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The interview is the backbone of journalism—it's where stories come alive through human voices, where facts get confirmed or challenged, and where unexpected angles emerge. You're being tested not just on what questions to ask, but on the process that transforms a conversation into credible, compelling reporting. Understanding these techniques means grasping core journalistic principles: accuracy, fairness, source cultivation, and ethical responsibility.
Think of interviewing as a system with interconnected parts. Preparation shapes your questions, which influence rapport, which affects what sources reveal, which determines what you can verify and publish. When you study these techniques, don't just memorize a checklist—know which principle each technique serves and how they work together. That's what separates competent reporters from great ones.
The work you do before saying "hello" often determines whether an interview succeeds or fails. Preparation signals professionalism, builds source confidence, and prevents wasted time on easily researched facts.
Compare: Research vs. Question Preparation—both happen before the interview, but research builds your knowledge while question prep structures the conversation. Strong researchers who skip question prep often meander; prepared questions without research sound hollow.
Interviews aren't interrogations. The quality of information you receive directly correlates with the trust and comfort you establish. Sources who feel respected share more—and more honestly.
Compare: Rapport-building vs. Non-verbal observation—rapport is what you project, while observation is what you receive. Master interviewers do both simultaneously, adjusting their approach based on real-time feedback.
This is where journalism happens. The right question at the right moment can unlock an entire story; the wrong one can shut a source down permanently.
Compare: Open-ended questions vs. Follow-ups—open-ended questions launch topics, while follow-ups deepen them. If an FRQ asks about extracting detailed information, discuss how these techniques work together in a questioning sequence.
Great interviews mean nothing if you can't prove what was said or confirm it's true. Documentation protects both journalist and source; verification protects the public.
Compare: Documentation vs. Verification—documentation captures what was said, while verification confirms whether it's true. Both are essential, but they serve different functions in the reporting process.
These techniques aren't just best practices—they're ethical obligations that define professional journalism. Bias and confidentiality breaches don't just hurt individual stories; they erode public trust in journalism itself.
Compare: Objectivity vs. Confidentiality—objectivity governs how you handle information, while confidentiality governs how you protect sources. Both are ethical obligations, but objectivity serves the audience while confidentiality serves the source.
| Concept | Best Examples |
|---|---|
| Pre-interview preparation | Research your subject, Prepare strategic questions |
| Building trust | Establish rapport, Observe non-verbal cues |
| Information gathering | Open-ended questions, Follow-up questions, Active listening |
| Accuracy assurance | Document accurately, Verify and fact-check |
| Ethical practice | Maintain objectivity, Respect confidentiality |
| Real-time adaptation | Non-verbal observation, Follow-up questions, Active listening |
| Source protection | Respect confidentiality, Establish rapport |
| Quote quality | Open-ended questions, Active listening, Document accurately |
Which two techniques work together to ensure you capture accurate, usable quotes—and how does each contribute differently to that goal?
If a source's body language suddenly shifts during a sensitive question, which techniques should you deploy, and in what order?
Compare and contrast the ethical obligations involved in maintaining objectivity versus respecting confidentiality. How might they occasionally conflict?
An FRQ asks you to describe the complete process from interview preparation to published story. Which techniques belong to each phase, and what connects them?
A source says something surprising that contradicts your research. Which three techniques help you handle this moment effectively, and why does the sequence matter?