Journalism

After you have your lead...

Sources:

• Public Records
• Telephone directories
• Maps
• Biographies
• Internet
• People

Preparing for the Interview:

• What do you want to find out?
• Who are you going to ask?
• Who knows the information you need?

What to do:

• Fact-gathering before interview
• Prepare questions
• Know the subject
• What is missing

Setting the interview:

• Time
• Length
• Return visits
• Neutral Place
• Recorder
• Note taking
• Photographer
• Professional attire

Questions:

• Open-Ended- Less than specific, questions that don't have a particular answer
• Close-Ended- a question with an exact answer

During the interview:

• Ask both kinds of questions
• Allow person to pause and think
• Control the flow but be flexible
• Takes notes-shorthanded

Ensuring Accuracy:

• TAke good notes
• Check facts at the end
• Observe reactions & gestures
• Ask follow up questions, in response
• "Is there anything I have not asked that I should?"

After the interview:

• "Thank you for you time..."