2.3 Conducting interviews and gathering quotes
7 min read•august 13, 2024
Interviews are the lifeblood of journalism, offering unique insights and vivid details that bring stories to life. Mastering the art of crafting questions, building rapport, and eliciting engaging responses is crucial for gathering compelling quotes and information.
Ethical practices, like obtaining and accurately representing sources, are essential for maintaining trust and integrity. Skillfully integrating quotes into your narrative enhances storytelling, providing authoritative perspectives and that captivate readers and deepen their understanding of complex issues.
Crafting Effective Interview Questions
Conducting Thorough Background Research
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- Thorough background research on the interviewee and topic is essential to develop informed, relevant questions that elicit substantive responses
- Review the interviewee's professional background, published works, and prior interviews to understand their expertise and perspective
- Investigate the broader context surrounding the topic, including historical background, current developments, and future implications
- Identify key stakeholders, opposing viewpoints, and potential areas of controversy to explore during the interview
- Consult with colleagues or experts in the field to gather additional insights and refine the focus of the interview
Crafting Open-Ended and Tailored Questions
- Questions should be open-ended to encourage elaboration and avoid yes/no answers, allowing the interviewee to provide context and detail
- Use "how," "why," and "what" questions to invite the interviewee to share their experiences, opinions, and insights (What motivated you to pursue this line of work?)
- Avoid leading questions that presume a particular answer or bias the response (How did you feel when...? instead of Weren't you angry when...?)
- Tailor questions to the unique perspective and expertise of the interviewee to capture their distinct voice and gather original information
- Customize questions based on the interviewee's professional background, personal experiences, or role in the story (As a veteran educator, how have you seen technology transform the classroom?)
- Ask questions that showcase the interviewee's unique insights or experiences, rather than generic queries that could apply to anyone
Structuring the Interview Flow
- Anticipate potential follow-up questions based on the interviewee's likely responses to keep the conversation flowing and gather additional insights
- Prepare a list of follow-up questions or prompts for each main question to delve deeper into the topic or clarify ambiguous responses
- Listen actively during the interview to identify opportunities for spontaneous follow-up questions based on the interviewee's comments
- Organize questions in a logical sequence, typically starting with easier, rapport-building questions before progressing to more complex or sensitive topics
- Begin with warm-up questions to establish a comfortable, conversational tone and build trust with the interviewee (Can you tell me a little about your background and how you got started in this field?)
- Gradually introduce more substantive or challenging questions once the interviewee feels at ease and has had a chance to provide context for their perspective
Eliciting Engaging Responses
Building Rapport and Active Listening
- Building rapport with the interviewee through , empathy, and genuine interest helps create a comfortable, conversational dynamic that yields richer responses
- Demonstrate attentiveness through eye contact, nodding, and verbal affirmations (I see, That's fascinating) to encourage the interviewee to share more
- Show empathy and emotional intelligence when discussing sensitive or personal topics to create a safe, supportive environment for candid responses
- Allowing moments of silence can prompt the interviewee to reflect and share additional thoughts, often leading to more insightful or candid responses
- Resist the urge to jump in immediately after the interviewee finishes speaking, giving them space to elaborate or clarify their thoughts
- Use nonverbal cues (leaning forward, maintaining eye contact) during pauses to signal your continued interest and encourage further reflection
Encouraging Specific Examples and Anecdotes
- Asking follow-up questions and requesting specific examples or anecdotes encourages the interviewee to provide concrete details and paint a vivid picture for the audience
- Probe for specific instances or stories that illustrate the interviewee's point (Can you give me an example of a time when you faced that challenge and how you overcame it?)
- Encourage the interviewee to walk you through their thought process or decision-making in a particular situation to provide a behind-the-scenes perspective
- Maintaining a neutral, non-judgmental tone and avoiding leading questions helps ensure the interviewee's perspective is accurately represented without undue influence from the interviewer
- Use neutral language and tone when asking questions to avoid implying a preferred answer or steering the conversation in a particular direction
- Reframe potentially leading questions to be more open-ended and objective (What factors influenced your decision? instead of Did pressure from your boss make you do it?)
