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→Before the Interview
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==Before the Interview== | ==Before the Interview== | ||
Once you have chosen one or more people to interview, you need to ask them if they are willing to be | |||
interviewed. Explain the purpose of your interview, and what you would like them to do. You could also explain | |||
what they will get from the interview, such as a tape recording and a transcription. If they agree to an interview, | |||
you can then follow these steps: | |||
Make an Appointment | |||
After you have decided whom to interview and that person has agreed to be interviewed, arrange a place where | |||
you will both feel comfortable and a time when you will not feel rushed. You want to find a place with minimal | |||
distractions in which to hold the interview. The interviewee’s home is often a good place; it may have mementos | |||
or other objects that will spark the individual’s memory. One or two hours is generally enough time for an | |||
initial interview. Some people will tire easily, however, especially those who are elderly or ill, and several shorter | |||
interviews may be more effective. | |||
Make a List of Questions to Ask | |||
The type of questions you ask at the beginning of the interview will establish a pattern for your entire interview, | |||
so you should plan carefully. The first question or two can be simple to set the interviewee at ease. But other early | |||
questions should get the interviewee talking. Once the person is talking, you should interrupt as little as possible. | |||
The flow of speech will often generate a series of memories that will build on each other. | |||
There are generally three kinds of questions you can ask. | |||
• Open-Ended Questions. Usually the most successful interview comes when the interviewee discusses whatever | |||
is most important to him or her. You can lead an interviewee to discuss interests by asking open-ended questions, | |||
such as “What are your fondest memories of your mother?” or “How did you meet your husband?” or “What was your | |||
greatest challenge as a child?” These questions require more than one or two words to answer and will encourage | |||
the interviewee to talk. See appendix B for a list of sample questions. | |||
• Direct Questions. A direct question evokes a short response, usually one or two words. Direct questions are | |||
appropriate if you seek specific information. For example, you might ask, “What year was Albert Smith born?” or | |||
“Who was his father?” This type of question can help you get good information, but it won’t generate the kinds of | |||
thoughts and memories that can come from an interview. They might be good introductory or concluding questions | |||
and they might help provide important contextual information, but a successful interview is usually built on openended | |||
questions. | |||
Even though the best interview arises from open-ended questions, you can make a list of direct questions you | |||
hope to have answered during the interview. Your interviewee may answer them without prompting during the | |||
course of the interview. If not, the last few minutes of an interview are a good time to ask a limited amount of | |||
direct questions. | |||
• Object-Based Questions. Photos, objects, and heirlooms can serve as an interesting basis for interview questions. | |||
For example, during your interview you might show a photo and ask what your interviewee knows about the people | |||
in the photo. | |||
Be sensitive about the questions you ask. If you know a certain subject will be upsetting to the interviewee, avoid | |||
that subject or approach it carefully. Broach the subject only after you have developed sufficient rapport. | |||
Arrange for Recording Equipment | |||
Expensive equipment is not required for oral history interviews. An inexpensive video or tape recorder and | |||
microphone are usually all you need. Test the equipment in advance to ensure that it works properly and that | |||
you know how to use it. High quality tapes will preserve your interview longer. You should also bring extra | |||
batteries or a power cord you can plug in the wall. | |||
==At the Interview== | ==At the Interview== | ||
==After the Interview== | ==After the Interview== | ||