Interviews (Reporting technique)

Principles

• Prepare with background on individual, subject matter.
• Establish relationship with source quickly.
• Opening question can be general to induce subject to talk freely.
• Have subject in mind.
• Move to your subject soon and ask talk-inducing questions.
• Be ready to move to another subject if interview suggests.
• Listen and watch attentively.
• Let the source talk.
• Ask short questions.
• Try to get around "no comment" response.
• Put notebook away if it impedes interview.

Practices

• Never debate or argue.
• Never make statements.
• Be cooperative.
• Note stress factors — frequent leg crossings, puttering with papers.
• Don't avoid tough, embarrassing questions if they are necessary.
• Do not accept retroactive off-the-record requests.
• Do not tamper with quotes, paraphrase if necessary.
• Avoid requests for anonymity whenever possible.