Asking the Right Questions
Module 1, Activity 2.2 - Interviewing
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Introduction:

One of the most important parts of being a reporter is researching the story you want to tell. Some of the most valuable resources are often people, so it is imperative that you learn to conduct an interview. In this lesson you will have the opportunity to determine the characteristics of a bad interview and those of a successful interview. As well, the you will work in partners to conduct your own interviews.

Activities:

Task One - Interviews
Your teacher will conduct two interviews of one of your classmates. You will watch the first interview and take notes on what you learn about your classmate, as well as use a checklist to evaluate the interviewer (your teacher).

After the first interview, you will write a paragraph about the event that your classmate is discussing.

Then, you will watch the second interview on the same subject and complete the checklist and the paragraph again.

Task Two - Discussion
Discuss the first interview - What things made it a bad interview? Why was it difficult to write an effective paragraph using your notes?
Discuss the second interview - Why were you able to learn more this time? What made it a good interview?

In partners, make a list of characteristics of a strong interviewer.

Task Three - Read a Researched Interview

Because the interview that you watched did not require research, it is important for you to look at and discuss an interview that did.

Find an interview transcript such as the interview between Prime Minister Paul Martin and Peter Mansbridge. To view this interview you will need to go to the Mansbridge - One on One website. Once you are there, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Program Archive Index. Look at the interview of Prime Minister Paul Martin with your partner and make a list of all the characteristics that make it a good interview.

After, discuss the questions that Mansbridge asks that are based in research and the significance of being prepared for an interview.

Task Five - Watch the video
Watch the video of a journalist discussing how to ask difficult questions.

Task Six - Conduct an Interview
With your partner, you will conduct an interview. Each partner must decide what he/she would like to be interviewed about. You may discuss your favorite childhood memory or you may choose to be interviewed about a club, extra-curricular, or other school appropriate topic.

Once you know the topic your partner has chosen, you must devise a list of 5-10 questions. Check your list of questions against the criteria for a good interview you made before you start the interview. Be sure to role paly all elements of the interview including introduction and at least two hard questions

At the end, you will hand-in your questions and the notes you took during the interview.