TIps for Journalist: How to Conduct an Interview

And How to Write an Award Winning News Article

How To Be A Stellar Journalist: Master the Interview

When writing a news item or anything in the form of traditional journalistic, non-fictional style, the real life interviews with the individuals involved is quite possibly the most important step in the entire development and production of the article. Even more important, perhaps than the actual article writing process itself. It is the accounts and opinions of persons on the varying sides of the issue at hand that allow the final piece of writing to be accurate and objective. It is the journalist’s duty to remain detached from the matter at hand enough so as to not take a side and end up with a biased piece of writing. At the same time, though, the journalist must strive to obtain the truth as it stands and acknowledging that people do not always speak honestly to reporters, they must ask strategic questions to the appropriate relevant individuals so as to allow the truth to unravel itself.

The interviewing process can be quite challenging, but the journalist must remember that there is, for the most part, only one shot to get the story and when they are there, speaking to the interviewee in person, they must be on the ball. Thus, the journalist must be prepared before beginning the official interview. Whether the interview takes place over the phone or face-to-face, it is amazing how fast time seems to fly. The journalist will in most cases get a little less than a half hour from the person and if they are really lucky (and usually, if the interviewee wants publicity) they might get 45 minutes. It all depends on the nature of the story that is to be written. Either way, the journalist would be wise to plan a loose outline of questions to ask for a very short interview and also have backup extra bonus questions to ask if the time carries on longer. There are few things that indicate amateur status more blatantly in the world of Journalism than a reporter who runs out of things to say before the interviewee does.