1. ask one question at a time.
2. ask specific questions-Who? What? Where? When? Why?
3. listen carefully—the interviewee's answers will lead you to more questions.
4. make brief notes to prompt yourself on questions you think of as you go along.
5. write down all proper names, places, companies, etc.
   Check the spelling of these names with the interviewee before you leave.
6. keep these notes with the tape through the transcribing stage.
7. give the interviewee time to think and finish his or her answer. Your silence sometimes will cause him or her to elaborate when he or she may be hesitant to do so otherwise.
8. save sensitive questions for last, after you've established a rapport with the interviewee.
9. keep a list of unfinished and under-elaborated topics if you plan a second interview; otherwise, ask them now.
10. have the interviewee sign a legal agreement, tape disposal form, and supplemental agreement on restrictions, if any.
11. thank the interviewee.

1. answer any question for the interviewee.
2. interrupt unless the interviewee is wandering far afield.
3. make personal remarks about yourself. A good interviewer doesn't shine on his or her tapes—the interviews do.
4. rush or push the interviewee to move along unless he or she is being repetitious or is tied up in a long, unrelated story.
5. neglect to ask about things with which you are personally acquainted. Everybody doesn't know every detail on a subject.
6. talk while changing the tape. You may miss a lot.
7. start and stop the recorder once you've begun.
8. worry about wasting tape.
9. extend the entire visit beyond 1 to 11/2 hours. Your interviewee may say he or she isn't tired, but you are.
10. challenge him or her; seldom is the person deliberately lying.
11. give room for restatement.
12. place more than one interview on a tape.

Other Aspects of Interviews to Consider

Watch an interview on the evening news, using the questions below. This will help prepare you for your interviews.

Technical arrangements:

1. What is the seating arrangement?
2. Where is the microphone?

Questions asked:

What evidence is there that the interviewer is well prepared?

Are the questions open-ended or do they require a single right answer?

Do the questions asked about work, special talents, or skills involve personal matters of lifestyle or belief?

Do you think the questions are controversial? Too personal? Too general?

Can you tell if the interviewer has a specific purpose in mind by the
kinds of questions asked?

Mood or tone:

Is the interviewer sympathetic to the person being interviewed or is the interviewer argumentative?

How does the interviewer handle silence?

Does the interviewer ask questions from what the interviewee says or is a prepared list of questions being followed?

Does the interviewee refuse to answer questions or give answers that do not pertain to the question?

If the answer above is yes, how does the interviewer respond?

What nonverbal expressions does the interviewer use to encourage or discourage responses?

Summary:

What makes a good interview?

What are the major differences between television interviews and the interviews you are planning?

Insight (winter, 1990), p.#4

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