues. 

While it sounds obvious, you also have to make sure to listen. Make sure to be attentive so that you properly record what the subject is saying. Don’t be afraid if you must have a source repeat something. This is especially true for phone interviews or if you are interviewing someone in an area with a lot of background noise such as next to a busy highway. Accuracy is a journalist’s badge, and messing up a quote can tarnish it.

Be prepared. Have pens and paper with you. If you use a voice recorder, make sure it has fresh batteries and take notes as a back-up. A stumbling reporter often leads to a stumbling interview and reduces the source’s faith in the reporter to get the story straight.

Organization is crucial. Have a list of questions ready. A source is likely to grow impatient and possibly want to cut the interview short if you are not organized. At the least you should have some basic questions upon which you can elaborate if the opportunity arises. A good target is to have ten to 15, including a few basic ones to help get your subject talking.

It's good to have a basic concept in mind, but be flexible. Sometimes you find out that the story you plan to do heading in isn't the same story that emerges.

While having a list of questions helps, sometimes the interview may drift to a different subject that produces a better story than the one you had in mind. You may also find out that the facts of the story do not back up your original concept.

Be patient. It may take a source a few questions to fully understand what you are asking. Most people are not used to being interviewed by the press, and a little care is necessary in order for them to relax. If you show frustration they will close up.

Speak up if you don't understand. Don't be afraid of your subject's opinion of you if you must re-ask a question or seek more explanation. If you don’t understand a topic, speak up. If you are interviewing a superintendent about why certain curriculum is taught and you don’t understand the lingo, ask a few additional questions. Your follow up will help display your interest in the subject.

Meet in person when possible. It helps make a subject more at ease when the subject is talking directly to a face rather than a phone receiver. Answers tend to be more complete. It is also helpful to see a subject’s facial expressions and gestures to help determine if more questions are needed or if the answers may not be that truthful.

Double-check your answers. Re-read your notes to make everything is clear. If possible, get a phone number so that you can review any information that is not as clear when you go to write the story.

By following these steps, you will get the information needed in order to make your story complete.

For additional tips check out this Detroit Free Press article: http://www.freep.com/legacy/jobspage/academy/interv. htm

If you are the one being interviewed, check out the following link: http://mediarelations.ifas.ufl.edu/interviewskills.h tm

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