Home > Just for Kids > Oral History > What Makes a Good Interview?

Checklist for a Successful Interview:

• Have your list of questions ready
• Bring photos or other items to prompt memories
• Be a good listener
• Write a letter inviting your interviewee to share their memories with you
• Politeness counts!

Being a good interviewer takes practice. Interviewing someone is like being a reporter for a newspaper; it is different than just having a conversation with someone.

• Plan out the questions youíll want to ask ahead of time, and have a list of questions handy to refer to.
• Donít worry if the interviewer stops speaking or pauses and there is silence. He/she may be thinking about what to say next, and you might hear a great story if you wait a few moments.

Sometimes using objects or photographs at the beginning of an interview can stimulate memories.

• If youíre interviewing a relative, these might be photos from your family, and you can ask them if they know the person or event that is shown in the photograph.
• If the interviewee isnít a relative, you could show them some of the books you found on the topic, or magazine clippings or photos.

Itís a skill to learn how to listen carefully. What does it mean to be a good listener?

• Keeping your attention focused on the interviewee.
• Showing the person you are listening by nodding your head, or smiling.
• Keeping the questions on track by asking follow-up questions such as, "and what did you do next?" or "and then what happened?"
• Asking questions that are clear and simpleódonít ask more than one piece of information within a question.
• Using the research you did on the topic to help you ask focused questions.
• Listening for how a memory made the interviewee feel, or ask him/her how an event made them feel.

You might encounter something you hadnít planned for:

• If you think the interviewee is getting off track, try not to interrupt them. Allow them to finish the point they are making, and politely try to redirect them back to the topic.
• Sometimes a person can become emotional when telling a story. Donít be afraid of the emotion. Be quiet for a few moments to give them time to compose themselves. Then, as a courtesy, you can ask if they wish to continue talking about the topic, or move to another question. Generally, the interviewer wonít end the interview, but will wish to continue.

Doing an oral history takes skill and sensitivity and tact. The following are important parts of the interview process, too:

• Be polite and courteous.
• Appreciate the intervieweeís time.
• Thank them for allowing you to interview them.
• Send a thank you note after the interview.