How to Conduct a Proper Interview for a News Article
People in the news media realm have the ability to do what others cannot: accurately report the news while adding suspense, life and passion to the article. One way this is achieved is through a solid interview with sources. Without a productive interview, the information in the news article will be boring and unappealing to readers. Below are a few steps to help you achieve a proper, successful interview.
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Instructions
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Contact your source before the interview to remind her of the time, place and purpose of the interview.
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Arrive at the interview site at least 30 minutes prior to the interview to be sure of your surroundings and possible distractions.
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Make sure you have a notepad, writing utensils, a voice recorder, extra batteries and a camera.
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Research your source so that you know information about him or her or whatever the interview topic is about.
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Prepare at least 10 questions for the interview beforehand.
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Start the interview by asking the source a little bit about herself. Avoid questions that will result in a simple "yes" or "no" answer.
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Make sure you ask the source if there was anything else she would like to add to the interview before ending it. Thank her for the interview, and advise her that you may need to contact her again after you begin writing for clarification or more information.
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Tips & Warnings
Be polite when conducting the interview, but do not be afraid to ask tough questions. Good reporters ask the questions no one else will.
