How closely do I stick to my list of questions? What do I do if the source is in a really bad mood? Do I record on my phone or take physical notes?
Even journalists who have done hundreds of interviews sometimes need a refresher on how to conduct an interview with a source. This is an illustrated version of a Poynter article written in 2015 by senior scholar Roy Peter Clark, on the 12 basics of interviewing, listening and note-taking.
Some bonus tips from the 2015 article:
- Ask one question at a time. This isn’t multiple choice.
- Ask open-ended questions, not ones that can be answered yes or no.
- Be patient. Don’t break the silence with a new question.
