6.3 Profile and feature interview approaches
4 min read•august 6, 2024
Profile and feature interviews bring depth to journalism, uncovering the essence of people and their stories. These approaches go beyond basic facts, delving into personalities, motivations, and experiences to create engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
Crafting compelling profiles involves developing multi-dimensional characters, painting vivid pictures with words, and uncovering unique personalities. Journalists use , environmental observations, and to create immersive, relatable narratives that captivate audiences.
Crafting Compelling Profiles
Developing Engaging Characters
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- involves creating a vivid and multi-dimensional portrayal of the interview subject
- Includes providing background information, motivations, and unique qualities that make the person interesting (quirks, passions, struggles)
- Requires keen observation and insightful questioning to uncover the subject's essence and bring them to life on the page
- Aims to create a relatable and engaging character that readers can connect with emotionally
Painting a Vivid Picture with Words
- uses sensory details and vivid language to create a clear mental image for the reader
- Incorporates descriptions of the subject's appearance, mannerisms, and environment to set the scene and create atmosphere (cluttered office, nervous fidgeting, warm smile)
- Helps readers visualize the subject and their surroundings, making the profile more immersive and engaging
Uncovering the Subject's Unique Personality
- involves identifying and highlighting the subject's defining traits, habits, and quirks
- Requires observing the subject's behavior, listening to their speech patterns, and asking probing questions to reveal their true nature
- Aims to capture the subject's essence and present a well-rounded, authentic portrayal of their personality (adventurous spirit, dry wit, quiet determination)
Finding the Human Interest Angle
- focuses on the emotional, relatable aspects of the subject's story that resonate with readers
- Involves identifying universal themes or experiences that readers can connect with (overcoming adversity, pursuing a passion, finding love)
- Requires empathy and understanding to uncover the subject's deeper motivations, struggles, and triumphs
- Helps create a compelling narrative that engages readers on a personal level and elicits an emotional response
Supporting the Narrative with Anecdotal Evidence
- includes specific stories, examples, or incidents that illustrate the subject's character or experiences
- Provides concrete, memorable details that bring the profile to life and support the overall narrative (a childhood memory, a pivotal moment, a humorous encounter)
- Requires skillful interviewing and active listening to elicit revealing anecdotes from the subject
- Helps create a more engaging, relatable profile by showing the subject's personality and experiences through vivid, real-life examples
Narrative Strategies
Employing Storytelling Techniques
- Narrative techniques involve using storytelling elements to structure and present the profile in an engaging way
- Includes using a clear beginning, middle, and end, creating tension or conflict, and employing dialogue or descriptive passages
- Aims to create a compelling, cohesive narrative that draws readers in and keeps them engaged throughout the profile
- Requires skillful writing and editing to weave together different elements of the subject's story into a seamless, engaging narrative
Setting the Scene with Environmental Observation
- involves paying attention to and describing the subject's surroundings and context
- Includes noting details about the location, atmosphere, and sensory elements (sounds, smells, visual details) that help create a vivid sense of place
- Helps readers visualize the setting and understand the subject's world, making the profile more immersive and engaging
- Requires keen observation skills and descriptive writing to effectively transport readers into the subject's environment (bustling city street, serene park bench, cozy living room)
Conducting Thorough Biographical Research
- involves gathering and verifying information about the subject's life, background, and accomplishments
- Includes reviewing public records, previous interviews, and other reliable sources to piece together a comprehensive picture of the subject
- Helps provide context, depth, and accuracy to the profile, ensuring a well-rounded portrayal of the subject
- Requires strong research skills and attention to detail to uncover relevant information and fact-check details
Asking In-Depth, Revealing Questions
- In-depth questioning involves asking thoughtful, that encourage the subject to share their experiences, opinions, and insights
- Includes using , active listening, and empathy to elicit more detailed, revealing responses from the subject
- Aims to uncover the subject's motivations, challenges, and defining moments, providing a deeper understanding of their character and story
- Requires strong interviewing skills, curiosity, and the ability to build rapport with the subject to create a safe, comfortable space for sharing (What inspired you to pursue this path? How did that experience shape your perspective?)
