Chapter 5 was interesting with giving ideas and tips that helped me organize my questions for my proposed pitch. Puting the more background and easier to ask questions first and then the main hard one for last. Talking about interviews and asking questions and such, remind me strangely enough of my dad who was very good at talking to people. And most of what Barbara Walsh says as tips to do in the chapter are things I remember him doing or telling me to do. “Ask people questions about themselves they are interested in”. As well as gathering details about the person makes it more relatable and sets the scene, making it realistic and giving the interview more that makes people interested in it and unique to the writing. It is conveying emotions of real people and real experiences. It’s showing empathy and what is going on through a lens. People like to read the story. I think saying what your angle is and what you are doing there is very good as well as to build a sense of who is this person asking me these questions and why. I think “listening for what isn’t being said” is also a good point in interviewing as well.
Chapter 5 in our course textbook covers interviewing techniques, beginning with a few key takeaways from long-time journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Barbra Walsh on interviewing. Echoing what we started to touch on in class, Walsh talks about how important it is not to dissuade the person you are interviewing by beginning with the most hard-hitting controversial question and instead making them feel heard and given a chance to provide their side of the story and then nearing the end to bring in those crucial questions. I also thought it was helpful to highlight the reality of how fast those interview moments can change and potentially kill a story and all the work you’ve done. Being active and observant seems like such a crucial skill in addition to the actual preparation and writing. Another essential element that this chapter on interviewing methods laid out was the importance of being a great listener – so often, we are consumed with whether or not we have the right question or if we will get enough information that we aren’t as present as we should be in the conversation at hand. Lastly, I found the section on follow-up questions to connect nicely with the important theme of being nonjudgemental, listening, and still maintaining control over the conversation, as you do have to produce something at the end of it all.
For journal 15 we are focusing on chapter five which is titled Interviewing Techniques. Which goes into detail on a number of different tips when it comes to conducting interviews. The first section of tips was listening tips, sharing some foundational concepts when it comes to listening during an interview. Following listening the next set of tips focuses on note taking tips. Then transitioning into interviewing tips. I found the most important tips from these three overlying concepts to be when it comes to interviewing: identify your focus, staying on topic is key when collecting information. An important tip when it comes to note taking is being sure to concentrate and balancing writing down good quotes and preparing to ask your next question. Circling back to listening tips in interviews being responsive such as maintaining good eye contact and engaging to pull more information to ensure an understanding of the information being shared with you.
I think one of the most important points of Chapter 5 was regarding the way you start an interview and how to eventually get the interviewee to answer your hard questions. You can’t start out with those harder questions, but instead have to let them talk or give them flattering questions and endear them to yourself before moving on to more sensitive questions. Another important point is being detail oriented, capturing the subtleties of the interviewee’s body language and appearance. I liked the tips on listening effectively and making yourself seem like someone that they’d like to talk to and getting the best information, such as critically thinking about the stuff they tell you, and listening for what they aren’t saying or their body language. I also enjoyed the tips for effectively writing notes, such as using shorthand and key words to get down important information quickly, asking if they could repeat their last statement, and verifying anything vital. I have had issues with writing while listening to people effectively, and while it seems challenging, I do think these tips will help me be more effective in this pursuit. I wonder how effective I’d be trying to make eye contact with the person and writing at the same time, however. I like the explanation of identifying goals and focus, planning your questions in advance, and researching the person’s background. I think I need to work on writing open-ended questions into my interview, as I feel like often I tend to focus on factual information. I like their listing of followup questions as well, and general advice on getting the best information possible.
Chapter 5 is helpful as we prepare for our profile project, and assisted me in refining my questions so that they were specific but still relevant and open-ended. Keeping in mind not to rely on anyone but myself and my own knowledge of the person that I’m interviewing is important—especially as my subject is somebody that is well-known throughout the university and the local industry. The “Listening Tips” section was especially helpful regarding retaining the information that I will obtain from my subject, particularly the section about being responsive and keeping the conversation going in order to get as much specific information as possible by creating a natural and comfortable environment. Knowing that my interview could go in a direction that’s different from what I intended will also be good to keep in mind, so I will be sure to be prepared to not ask every question that I wrote down.
