The most useful questions in journalism

There are many different ways to try and collect information from subjects for an article; some good, and some bad.
A good way to conduct a useful interview is to avoid lengthy questions. The shorter the question-- the easier it is to understand, and the better, clearer answer you will recieve.
Also try to avoid cliches. This includes questions with obvious answers, such as asking a cancer patient, "how do you feel?"
Try a more open approach, by asking questions that you actually want to know the answer to. Start by asking them to recount the story, and make sure you go over it numerous times to make absolute sure that what they are telling you is fact.
Always question their knowledge and sources, and be sure that every question is open; i.e. it requires more than a one word response.
Try to keep them talking by dropping small words and sentences into the conversation, like, "and...?", and "what was that like?"
Another strong focus point is to try not to be intimidating. Appear warm and friendly, and treat them like they're your friend. If a subject is reluctant to talk, persuade them by reasurring them...your task is to gain their trust.
One of the easiest ways to get around this is to chat with them about other things, rather than the topic in question. Discuss the weather, their kids, and other trivial affairs, until they fell as if they know you enough to get into the real details.
And, of course, most importantly, take notes. Whether or not you do this openly, or in a sly fashion, let the subject know thats what you will be doing, and brief them on the interview beforehand.
Preperation is the key.

Interviewing Principles, Practices and Techniques

Print Media

• The most important principle is to tell the truth. Never over-exaggerate or alter facts and statements given to you by an interview subject.



• Your first loyalty is not to yourself, your paper, or your career advances, but rather to your citizens who have a right to be informed.



• Always be kind, polite and respectful. Never force information out of a subject. or ask rude and evasive questions with the intention to offend.



• Don't try and impress the subject with your outstanding knowledge on the subject; remember you are the one who needs to learn more. Having the subject think that they are informing or teaching you about something important will make them tell you more.



• Remember to always be confident, courteous and kind. If a subject senses that you are rude or unkind, they may not open up to you as much as you would like. Treat them like a friend, and you are guaranteed results.



• The information they tell you could make up the bulk of your story, so listen carefully and always ask follow up questions. Sometimes too much concentration on the set questions can lead you astray from interesting facts and figures, and important aspects of the story.



• Plan the structure of your story before you begin writing the questions. That way you know exactly what information you need to sustain your points.



• Using a microphone to interview people is also a better method than writing, because not passing to write things down leaves room for more questions, and keeps the subject talking. If this is the case, make sure your microphone is recording, and you a situated in an adequate position for good sound quality.

Internet

• If you are not bound by a company or writing firm, then a good site to establish your work is required. Try a blog, such as http://www.blogger.com/, or http://www.myspace.com/



• Internet blog sites are often more open to opinions and social and political commentary, so first of all an angle is needed. Be careful not to make misjudgements, daring claims or offensive statements. Publishing wrong or hurtful articles can land you in a lot of trouble, so don't forget your journalism ethics.



• The same as with Print Media, tell the truth, and collect as much information as possible from your subject. Don't criticise what they tell you during the interview, but rather wait until you write the article to express your opinions.



• If your article illustrates your own views, remember to post a link to your subject's contact information, in case the reader would like to research their side of the story.

Radio

• If you are conducting a live to air interview, make sure you prepare your subject beforehand. Let them know what, or what kind of, questions you are going to ask. There is nothing worse than a silent subject, or one that never shuts up.



• Never be afraid to cut into the answer. If the subject has been talking to long, or they are heading in a bad direction, the best way to prevent disaster is by simply cutting in with the next question. If this doesn't work, you can always resort to playing a song, advertisement, or simply turning off their microphone.



• If the interview is for use in an on-air story, make sure your recording equipment is adequate. The sound quality must be good enough for use over the radio; this means that it is clear, loud, and free from background distractions.



• Prepare your subject before the recording, and make sure they know that they must speak in a clear, confident voice. If a quotation is to be used on air, then it has to be easily heard and understood.

Television

• The first step to television interviewing is making sure that you have adequate equipment. This means a good quality camera, a computer, and, if possible, a microphone.

• Your subject should be located within close proximity to you, the camera and microphone, so that all picture and sound is transferred to the screen.

• Always remember to take note of the background, so that it doesn't distract too much from your interviewee. Also be sure that you are filming in a quiet location, so that the subject can be heard clearly

• Always prepare the subject, as to avoid on air stuff ups. Brief them on the questions, or hand them a written copy, and let them know to look straight at you or the camera and speak in a clear voice.

• Sometimes it is advisable to film your subject from the shoulders up, in case they are playing with their hands. Always take note of what you want your audience to see.

• Ask the questions while you are filming, so that you will know what the responses are to later on. Your voice can always be edited out later.

• Also pay attention to what the subject is wearing. Most would like to wear presentable clothing for an interview, but sometimes an outfit can reveal a lot about their character. It is also good for them to wear a certain uniform, for example if you are interviewing a police officer or school student

• Make sure the subject is seated, so that they don't fell compelled to move while standing up. Make them sit about 2 to 3 metres from the camera.

Questioning Skills

Don't let them bullshit you

Always ask for jargon to be explained. Beware of euphemisms, as all companies and institutions evolve phrases to alter and disguise reality to make situations sound better
In America, a nuclear power industry said that there was an "abnormal evolution" and an "energetic dis-assembly", when they really meant that there was an explosion at the plant.
Always remember to ask what certain euphemisms mean.

Listen to the answers

It is easy to be so concerned with rattling off the next question, or taking down the next answer, that you don't even notice what is being said.
You must always note the importance of what is being said.
A good example is when a French writer stated, "I have made love to 10 000 women", and the quote was published unquestionably. However, figures show that he would have to make new advances every single day for 65 years, no mean feat for a man of 73, who managed to write hundreds of books in his spare time.

Dare to ask the cheeky question

Providing you build up to it, there is much profit in asking a blunt and personal question. Take a risk, you may create an outburst.
Nellie Bly made a living out of asking these questions, and once found that a Philadelphian factory working woman found satisfaction from going out to bars at night and drinking with strangers, something which was unheard of at the time.

Stop people rambling

There is nothing more destructive than someone draining on and on and on about nonsense.
Try something that John Brady recommends; interrupt them with something trivial--the weather, for example.

Ask questions at the end

Go over your notes, facts and figures to clear things up with the subject.
The best method is to follow two steps:
1. Find holes, gaps and missing information you made need to define
2. See if you can squeeze some excess information out of the interviewee

Never make promises how stories will be treated

It is up to the editor to decide how the story will be treated. Tell the interview subject you are, "just a reporter", and give them your editors name and number.