Documenting the Interview
- Taking notes or recording the interview, with the interviewee's permission, ensures accurate quotations and frees the interviewer to focus on the conversation and body language
- Obtain the interviewee's explicit consent before recording the interview, explaining how the recording will be used and who will have access to it
- Use a reliable recording device and test it beforehand to ensure clear audio quality and avoid technical issues that could disrupt the conversation
- Take brief notes during the interview to capture key points, quotes, or follow-up questions, but maintain eye contact and engagement with the interviewee
Ethical Interviewing Practices
Informed Consent and Confidentiality
- Interviewers must secure informed consent from sources, ensuring they understand how their words will be used and any potential risks of speaking on the record
- Clearly explain the purpose and scope of the interview, the intended audience, and the media outlet or platform where the content will appear
- Discuss any potential risks or consequences of speaking on the record, particularly for sensitive or controversial topics, and ensure the interviewee is comfortable proceeding
- or on-background information provided by sources should be treated with and not directly quoted or attributed without explicit permission
- Clarify the terms of any off-the-record or on-background agreements before the interview begins, specifying what information can be used and how it will be attributed
- Respect the interviewee's trust and maintain the agreed-upon level of confidentiality, even if the information is newsworthy or could enhance the story
Accurate Representation and Disclosure
- Quotes should be accurately transcribed and presented in context to avoid misrepresenting the interviewee's intended meaning or tone
- Verify the accuracy of quotes by reviewing the recording or transcript and double-checking with the interviewee if there is any ambiguity
- Provide sufficient context around quotes to ensure the interviewee's words are not misconstrued or taken out of context
- Interviewers should disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that could influence their questioning or interpretation of responses
- Be transparent about any personal, financial, or professional relationships with the interviewee or stakeholders in the story that could be perceived as a conflict of interest
- Acknowledge any personal biases or perspectives that may shape the interviewer's approach to the topic or interpretation of responses
Sensitivity and Trauma-Informed Interviewing
- Sensitive or traumatic topics require special care to avoid re-traumatizing vulnerable sources or exploiting their experiences for sensationalism
- Approach sensitive topics with empathy, respect, and a trauma-informed perspective, prioritizing the interviewee's well-being over the story
- Provide resources or support for interviewees who may be triggered or emotionally impacted by discussing traumatic experiences
- Avoid graphic or gratuitous details that could be unnecessarily disturbing to the interviewee or the audience
Integrating Quotes in Storytelling
Selecting Impactful Quotes
- Quotes should be selected to provide unique insights, compelling anecdotes, or authoritative perspectives that enrich the story's central themes or arguments
- Choose quotes that offer a fresh perspective or memorable phrasing that captures the essence of the story or the interviewee's experience
- Prioritize quotes that advance the narrative, provide crucial context, or evoke an emotional response from the audience
- Balance quotes from different sources to represent diverse viewpoints and avoid overreliance on a single perspective
Seamless Integration and Narrative Flow
- Effective quotes blend seamlessly into the narrative flow, avoiding abrupt transitions or redundancy with the author's voice
- Introduce quotes with a brief contextual phrase or attribution that links the quote to the surrounding narrative (As Smith explained, "...")
- Vary the placement of attribution to maintain a smooth, natural flow (Smith said, "..." or "..." Smith said)
- Avoid repeating information from the quote in the surrounding narrative to maintain concision and prevent redundancy
Strategic Placement and Pacing
- Placing quotes at key moments in the story, such as the introduction, turning points, or conclusion, can heighten their impact and reinforce crucial takeaways
- Use a strong, attention-grabbing quote in the introduction to set the tone and engage the reader from the outset
- Position quotes at pivotal moments or transitions in the story to underscore the significance of key events or revelations
- Conclude with a powerful, resonant quote that lingers in the reader's mind and encapsulates the central message or theme of the piece
- Varying the length and style of quotes maintains reader engagement and allows sources' voices to complement rather than dominate the narrative
- Alternate between short, punchy quotes and longer, more detailed excerpts to create a dynamic rhythm and maintain reader interest
- Use a mix of direct quotations and paraphrased or summarized statements to balance the sources' voices with the author's narrative perspective
Providing Context and Analysis
- Contextualizing quotes with relevant background information or analysis helps the audience understand their significance and relationship to the larger story
- Provide necessary background information or explanations before or after the quote to help readers understand its relevance and implications
- Offer interpretive analysis or commentary following the quote to highlight its significance, draw connections to other aspects of the story, or explore its broader ramifications
- Use quotes as a springboard for further discussion or to introduce counterarguments or alternative perspectives that enrich the reader's understanding of the topic
Key Terms to Review (18)
Active listening: Active listening is the practice of fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said in a conversation or during an interview. It goes beyond just hearing the words; it involves engaging with the speaker, showing empathy, and providing feedback that demonstrates comprehension. This skill is crucial for gathering accurate information, building relationships, and collaborating effectively.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality refers to the ethical principle of keeping information private and ensuring that sensitive data shared during interactions, such as interviews, is not disclosed without consent. This concept is vital for building trust between interviewers and sources, allowing individuals to share their thoughts and experiences openly without fear of repercussions. Maintaining confidentiality is not only an ethical obligation but also a legal one in many cases, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations or sensitive topics.
Direct quote: A direct quote is the exact repetition of someone’s spoken or written words, enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that the statement is not paraphrased or summarized. This term is essential for accurately conveying information during interviews and gathering quotes, ensuring the speaker's original meaning and intent are preserved.
