Writing for the Web and Interviewing

Today’s Class

• Writing for the Web• Interviewing Tips• Homework• Feedback Response

"I try to remember two things: First, if you don't ask, you don't find out; and second, the questions don't

do the damage. Only the answers do.”

- Sam Donaldson

Interviews

• Is a primary source of information

• Represents expert opinion– Be sure to vet your expert, if appropriate

Prepare!• Find a good location (could be on the phone)

• Learn the basics of the science behind your story BEFORE interviewing experts

• Prepare an interview guide

Interview Guide• Have twice as many questions as you think you will need

• Make questions open-ended• Try to make flow of questions conversational and natural

• Confirm contact information, title, name spelling, area of expertise, specialty, etc.

• Check terminology preferences of people being portrayed– For example: “People with dwarism,” “little people,” or “people of short stature”

Use open-ended questions.

• Encourage full, meaningful answers

• Are more objective and less leading

• Typically begin with “why” and “how” or phrases like, “tell me about”

Some Good Questions• Why do you care about this issue?

• What is your ideal solution/resolution?

• Tell me about the turning point, the moment when everything changed or catalyzed.

• How does this make you feel?

Change to Open-ended Questions

• Are you an expert on mammography?

• Do you support the new USPSTF mammography guidelines?

• Are you familiar with other guidelines?

Asking Questions• Don’t interrupt• Endure awkward silences• Revisit questions or topics that aren’t fully explored

Listen Well• Listen for potential quotes

– adds color through speakers’ lively wording– conveys expert views– shows how people feel

• Know what you want to get out of the interview– Background information– Re-enactment of an event

• Be alert for analogies that can clarify your explanations

• Be neutral, but show empathy when appropriate

Take Notes• Take good notes/record the interview– When note taking, try to discern chatter from content

– Keep taking notes even after interview is officially over, if appropriate

– Use inexpensive recording software•http://ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/

Closing an Interview• After the interview, chat for a bit– Leaves a good impression– Additional material may surface

• Ask for permission to contact interviewees if questions arise

• Set aside time to review notes and form rough draft

Activity• Using materials provided, write interview questions for a phone-based interview about cardiac resynchronization therapy for advanced heart failure

• Article objective is to educate readers about options that may improve quality of life for themselves or a loved one. – Physician expertise in these procedures is key.

• Include admin/housekeeping questions

Homework• No class March 24

• Writing assignment:– Revise your feature article based on classmate and

my feedback (due April 7)

• Reading assignment:– Thinking like a fact checker. S. Zielinski.

ScienceWriters. Spring 2010, p. 5.– Gastel ch. 11 pg. 219-235