5.2 Interview preparation and execution

Interview Preparation

Interviews are the primary way journalists get firsthand accounts, expert insights, and compelling quotes. Without strong interview skills, even a great story idea falls flat because you won't have the material to back it up.

Preparation is what separates a productive interview from a wasted one. The work you do before sitting down with a source directly shapes the quality of information you walk away with.

Crafting Effective Interview Questions

Before writing a single question, nail down two things: the purpose of the interview and the angle of your story. Are you interviewing a school board member about a budget cut? A local business owner about a new zoning law? Knowing your angle tells you what information you actually need.

Research your subject and your source. Look into the interviewee's background, public statements, and previous interviews. Familiarize yourself with recent developments on the topic. This does two things: it helps you ask smarter questions, and it signals to your source that you're taking the conversation seriously.

Build your question list with these principles:

• Write open-ended questions using "how," "why," and "what" to draw out detailed responses. Instead of "Do you support the new policy?" try "What concerns do you have about the new policy?"
• Structure questions in a logical order. Start with easier, rapport-building questions ("Can you tell me about your role in..."), move into the core of your story, then progress to more sensitive or complex topics. End by giving the source a chance to add anything you haven't covered.
• Prepare follow-up questions based on answers you anticipate. If you expect the source to mention a controversy, have a question ready that digs into the specifics. You won't use all of these, but having them keeps you from freezing in the moment.

A good question list is a guide, not a script. You should be ready to go off-list when the conversation takes an interesting turn.

Active Listening for Elaboration

Strong interviewing isn't just about asking good questions. It's about hearing what your source actually says and responding to it in real time.

Show engagement through body language and verbal cues:

• Maintain eye contact, nod, and lean slightly forward. Avoid checking your phone or shuffling papers.
• Use brief verbal affirmations like "I see" or "go on" to keep the source talking without interrupting their train of thought.

Use what you hear to dig deeper:

• Repeat key phrases back to prompt elaboration. If a source says "we took an unconventional approach," ask "What do you mean by unconventional approach?"
• Ask for concrete examples when answers stay abstract: "Can you give me a specific instance where that policy affected someone?"
• Paraphrase what you've heard to confirm accuracy: "So what you're saying is the funding was cut before the program launched?" This also gives the source a chance to correct any misunderstanding.

Don't fear silence. When a source pauses, resist the urge to jump in with the next question. That pause often means they're thinking, and what comes next can be some of the most honest, unscripted material in the interview.

Interview Execution

Adapting Techniques for Diverse Sources

Not every interview calls for the same approach. Your tone, pacing, and style should shift depending on who you're talking to and what you're discussing.

• Match formality to the source. A sit-down with a government official or academic expert typically calls for a more formal, structured approach. A conversation with a local resident for a human interest story works better with a relaxed, conversational tone.
• Be sensitive to the topic. When covering personal or emotional subjects like health struggles or family loss, slow down and show empathy. If a source asks to keep something off the record, respect that boundary and clarify what "off the record" means for both of you before continuing.
• Adjust for the interview format. In-person interviews let you read body language and build rapport more naturally. Phone or video interviews require you to compensate with clearer verbal cues and more deliberate pacing, since you lose some of those nonverbal signals.
• Stay flexible. If a source reveals something unexpected or goes on an interesting tangent, follow it. Some of the best material comes from moments you didn't plan for.

Organization of Interview Data

Raw interview material is only useful if you can find and make sense of it later. Good organization habits save you hours when you sit down to write.

1. Record the interview using a smartphone or digital recorder, but always ask for consent first. Recording protects you on accuracy and lets you focus on listening instead of frantically scribbling.
2. Take notes during the interview even if you're recording. Jot down key quotes, facts, and your own observations (the source seemed nervous, paused a long time before answering). Use shorthand to keep pace with the conversation.
3. Transcribe as soon as possible after the interview ends. Details fade fast. Listen to the recording, type out the full conversation, and fill in any gaps in your handwritten notes.
4. Highlight the most relevant material. Identify quotes that directly support your story angle or reveal something new. Group related ideas by theme (economic impact, personal stories, policy details).
5. Create a clear filing system. Label notes and transcripts with the source name, topic, and date (e.g., "Garcia_SchoolBudget_04152023"). Store everything in a dedicated folder. For longer projects with multiple sources, a simple spreadsheet tracking who said what can be a lifesaver when you're pulling a story together on deadline.