Emotional resonance: Emotional resonance refers to the capacity of a narrative, image, or sound to evoke a deep emotional response from the audience. It connects the content to the viewers' personal experiences or feelings, making the message more impactful and memorable. When done effectively, emotional resonance can create a bond between the audience and the material, enhancing engagement and retention.
Fact-checking: Fact-checking is the process of verifying the accuracy of information before it is published or disseminated to the public. In today's fast-paced media landscape, where misinformation can spread rapidly, fact-checking has become essential for maintaining credibility and trustworthiness in media writing.
In-Person Interview: An in-person interview is a direct, face-to-face interaction between an interviewer and a subject to gather information or quotes. This type of interview allows for deeper engagement, enabling the interviewer to pick up on non-verbal cues and build rapport with the subject, which can lead to more insightful responses. The in-person setting helps establish trust and encourages open dialogue, making it an essential technique for effectively gathering quotes and narratives.
Indirect quote: An indirect quote is a paraphrase of someone else's statement rather than a verbatim account of what was said. This type of quote captures the essence of the original message while rephrasing it in the writer's own words, allowing for a more fluid narrative. It is often used to simplify complex information or to integrate quotes seamlessly into the text without disrupting the flow.
Informed Consent: Informed consent is the process of obtaining permission from a participant after providing them with adequate information about the nature, purpose, risks, and potential benefits of a study or interview. It is a crucial ethical principle that ensures participants fully understand what they are agreeing to before participating, which fosters trust and transparency in the interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee.
Narrative structure: Narrative structure refers to the framework that underlies the telling of a story, encompassing the sequence of events and how they are organized to convey meaning. This structure is crucial in shaping how stories engage audiences, creating tension, character development, and thematic exploration. By effectively utilizing narrative structure, writers can control pacing, emotional impact, and the overall clarity of their message.
Off-the-record: Off-the-record refers to a communication or information exchange that is not meant for public disclosure and cannot be attributed to the source. This term is vital in journalism as it helps build trust between reporters and their sources, allowing for candid discussions that can provide valuable context, insights, or background information without the pressure of being publicly quoted.
On-the-record: On-the-record refers to information that can be freely quoted and attributed to a source, typically during interviews or discussions. This designation allows journalists and writers to include direct quotes from sources in their work, providing credibility and transparency. It establishes a clear understanding that the information shared is open for publication and can be used as part of the narrative in reporting.
Open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are inquiries that allow for a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and opinions. These types of questions encourage more in-depth responses and discussions, making them valuable for extracting insights and perspectives from interviewees. They contrast with closed-ended questions, which typically limit responses to a simple 'yes' or 'no.' This characteristic makes open-ended questions particularly useful for interviews and reporting, where understanding the nuances of a subject is crucial.
Phone interview: A phone interview is a method of conducting an interview over the phone, allowing for a real-time conversation without the need for physical presence. This format is particularly useful for gathering quotes and insights quickly, making it easier to connect with sources who may not be available for in-person meetings. Phone interviews also enable reporters to reach a wider range of individuals across different locations, enhancing the diversity and richness of the information collected.
Question Design: Question design is the process of creating effective and purposeful questions to elicit meaningful responses during interviews or surveys. This involves considering the type of information needed, the clarity of the questions, and how they will guide the conversation. Thoughtful question design is crucial for gathering insightful quotes and information that can enhance storytelling and reporting.
Rapport building: Rapport building is the process of establishing a positive, trusting relationship between an interviewer and the interviewee. This connection is crucial for creating a comfortable environment that encourages open communication, allowing the interviewer to gather richer, more authentic quotes and insights from the subject. Successful rapport building can lead to more effective interviews and deeper storytelling, as it fosters mutual respect and understanding.
Recording Devices: Recording devices are tools used to capture audio, video, or both during interviews or other events for later playback or analysis. These devices can range from simple handheld recorders to sophisticated cameras, enabling the accurate collection of information, quotes, and reactions during interviews. Their use is essential in ensuring that the details of conversations are preserved without reliance on memory alone, providing a reliable source for accurate reporting.
Source verification: Source verification is the process of confirming the authenticity and reliability of information by checking the credibility of its origins. This is essential in media writing to maintain ethical standards, ensure accuracy in reporting, and uphold the trust of the audience. Through source verification, journalists can distinguish between credible and unreliable information, which is crucial for responsible reporting, especially when conducting interviews, gathering quotes, fact-checking claims, and covering developing stories.
Transcription Software: Transcription software is a type of technology designed to convert audio recordings into written text, streamlining the process of capturing spoken dialogue. This software is particularly valuable for journalists, researchers, and media professionals who need accurate transcriptions of interviews, speeches, or discussions, enabling them to focus on content analysis and narrative development rather than manual transcription efforts.