Chapter 5 was interesting because it revealed a key part of journalism, which is patience. From a certain point of view in an interview you may just want to jump right to the heart and core of what you are hoping to write about and discuss, but often these hard hitting questions are not things that people always want to talk about. You have to give people the time they need to open up and feel more comfortable answering the tough real questions you want to know. Journalism also requires some trial and error, rephrasing things and coming at obstacles from different angles is key to getting people to open up, and in some cases, slip up, with the information you want to know. An Interview’s tone can change in an instant and so you need to be careful with what you discuss with a source, when you discuss it, and how you discuss it, tough topics are tough for a reason and they require a delicate balance of approach during an interview, and this chapter really highlighted what that entails and what it takes to strike that perfect balance to win a pulitzer prize.
This chapter is all about interviews and the processes that goes onto all different types of interviews. The book first goes into observations manly how you make observations into what could be a news story. It looks at the observations needed to be made in Hard news using both video and explanation throughout the news to get exactly what is needed. Then the book goes into how to gather details and how more details you have are better. It also goes I to the pros and cons of video tapping interviews where you can both capture exactly the information needed however people might say less because they know they are going to be recorded. It also talks about different tips during your interview to help get the best information needed as well as making sure you’re respecting the interviewee. Some of these tips include Being Responsive, blocking person intrusions and many others. The chapter also gives some note taking tips which include slowing pace, using key words and many others. More tips are given about the interview itself which include planning as well as many more.
I think I found Chapter 5 especially interesting because it covers such a crucial piece of journalism, and something that I personally consider the backbone of the industry. I think the chapter contained a lot of really useful information, and something that especially resonated with me was the advice about listening, as I think I can take something away from these tips for my future interviews. Moreover, I think that it’s especially important to notice the body language of the interviewee paired with what they’re saying (or not saying), as the body language can reveal a lot when paired with the information being shared. I also found the note taking tips useful, as, while they’re not as relevant for me personally because I record the interviews, they could definitely be useful in remembering things that an audio recording can’t give me. I think note-taking will be something that I need to practice, as it requires speed and relative precision, but I think it is a useful skill to invest time into. Overall, I found chapter 5 very helpful as we enter into this next project.
Chapter 5 in our reading was definitely interesting and insightful because the art of interviewing is going to be an important aspect when writing our profiles. In the reading Barbara Walsh discusses how important it is as the interviewer to not overwhelm your subject with hard hitting questions right away because you want your subject to be comfortable so that the answers flow smoothly and it doesn’t feel like you have to pry the answers out of them. I also liked how she mentions that doing this (rushing into the interview) could ruin the whole thing and I thought this was definitely insightful. I think it was also helpful to look at how quick as the reporter you can shift and change an interview based on what you ask and how you have to be able to pivot and make moves on the fly to be able to get the answers that you’re after. I also found the section on follow up questions informative because it allows you as the interviewer to still maintain control of the interview and are able to help the product that you’re ultimately making.
Interviewing skills are likely the most critical for a journalist to refine. This chapter provided useful insight into the methods and techniques of preparing for the interview and how to listen and adapt to the person you are interviewing. It is reassuring to know that beginning reporters may feel as though they are not knowledgeable enough, but this can work to our advantage in some instances. For my particular interview, the “so what” factor may be useful in gaining the most insight into Professor Brod’s book. What I found beneficial was the Multimedia Coach graphic discussing the interviewer’s role in asking open-ended questions to allow the subject to fill more space, and the potential for new and interesting information arising. Repeating questions can also be helpful when the interviewee evades or misinterprets the question. I have seen this technique in many job interviews before, where the question is repeated, but rephrased if necessary. There are copious amounts of skills and techniques reporters can use during and prior to interviewing their subjects, and all have their benefits to create a comfortable space for the person to provide useful and genuine responses.
One piece of this chapter that stood out to me was the part about the importance of observation. I had never considered that observation needs to be different based on the type of article being written, or the kind of situation being reported on, but depending on the situation, the details needed are very different. I would be curious to discuss this further in class and talk more about how to tell what needs to be highlighted based on different kinds of writing. I was also surprised as to how much goes into the active listening that a journalist has to practice. The ideas of letting a subject fully get to a point without helping them finish a sentence, and trying not to think in the future, are especially important to me, and would be things that I would need to practice.
