One of the greatest things about journalism is that you write about many different topics and get to learn about so many new things. The way to do this is through research and interviews – the two most important tools for a journalist.
Research
Before you conduct an interview or write an article, you should always be knowledgeable about your topic. It is unlikely that you are going to be an expert on every single subject you ever have to write about, so at some point you will need to do some research. Some good ways to research:
the Internet – Most of the time, you can find everything that you need here. You’re not looking to write a report; you’re just looking for some good, reliable background knowledge.
books – Old school, yes, but they are still incredibly helpful.
interviews – There may be times when you have to conduct an interview with one person just in preparation for an interview with another. This may not take the form of a formal interview. It might just be asking a friend or a teacher who the head of a club and all the officers are.
Remember, research can be annoying, but it is still important. You don’t want to go to an interview or write an article and end up feeling unprepared because you don’t know something very basic about your topic.
Interviews
Interviews are a journalist’s #1 tool. Talking to people allows you to gain facts, feelings, perspective, and so much more.
To schedule an interview, simply find the person you need to interview, explain who you are and why you’d like to talk to them, and then find a mutually convenient time to sit down and talk.
Interviews can be really fun, if you are prepared. To prepare for an interview:
research before your interview
always have your questions prepared before you go to an interview
but still be flexible because your interviewee might answer one of your questions before you ask it, or even better, they’ll say something interesting that leads to a whole new set of questions
Other tips and info on interviewing:
use your interviews to answer the 5 W’s and H
this can help you brainstorm questions for the interview as well
always interview reliable and relevant sources
if you are writing an article on global warming, you might interview a science teacher
students are okay for most articles, but they do not qualify as experts
try to conduct multiple interviews
every story has multiple perspectives and it is your job to report them all
Basic Interview Tips:
A Checklist
Prepare ahead of time.
Write down questions, avoiding yes-no questions. Be pared with notebook and pencils. If bringing along a voice recorder, make sure it is free of space and has charged batteries.
Be on time.
Establish eye contact.
Be polite and friendly. Have self-confidence.
Conduct a quality interview.
Get permission to record before you begin. Ask good follow-up questions about why and how things happen. get the person's opinion and the reasons for it. Take notes even if you are recording.
Let your subject do most of the talking.
Remember who your audience is and keep in mind the type of story you are writing.
Write down quotations exactly.
Write down exact spellings of names and titles.
Say that you may need to follow up with a call or email or another interview.