Key Terms to Review (14)
Anecdotal evidence: Anecdotal evidence refers to information or data that is based on personal accounts, stories, or experiences rather than on scientific or systematic research. This type of evidence can be compelling in interviews, particularly when sharing personal narratives or highlighting individual experiences that illustrate broader themes, making it a useful tool in profile and feature interviews.
Biographical Research: Biographical research involves the systematic study of individuals' lives, focusing on their personal experiences, relationships, and significant events that shape their identities. This type of research provides insights into how these factors influence a person's perspective and can enrich profile and feature interviews by offering deeper context and understanding of the interviewee's background.
Character development: Character development is the process of creating a believable and relatable persona in storytelling, where an individual's traits, motivations, and growth evolve throughout the narrative. This process involves crafting depth and complexity that draws the audience in, allowing them to connect emotionally and understand the character's journey. It plays a crucial role in interviews by transforming real individuals into compelling stories that resonate with readers or viewers.
Descriptive writing: Descriptive writing is a literary technique that aims to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind through detailed observations and sensory language. This style is essential for bringing characters, settings, and events to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the narrative. It plays a significant role in interviews, especially in profile and feature approaches, as it helps convey the essence of the subject being portrayed.
Environmental Observation: Environmental observation refers to the systematic examination of the surroundings and context in which an interview takes place. It involves paying attention to the physical space, social dynamics, and non-verbal cues that may influence the interaction between the interviewer and interviewee. This understanding helps in shaping the interview process and can lead to deeper insights into the subject being discussed.
Feature interview: A feature interview is a type of in-depth conversation focused on exploring the life, experiences, or insights of an individual in a way that goes beyond basic reporting. It aims to create a narrative that connects the subject's story with broader themes or issues, often incorporating personal anecdotes and emotional depth to engage the audience. By highlighting unique aspects of the subject's life, feature interviews are crafted to evoke empathy and provide a richer understanding of their context.
Follow-up questions: Follow-up questions are inquiries made after an initial response to gather more details, clarify statements, or deepen understanding of a topic. They play a crucial role in keeping the conversation flowing and ensuring the interviewer can extract richer insights from the interviewee.
Human interest angle: A human interest angle is a storytelling technique that focuses on the personal experiences, emotions, and stories of individuals to create a connection with the audience. This approach emphasizes relatable narratives that draw readers in, often transforming factual reporting into compelling and engaging stories that highlight the human side of news events or issues.
In-depth questioning: In-depth questioning refers to a technique used during interviews that aims to elicit detailed responses and gain deeper insights from the interviewee. This method involves asking open-ended questions that encourage the person to elaborate on their thoughts, experiences, and feelings, providing a richer narrative. By employing in-depth questioning, interviewers can uncover nuances and complexities that might not surface with simple or closed questions.
Open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are inquiries that allow for a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and feelings, rather than simply a 'yes' or 'no' response. These questions encourage interviewees to express their thoughts and provide more detailed information, which is essential for gathering insights in various interviewing contexts.
Personality profiling: Personality profiling is a method used to assess and categorize an individual's personality traits, behaviors, and motivations. This technique is often employed in interviews to gain insights into a person's character, allowing interviewers to tailor their questions and interactions based on the subject's personality type.
Profile interview: A profile interview is a specific type of interview that focuses on revealing the personal story and unique characteristics of an individual, often highlighting their experiences, achievements, and personality traits. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive view of the interviewee, making it relatable and engaging for the audience while offering insights into their life journey and motivations.
Rapport building: Rapport building is the process of establishing a positive, trusting relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee, which is essential for effective communication and information exchange. This connection enhances the comfort level of the interviewee, encouraging openness and honesty, which leads to richer and more insightful responses during the interview.
Storytelling techniques: Storytelling techniques refer to the methods and strategies used to convey narratives effectively, making them engaging and relatable to an audience. These techniques can include elements such as character development, pacing, thematic structure, and emotional resonance, all of which help to draw the audience into the story. By utilizing storytelling techniques, interviewers can transform raw interview material into compelling narratives that resonate with readers or viewers.