What I learned form this article is to ask questions that trigger a long and fuffilling reponse. You do not want to rush into the hardcore and very personal questions first, bt you want to more so ease into it and gradually biold up to the questions. Another thing that you should look for is signs that your interviewee is communicating something without saying it, for example their facial expressions and overall body language. You should pay attention, to me giving an interview is like having an inciteful conversation with someone and you’re reporting on it. Finally, you have to play the role of the interrigator and ak the right questions in the right way in order to get the right questions answered.
This chapter reminded me a lot of what I learned in Intro to Communications during our mock interview and the beginning process of the interview for the Feature project. Some things that stood out to me in this chapter were the note-taking tips and listening tips. I like that it points out to be quiet and let the interviewee finish what they’re saying, it’s their words and stories and although you, conducting the interview, may be familiar with some of the information it could be incorrect or their words can add an unexpected spin to the story. When it comes to note-taking, you should have questions prepared which can help direct the interview. If you’re going to record the conversation you have to ask for consent, but can’t fully rely on the audio. It would take too much time to go through but it’s useful to refer to for exact quotes. During the Feature process, I used preconceived questions for my notes to prepare and a recording for the interview process to refer to for my drafting. Being prepared helped me organize my thoughts and direct the interview; my preplanned questions also helped direct the interaction to other details I didn’t think of. Lastly, I found the chapter’s suggestions for directing the interview helpful. Asking for definitions and summary questions aids in clarification, and saying things like ‘Tell me more about that’ can help add context and clarify questions in the interview.
Chapter 5 of our reading proved both captivating and enlightening as it delved into the intricate art of interviewing, a skill crucial for crafting compelling profiles. Barbara Walsh’s insights underscored the importance of establishing a comfortable rapport with interviewees, avoiding the immediate barrage of tough questions. This approach fosters a relaxed atmosphere, facilitating a smoother flow of dialogue and preventing the need to pry for answers. Walsh’s cautionary note on the perils of rushing into an interview resonated deeply, highlighting the potential to derail the entire process. Furthermore, the text illuminated the reporter’s agility in steering and adapting interviews on the fly, emphasizing the need for quick pivots to elicit desired responses. The discussion on follow-up questions was particularly enlightening, showcasing how they empower interviewers to maintain control while refining the narrative being crafted.
I like the fact that the journalist should be careful to hold the more heavy questions until after they’ve kinda softened the interviewee’s nerves a bit? In psychology last year, we talked about something called “foot-in-the-door persuasion,” where if you set someone up to be more comfortable, or if they have preexisting inclination to listen to you in some way, shape or form, it’ll be easier to talk to them and get something out of them. Basically, asking more gentle questions and building a more informal rapport before asking more difficult, hard-hitting questions will make the person more inclined to answer you. Police officers do this in interrogations, and I’d forgotten that that’s something that you could do until the article reminded me about it. I also appreciate the step-by-step listening tips the book provides, because I feel like my brain can sometimes go one hundred miles per hour and skip steps, forget questions, and forget what the other party is talking about because I’m nervous and uncoordinated when talking sometimes. I think having a set list or procedure to follow is really helpful to get better at interviewing. I especially like the “be flexible” portion, because I tend to stick too closely to certain criteria when interviewing (I’ve found so far), and it can inhibit my ability to get certain information that I didn’t even know I needed. I’ve gotten some of the best quotes after I’ve stopped talking and asking my questions. I also like the note taking tips, largely for the same reasons. I’ll get nervous, which makes me sloppy, which leads me to forget information and questions. It’s helpful when I can calm myself down and just treat it like a normal conversation. Another thing I love is the “dumb factor”. I hate appearing uninformed about certain topics, and enjoy preparing beforehand, but it kinda feels like a mute point when I’m going in to interview some expert (“expert”) witness and I already have preexisting facts or information that could contradict what they are going to say. It defeats the purpose of interviewing them or doing research at all. I appreciate the amount of detail the chapter goes into as to how not to offend the person you’re interviewing. I feel for more sensitive topics, it can be hard to beat around the bush for answers you really need for the paper, but patience and tact can really help you get the answers you need.
