Or maybe you didn’t

Or maybe you didn’t You asked for it … Jeanne Acton, ILPC/UIL Director – jacton@uiltexas.org The heart of good reporting is in the interview.

Your assignment… • You have 10 minutes to complete the task • Partner with someone (not a friend) • Ask them four to five questions • Switch • Write a brief story about the person — lead and at least one DIRECT quote • Write in third person • Short paragraphs (30-60 words) • Active voice

Debrief… • What was the experience like? • What worked? • What didn’t? • How could it have been better?

Types of interviews • news interview • feature/profile interview • survey/short interview

Bad interviewing gives you this … Many high school students and teachers have friends and loved ones who are either in Iraq or have been there. “My uncle went to Iraq in November,” senior Charlie Brown said. “He’s back now. He said it was really violent.” Science teacher Sandi Mink’s son is in Iraq. “It’s tough having your son in constant danger,” she said. Brown said he never wants to join the military. “It just seems too dangerous,” he said.

Good interviewing gives you this … Science teacher Sandi Mink gives her home phone number to all of her students. She wants to be available to students as they work on her physics assignments at home. But don’t bother calling at 8 p.m. on Thursday nights. That’s a sacred time for the Mink family. “That’s Jeff’s time,” she said. “Ever since he went to Iraq, my son Jeff calls home once a week at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. “He’s called almost every week since he’s been gone,” she said.

One Thursday in October, Jeff missed his weekly call. “I was sure he was dead,” Ms. Mink said. “I started crying and couldn’t stop. Finally at midnight, he called.” Jeff had been on a raid and couldn’t get away to make his weekly call. “Luckily, Jeff is a computer guy,” she said. “He works on the communications end of things and doesn’t see much action. But that night, he had to go on the raid to identify equipment.”

What is at the heart of a good interview? • A good subject • AND a good interviewer (that’s you)

Finding that good subject … • Find someone who has a story to tell • Find someone who is willing to talk • Find someone who has the time for an interview • Find someone who is telling the truth

Where do you find your subjects??? • Talk to students (not just your friends) • Talk to adults (teachers, counselors, etc) • Listen • Meet new friends • Go to club meetings, sporting events, etc.

Here’s a (news) story … It was his counselor’s words that finally hit home for Jamie Hersh, a third year freshman. “At the rate you’re going, you’ll be 27 years old before you graduate,” she told him. After three years in high school, Jamie managed to get only six credits, and none of them were core classes. “I just wasn’t into school,” Jamie said. “I hung out with my homeboys, and we chilled.” But his counselor’s words changed everything. Jamie started summer school and with his counselor made a plan to graduate. At the end of this summer, Jamie will be eight credits shy of graduation.

Here’s a story … “No problem,” he said. But there is a problem. Next year the school is changing from block scheduling back to a regular 7-period day. Jamie won’t be able to get his credits for graduation. “I can’t believe they are doing this,” Jamie said. “Everyone in my family was so excited about my graduation. I will have to go to summer school or come back the following year.”

When you can’t find a good subject … The school board voted to end block scheduling next year. Because of budget constraints, the district will resume the seven-period day in the fall of 2009. “We just can’t afford to have eight periods anymore,” superintendent Bill Boring said. “If the state changes the funding system, we may be able to bring back block scheduling in the future.”

No good subject here … Every teenager is faced with the question, “Do I want to use drugs?” Many say yes. But some say “no.” “I don’t do drugs,” said Carol Boring. “Drugs can hurt you.” Her best friend, Cathy Bland, agreed that drugs were harmful. “We learned in health class that they were addictive,” she said.

Here’s a (feature) story … It was the worst day of his life. Jeremy West had to explain to his 4-year-old sister that he was the one who stole her piggy bank. “I’ve done a lot that I am ashamed of, but that was the worst,” he said. “She had been saving for a pink huffy bike.” West took his sister’s $23 and bought crack cocaine. “When I told her, she just cried and said she wanted me to get better,” he said. And that is exactly what West is trying to do. West’s confession was part of his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. “I’ve been clean for six weeks now,” he said. “There is a long road ahead of me, but it’s a road worth walking.”

After you found the subject, prepare! • Be confident • Research what you can • Set up a time/place for interview • Write questions • Gather materials (paper, pens, tape recorder, etc)

Tips for interviewing • Interview away from friends. NEVER in a lunch room or hallway. Go to their space. • Know the issue. • Start with a conversation: Explain why you want to do the story. Thank them for their time. Talk about yourself for a minute or two to put them at ease. Build trust. • Start with the easier questions.

Tips for interviewing • Don’t be intimidated or afraid to ask certain questions. Feel free to share some of your concerns. • Focus on how and why questions (avoid yes/no questions). • Avoid “off the record” statements. • Don’t be afraid to veer off from your questions. • Notice everything. Observe.

Tips for interviewing • Don’t let them see your notes. • Ask tough questions last. • Have a conversation. • Control the interview.

Tips for interviewing • Don’t be afraid of emotions. • Be prepared to interview more than once. • Interview friends and family when appropriate. • Dig deep. • End interview with, “Anything I missed, anything you want to add?”

Notetaking • Do it. • Write the important quotes. • Develop a short-hand if possible. • Transcribe as quickly as possible. • Practice, practice, practice. • Take a tape recorder, if possible. • Verify notes (optional).

What goes wrong with interviewing? • Lack of preparation. • Missing materials. • Missed the angle. • Inappropriate dress. • Not listening. • Aimlessness. • Fear.

What goes wrong? • Bad notes • Lost control of interview • Reporter is late/misses interview • Friends tag along (either side) • Subject too dry

You should know… • Not every interview must go in the story. • Everyone doesn’t always tell the truth. FACT CHECK. • Sometimes people deny saying things after they see it in print. • Good interviewing skills take time to develop. • Interviewing well is not an easy job.

Your assignment … • Partner up with the same person again. • Take time to write a few questions. Look for an angle. • Interview them again. • Write the beginning of a new story – at least the lead and two quotes

Possible questions… • What has had the biggest impact on your life so far? • Describe one of the best moments of your life. • Why did you decide to take journalism? • Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How will you get there?

Possible questions… • Describe one of the toughest moments of your life. • What do you see as the biggest obstacle in your life so far?

Your assignment … • Share time. • What do we like? • What was better this time?

Or maybe you didn’t