Interview Tips

Introduce yourself. Tell your interviewees who you are, what you’re doing, and why.

Make them feel comfortable. Tell them this is informal, and you’re just trying to get a sense of the place. Tell them to be honest. Tell them that you don’t have to use their real name if that makes them uncomfortable.

Capture the conversation. You can either record the interview (we have limited recorders available via the Writing Program; see me if you’re interested) or jot down good notes. You will need actual QUOTES to incorporate into your essay, as well as paraphrasing and summarizing, so listen for good quotable phrases and make sure you get those down.

Ask BROAD, OPEN-ENDED questions. But also make it into a CONVERSATION. Offer your own two cents; TALK about the place. Don’t just bombard them with questions. Here are some possibilities:

Tell me about ... (your experience with /interest in /history with/feelings about / knowledge of, etc.) this place

What role has this place played in your life?

How do you think this place benefits the community? How does it not?

Is there anything problematic or controversial about this place?

Who goes to this place? Who doesn’t? Why?

What would Lexington be like without this place?

What would you change about this place?

How do you think this place illustrates something larger about our culture, or about community?

Etc. Brainstorm your own site-specific questions!!

Show your appreciation. Thank them for their time and honesty. You might also ask for contact info (email address) in case you have any follow-up questions. Give them your contact info as well so that they can let you know if they think of something else that might be useful for your investigation.

Write down impressions. Immediately after the interview, take some time to write down what you thought was most interesting / most important about the discussion. Note any other questions it raises for you. Take time to reflect.