15 thoughts on “JOURNAL # 15”
Journal 15
Chapter 5 was interesting with giving ideas and tips that helped me organize my questions for my proposed pitch. Puting the more background and easier to ask questions first and then the main hard one for last. Talking about interviews and asking questions and such, remind me strangely enough of my dad who was very good at talking to people. And most of what Barbara Walsh says as tips to do in the chapter are things I remember him doing or telling me to do. “Ask people questions about themselves they are interested in”. As well as gathering details about the person makes it more relatable and sets the scene, making it realistic and giving the interview more that makes people interested in it and unique to the writing. It is conveying emotions of real people and real experiences. It’s showing empathy and what is going on through a lens. People like to read the story. I think saying what your angle is and what you are doing there is very good as well as to build a sense of who is this person asking me these questions and why. I think “listening for what isn’t being said” is also a good point in interviewing as well.
Chapter 5 in our course textbook covers interviewing techniques, beginning with a few key takeaways from long-time journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Barbra Walsh on interviewing. Echoing what we started to touch on in class, Walsh talks about how important it is not to dissuade the person you are interviewing by beginning with the most hard-hitting controversial question and instead making them feel heard and given a chance to provide their side of the story and then nearing the end to bring in those crucial questions. I also thought it was helpful to highlight the reality of how fast those interview moments can change and potentially kill a story and all the work you’ve done. Being active and observant seems like such a crucial skill in addition to the actual preparation and writing. Another essential element that this chapter on interviewing methods laid out was the importance of being a great listener – so often, we are consumed with whether or not we have the right question or if we will get enough information that we aren’t as present as we should be in the conversation at hand. Lastly, I found the section on follow-up questions to connect nicely with the important theme of being nonjudgemental, listening, and still maintaining control over the conversation, as you do have to produce something at the end of it all.
For journal 15 we are focusing on chapter five which is titled Interviewing Techniques. Which goes into detail on a number of different tips when it comes to conducting interviews. The first section of tips was listening tips, sharing some foundational concepts when it comes to listening during an interview. Following listening the next set of tips focuses on note taking tips. Then transitioning into interviewing tips. I found the most important tips from these three overlying concepts to be when it comes to interviewing: identify your focus, staying on topic is key when collecting information. An important tip when it comes to note taking is being sure to concentrate and balancing writing down good quotes and preparing to ask your next question. Circling back to listening tips in interviews being responsive such as maintaining good eye contact and engaging to pull more information to ensure an understanding of the information being shared with you.
I think one of the most important points of Chapter 5 was regarding the way you start an interview and how to eventually get the interviewee to answer your hard questions. You can’t start out with those harder questions, but instead have to let them talk or give them flattering questions and endear them to yourself before moving on to more sensitive questions. Another important point is being detail oriented, capturing the subtleties of the interviewee’s body language and appearance. I liked the tips on listening effectively and making yourself seem like someone that they’d like to talk to and getting the best information, such as critically thinking about the stuff they tell you, and listening for what they aren’t saying or their body language. I also enjoyed the tips for effectively writing notes, such as using shorthand and key words to get down important information quickly, asking if they could repeat their last statement, and verifying anything vital. I have had issues with writing while listening to people effectively, and while it seems challenging, I do think these tips will help me be more effective in this pursuit. I wonder how effective I’d be trying to make eye contact with the person and writing at the same time, however. I like the explanation of identifying goals and focus, planning your questions in advance, and researching the person’s background. I think I need to work on writing open-ended questions into my interview, as I feel like often I tend to focus on factual information. I like their listing of followup questions as well, and general advice on getting the best information possible.
Chapter 5 is helpful as we prepare for our profile project, and assisted me in refining my questions so that they were specific but still relevant and open-ended. Keeping in mind not to rely on anyone but myself and my own knowledge of the person that I’m interviewing is important—especially as my subject is somebody that is well-known throughout the university and the local industry. The “Listening Tips” section was especially helpful regarding retaining the information that I will obtain from my subject, particularly the section about being responsive and keeping the conversation going in order to get as much specific information as possible by creating a natural and comfortable environment. Knowing that my interview could go in a direction that’s different from what I intended will also be good to keep in mind, so I will be sure to be prepared to not ask every question that I wrote down.
