Page 135 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

DON’T SKIP THIS

6.1 LISTENING It may seem like with everything else to teach, the interview is the thing to cut. But that
couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Interviews are what allow journalists to find stories—giving writers the necessary
information they need to paint a picture with words. Quality interviews are helpful when
supplementing quick reads and content modules, but even more valuable when paired
THE KEY TO INTERVIEWING with simple headshots or cutouts.

Interviewing is all about listening. A good interviewer is a good Remember: the quotes interviewers find will improve the overall quality of the publication.

listener. Communication is a transaction. People are trained to
be suspicious of the interviewer. They want to say something
worthwhile, but also want to be careful not to be misrepresented. THE INTERVIEW

To work, the transaction must first build trust.

TWELVE TIPS FOR TURNING A QUOTE INTO A STORY
THE INTRODUCTION

Introductory questions have two functions. First, they give the interviewer the basic 1 LISTEN 5 AVOID YES/NO 9 MIX IT UP
■ Listening is more than just QUESTIONS ■ Ask pointed questions and
information needed for building a quality interview. Secondly, they offer a low stakes waiting for your turn to talk. ■ Questions should have light-hearted questions.
exchange that helps the interviewer put the interviewee at ease. ■ “If you are talking, you are not an angle/purpose, often ■ Vary the tone of your questions.
learning anything.”
influenced by your theme.
■ Tailor your interview to
■ Use your ears more than ■ Open-ended questions tell your audience.
THE WARM-UP your mouth. the story through someone MOVE IT FORWARD
else’s voice.
Introductory questions lead into one or more unprepared follow-ups—warm-up questions 2 KEEP IT SIMPLE FOLLOW UP 10 ■ “Don’t ask, ‘What keeps you up
that show the interview subject that their interviewer was listening. ■ Ask a complicated question, 6 ■ Create core questions, think at night?’ Ask, ‘What’s going
get a simple answer.
to keep you up tonight after
■ Don’t try to pack all your on your feet and listen actively. this interview?”
Here’s an example of the information gleaned from an introductory question like: Tell me questions into one super-mega ■ Expand—“tell me more,” ■ Forward questions focus on the
your name, how long you’ve been teaching and a little about yourself: “My name is Kristen question. “help me understand,” unknown.
■ Simple questions force people “what else,” etc.
Scott. I’ve been a journalism teacher for 15 years at Kealing Middle School. I have two to think. What was that like? NARROW IT IN
children, one of whom is enrolled at Kealing.” How did that feel? 7 Think of an interview as a 11 ■ What’s the one thing…
CONVERSATION
A warm up question in response to this information might be: How has the school changed 3 BE PREPARED ■ Remember you are ■ Tell me about one time…
■ Who is the one person…
■ Know basics before you interviewing to learn.
in your 15 years there? How has having a child at your school impacted your opinion of it? get there. ■ Let students tell their own
■ What’s happened in the story. Their authentic voice 12 BUILD TRUST
THE PITCH past can be researched. makes your story credible, ■ Clarification establishes credibility
insightful and engaging.
Do your research.
■ If you’re confused, don’t move
Now it’s time to move into your prepared questions. These questions increase the stakes, 4 FOCUS 8 DON’T RUSH on to the next question. Ask
for clarification, even if you
saving your most risky or most personally revealing question(s) for the end, after you’ve ■ FAD (Focus, Accept, Draw out) ■ Make time for the interview, feel stupid.
don’t be in a rush.
established trust with your interview subject. Interviewer response to these questions should ■ Best done away from the pack ■ Build your story-telling quote ■ Accurate information is your most
important goal.
push the interview subject to reveal something of personal value, something emotional that ■ Leave wait time. Wait for one line at a time.
them to answer.
will better connect them to the reader of your story or caption.
“A QUOTE SHOULD BE SO GOOD THAT ONLY ONE PERSON
Remember: An interview can assist you with getting facts for the story, but quotes or sound COULD HAVE SAID IT.”
bites from your source should establish an emotional connection.
—CASEY NICHOLS, ROCKLIN HIGH SCHOOL ADVISER, CA
© 2018 by Jostens, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

134 SECTION 6.1 LISTENING 135