National History Day
Create Your Own History: How to Conduct an Interview

When you do research to get information for papers or projects you don't always have to spend time in a dark corner of a library pouring over books and papers. A more interesting and personal history project occurs when you get the information and perspective from someone who was affected by the event or who took part in the event. Personal stories make history come alive.

What's the best way to handle an interview? Here are some tips and ideas to make your interview—and your project—a success.

Preparation:

Schedule a time in advance. This gives everyone—including you—a chance to prepare.

Prepare a list of questions beforehand. Once the questions are ready, share them with the person you are interviewing. At the very least, give that person an idea of what you want to find out.

Dress nicely and neatly. People who are older will respect your efforts and open up more naturally to someone who cared enough to appear on time and well dressed.

The best, most accurate way to get information from an interview is by recording your conversation. Check out your tape recorder/player, microphone, tapes and batteries at least a few days before the interview. Then bring extra tapes and extra batteries. Don't always count on having an electrical outlet nearby! You can also ask a friend to videotape your interview, but this can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable. Whatever you decide, be sure to warn your subject ahead of time.

If you can't record the conversation, take along several pads and several pens. Writing notes is harder to do than use a recorder, because you really want to listen to what is being said and not just write all the time.

For the interview:

Interview in person rather than over the phone.

The first thing you say or write down is your name, the date, the place the interview is being conducted, and the name of the interviewee, and then describe what you'll be talking about.

If you must take notes, you may want to ask for a break so you can catch up. Accuracy is important.

Ask questions which encourage more than "yes" or "no" answers. The best questions will get facts, feelings, stories, and descriptions. Good starting questions are:

• what do you remember about...
• how did you feel when...
• what was it like...
• what did it look like to you...
• how did it change your life, your beliefs...

Show interest in your topic and your subject; someone is giving of their time and their memories to help you and it's only polite to pay close attention and to look like you are paying close attention. Listen carefully and with your whole body. This means that you are attentive to every word you're the person says. Doing this can help you capture phrases that may slip by but could be an important part of a great paper or project.

Make eye contact; don't just take notes all the time. This shows respect for the speaker and helps you develop a rapport which will insure a great interview.

If you want to help jog someone's memory, bring along old photographs or songs, or ask if the person you are interviewing has photographs that may be part of the topic. Other memory joggers include a phrase or name.

Use your prepared questions as a guideline, but if someone goes off in a different direction, follow it. This may bring up an area you hadn't considered but that could turn out to be important to your project.

Try to keep the interview to an hour or two. If you must, set up another date to ask additional questions.

Always ask if your subject can recommend someone else for you to interview.

When you are done, be sure to thank the person you interviewed.

The followup:

1. If you took notes, take a few minutes right after the interview to go over them while your memory is still fresh.

2. Do a transcript as soon as possible.

3. It's always best to send a thank-you note and do it as soon as possible after the interview.

4. Send the person you interviewed a copy of the transcript or a copy of whatever you write in which that person is quoted. Let them see the work before you share it with others. This will double your accuracy, and perhaps allow them a chance to add interesting details to improve the content and quality of your work.

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