Chapter 5 was interesting because it revealed a key part of journalism, which is patience. From a certain point of view in an interview you may just want to jump right to the heart and core of what you are hoping to write about and discuss, but often these hard hitting questions are not things that people always want to talk about. You have to give people the time they need to open up and feel more comfortable answering the tough real questions you want to know. Journalism also requires some trial and error, rephrasing things and coming at obstacles from different angles is key to getting people to open up, and in some cases, slip up, with the information you want to know. An Interview’s tone can change in an instant and so you need to be careful with what you discuss with a source, when you discuss it, and how you discuss it, tough topics are tough for a reason and they require a delicate balance of approach during an interview, and this chapter really highlighted what that entails and what it takes to strike that perfect balance to win a pulitzer prize.
This chapter is all about interviews and the processes that goes onto all different types of interviews. The book first goes into observations manly how you make observations into what could be a news story. It looks at the observations needed to be made in Hard news using both video and explanation throughout the news to get exactly what is needed. Then the book goes into how to gather details and how more details you have are better. It also goes I to the pros and cons of video tapping interviews where you can both capture exactly the information needed however people might say less because they know they are going to be recorded. It also talks about different tips during your interview to help get the best information needed as well as making sure you’re respecting the interviewee. Some of these tips include Being Responsive, blocking person intrusions and many others. The chapter also gives some note taking tips which include slowing pace, using key words and many others. More tips are given about the interview itself which include planning as well as many more.
I think I found Chapter 5 especially interesting because it covers such a crucial piece of journalism, and something that I personally consider the backbone of the industry. I think the chapter contained a lot of really useful information, and something that especially resonated with me was the advice about listening, as I think I can take something away from these tips for my future interviews. Moreover, I think that it’s especially important to notice the body language of the interviewee paired with what they’re saying (or not saying), as the body language can reveal a lot when paired with the information being shared. I also found the note taking tips useful, as, while they’re not as relevant for me personally because I record the interviews, they could definitely be useful in remembering things that an audio recording can’t give me. I think note-taking will be something that I need to practice, as it requires speed and relative precision, but I think it is a useful skill to invest time into. Overall, I found chapter 5 very helpful as we enter into this next project.
Chapter 5 in our reading was definitely interesting and insightful because the art of interviewing is going to be an important aspect when writing our profiles. In the reading Barbara Walsh discusses how important it is as the interviewer to not overwhelm your subject with hard hitting questions right away because you want your subject to be comfortable so that the answers flow smoothly and it doesn’t feel like you have to pry the answers out of them. I also liked how she mentions that doing this (rushing into the interview) could ruin the whole thing and I thought this was definitely insightful. I think it was also helpful to look at how quick as the reporter you can shift and change an interview based on what you ask and how you have to be able to pivot and make moves on the fly to be able to get the answers that you’re after. I also found the section on follow up questions informative because it allows you as the interviewer to still maintain control of the interview and are able to help the product that you’re ultimately making.
Interviewing skills are likely the most critical for a journalist to refine. This chapter provided useful insight into the methods and techniques of preparing for the interview and how to listen and adapt to the person you are interviewing. It is reassuring to know that beginning reporters may feel as though they are not knowledgeable enough, but this can work to our advantage in some instances. For my particular interview, the “so what” factor may be useful in gaining the most insight into Professor Brod’s book. What I found beneficial was the Multimedia Coach graphic discussing the interviewer’s role in asking open-ended questions to allow the subject to fill more space, and the potential for new and interesting information arising. Repeating questions can also be helpful when the interviewee evades or misinterprets the question. I have seen this technique in many job interviews before, where the question is repeated, but rephrased if necessary. There are copious amounts of skills and techniques reporters can use during and prior to interviewing their subjects, and all have their benefits to create a comfortable space for the person to provide useful and genuine responses.
One piece of this chapter that stood out to me was the part about the importance of observation. I had never considered that observation needs to be different based on the type of article being written, or the kind of situation being reported on, but depending on the situation, the details needed are very different. I would be curious to discuss this further in class and talk more about how to tell what needs to be highlighted based on different kinds of writing. I was also surprised as to how much goes into the active listening that a journalist has to practice. The ideas of letting a subject fully get to a point without helping them finish a sentence, and trying not to think in the future, are especially important to me, and would be things that I would need to practice.
