📰Narrative Journalism Unit 9 – Interviewing Techniques

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the art and science of conducting effective interviews for narrative journalism
• Covers various types of interviews (in-person, phone, email) and their unique challenges and opportunities
• Explores the importance of thorough research and preparation before conducting interviews
• Emphasizes the role of active listening and follow-up questions in eliciting rich, detailed responses from interviewees
• Discusses ethical considerations journalists must navigate when conducting interviews and crafting narratives
• Provides strategies for turning raw interview material into compelling, well-structured narrative stories

Key Concepts and Terms

• Narrative journalism: A form of journalism that combines factual reporting with storytelling techniques to create engaging, immersive stories
• Open-ended questions: Questions that encourage interviewees to provide detailed, expansive answers rather than simple yes/no responses
• Background research: The process of gathering information about an interviewee and their context before conducting an interview
• Rapport: A sense of trust, comfort, and connection between interviewer and interviewee that facilitates open, honest communication
• Active listening: The practice of fully concentrating on and engaging with an interviewee's responses, both verbally and non-verbally
• Follow-up questions: Questions that build on an interviewee's initial response, seeking clarification, elaboration, or additional details
• Informed consent: The ethical principle of ensuring interviewees fully understand the purpose, potential risks, and intended use of their interview before agreeing to participate
• Narrative arc: The structure and progression of a story, typically involving exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

Types of Interviews

• In-person interviews: Face-to-face conversations that allow for non-verbal communication and a more personal connection
• Phone interviews: Interviews conducted remotely via telephone, often used when in-person meetings are not feasible
• Email interviews: Interviews conducted through written email exchanges, useful for gathering initial information or follow-up details
• Group interviews: Interviews with multiple participants at once, which can provide diverse perspectives and reveal group dynamics
• Expert interviews: Interviews with individuals who have specialized knowledge or experience related to the story's topic
• Adversarial interviews: Interviews with individuals who may be hostile, uncooperative, or have conflicting interests to the journalist's

Planning and Preparation

• Research the interviewee's background, expertise, and previous public statements or writings
• Develop a clear understanding of the story's angle and the role the interview will play in advancing the narrative
• Create a list of open-ended questions that cover key topics and encourage detailed, reflective responses
  • Organize questions in a logical sequence that builds on each other and allows for a natural flow of conversation
  • Leave room for flexibility and spontaneity based on the interviewee's responses
• Arrange a suitable time, location, and format for the interview, considering the interviewee's preferences and comfort level
• Test recording equipment and prepare backup methods to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted interview
• Review ethical guidelines and consider potential challenges or sensitive topics that may arise during the interview

Conducting the Interview

• Begin with a warm, friendly introduction that establishes rapport and puts the interviewee at ease
• Clearly explain the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and any relevant ethical considerations (informed consent, anonymity, etc.)
• Ask open-ended questions that invite detailed, thoughtful responses, avoiding yes/no questions or leading prompts
• Practice active listening by giving the interviewee your full attention, maintaining eye contact, and using non-verbal cues (nodding, smiling) to encourage elaboration
• Allow for moments of silence or pause, giving the interviewee space to reflect and gather their thoughts
• Take brief notes to capture key points, quotes, or follow-up questions, but avoid excessive writing that may disrupt the conversation's flow
• Be prepared to adapt your questions or approach based on the interviewee's responses, following interesting tangents or probing deeper into unexpected insights
• Conclude the interview by thanking the interviewee for their time and perspective, and discuss any next steps or follow-up plans

Active Listening and Follow-up Questions

• Focus fully on the interviewee's words, tone, and non-verbal cues, avoiding distractions or preconceived notions
• Show genuine interest and curiosity in the interviewee's experiences and perspectives
• Use follow-up questions to:
  • Clarify ambiguous or incomplete responses ("Can you elaborate on what you meant by...?")
  • Explore the emotions, motivations, or thought processes behind an interviewee's actions or decisions ("How did you feel when...?")
  • Probe for specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate a larger point ("Can you share a specific instance when...?")
  • Challenge inconsistencies or contradictions in an interviewee's account ("Earlier, you mentioned...but now you're saying...Can you help me understand this discrepancy?")
• Paraphrase or summarize the interviewee's responses to ensure accurate understanding and provide an opportunity for clarification
• Maintain a balance between guiding the conversation towards relevant topics and allowing the interviewee's unique perspective and experiences to shape the narrative

Ethical Considerations

• Obtain informed consent from interviewees, clearly explaining the purpose, format, and intended use of the interview
• Respect interviewees' rights to privacy, anonymity, and the option to decline answering specific questions or withdraw from the interview entirely
• Avoid deception or misrepresentation about the nature or scope of the story
• Strive for accuracy and fairness in representing interviewees' words and experiences
  • Provide context and balance, especially when dealing with sensitive or controversial topics
  • Give interviewees the opportunity to respond to any critical or contradictory information gathered from other sources
• Minimize harm to vulnerable interviewees (trauma survivors, minors, etc.) by prioritizing their well-being and using appropriate interview techniques
• Maintain professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of the story
• Be transparent about any limitations, biases, or uncertainties in the reporting process

Turning Interviews into Narratives

• Review interview transcripts, notes, and recordings to identify key themes, patterns, and compelling anecdotes
• Develop a clear, focused angle for the story that ties together the most relevant and impactful elements from the interviews
• Create a narrative outline that structures the story in a logical, engaging sequence (exposition, rising action, climax, resolution)
  • Use the outline to guide the selection and arrangement of quotes, scenes, and other narrative elements
• Craft vivid, descriptive scenes that bring the interviewees' experiences to life and immerse readers in the story
  • Incorporate sensory details, dialogue, and character development to create a rich, evocative narrative
• Use quotes strategically to advance the story, reveal character, and provide insight into the interviewees' perspectives and emotions
  • Balance direct quotes with paraphrased information and the journalist's own observations and analysis
• Provide necessary context and background information to help readers understand the significance of the interviewees' experiences
• Revise and refine the narrative, paying attention to pacing, transitions, and overall coherence and impact of the story
• Fact-check all information and quotes to ensure accuracy and credibility
• Consider the ethical implications of the narrative's framing and potential impact on the interviewees and their communities