What I learned form this article is to ask questions that trigger a long and fuffilling reponse. You do not want to rush into the hardcore and very personal questions first, bt you want to more so ease into it and gradually biold up to the questions. Another thing that you should look for is signs that your interviewee is communicating something without saying it, for example their facial expressions and overall body language. You should pay attention, to me giving an interview is like having an inciteful conversation with someone and you’re reporting on it. Finally, you have to play the role of the interrigator and ak the right questions in the right way in order to get the right questions answered.
This chapter reminded me a lot of what I learned in Intro to Communications during our mock interview and the beginning process of the interview for the Feature project. Some things that stood out to me in this chapter were the note-taking tips and listening tips. I like that it points out to be quiet and let the interviewee finish what they’re saying, it’s their words and stories and although you, conducting the interview, may be familiar with some of the information it could be incorrect or their words can add an unexpected spin to the story. When it comes to note-taking, you should have questions prepared which can help direct the interview. If you’re going to record the conversation you have to ask for consent, but can’t fully rely on the audio. It would take too much time to go through but it’s useful to refer to for exact quotes. During the Feature process, I used preconceived questions for my notes to prepare and a recording for the interview process to refer to for my drafting. Being prepared helped me organize my thoughts and direct the interview; my preplanned questions also helped direct the interaction to other details I didn’t think of. Lastly, I found the chapter’s suggestions for directing the interview helpful. Asking for definitions and summary questions aids in clarification, and saying things like ‘Tell me more about that’ can help add context and clarify questions in the interview.
Chapter 5 of our reading proved both captivating and enlightening as it delved into the intricate art of interviewing, a skill crucial for crafting compelling profiles. Barbara Walsh’s insights underscored the importance of establishing a comfortable rapport with interviewees, avoiding the immediate barrage of tough questions. This approach fosters a relaxed atmosphere, facilitating a smoother flow of dialogue and preventing the need to pry for answers. Walsh’s cautionary note on the perils of rushing into an interview resonated deeply, highlighting the potential to derail the entire process. Furthermore, the text illuminated the reporter’s agility in steering and adapting interviews on the fly, emphasizing the need for quick pivots to elicit desired responses. The discussion on follow-up questions was particularly enlightening, showcasing how they empower interviewers to maintain control while refining the narrative being crafted.
I like the fact that the journalist should be careful to hold the more heavy questions until after they’ve kinda softened the interviewee’s nerves a bit? In psychology last year, we talked about something called “foot-in-the-door persuasion,” where if you set someone up to be more comfortable, or if they have preexisting inclination to listen to you in some way, shape or form, it’ll be easier to talk to them and get something out of them. Basically, asking more gentle questions and building a more informal rapport before asking more difficult, hard-hitting questions will make the person more inclined to answer you. Police officers do this in interrogations, and I’d forgotten that that’s something that you could do until the article reminded me about it. I also appreciate the step-by-step listening tips the book provides, because I feel like my brain can sometimes go one hundred miles per hour and skip steps, forget questions, and forget what the other party is talking about because I’m nervous and uncoordinated when talking sometimes. I think having a set list or procedure to follow is really helpful to get better at interviewing. I especially like the “be flexible” portion, because I tend to stick too closely to certain criteria when interviewing (I’ve found so far), and it can inhibit my ability to get certain information that I didn’t even know I needed. I’ve gotten some of the best quotes after I’ve stopped talking and asking my questions. I also like the note taking tips, largely for the same reasons. I’ll get nervous, which makes me sloppy, which leads me to forget information and questions. It’s helpful when I can calm myself down and just treat it like a normal conversation. Another thing I love is the “dumb factor”. I hate appearing uninformed about certain topics, and enjoy preparing beforehand, but it kinda feels like a mute point when I’m going in to interview some expert (“expert”) witness and I already have preexisting facts or information that could contradict what they are going to say. It defeats the purpose of interviewing them or doing research at all. I appreciate the amount of detail the chapter goes into as to how not to offend the person you’re interviewing. I feel for more sensitive topics, it can be hard to beat around the bush for answers you really need for the paper, but patience and tact can really help you get the answers you need.