Brief summary of activity
This is an activity the participant will listen and discuss different interviewing styles, how to prepare interviews and ask questions.
Aim of the activity
The participant will learn on how to prepare interviews considering their interviewee, the objective of the interviews, and who to ask questions to obtain maximum information.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills of the need for technical preparations when facing an interview.
Experience and skills required
The trainer needs to be familiar with interviewing techniques and community radio ethos.
Infrastructure, setting, resources
Recordings showing good and bad examples.
Length
The group activity lasts about 30 minutes. However, with the trainer info, etc, it could last up to 2 hour.
Material
Portable recorder, playback equipment or laptop+ speakers.
How the activity should take place
Examples of good and bad interviews are played and discussed by the participants:
- How do they interviews sound?
- What is the interviewer style and what is the reaction of the interviewee?
- Is the interviewer asking questions or making statements?
- Are the questions clear?
Break the group in pairs, and ask them to prepare questions about each other hobbies. Give each pair a recorder and ask them to record their interviews. Remind them to use the 5 W+H approach. Listen back and feedback.
Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio
10 per trainer. (for vision impaired/blind or learner difficulties participants, 4 per trainer).
Variations
Before explaining the Open/close, 5 W + H, the What is in the Box activity can be used.
Tips for Trainers
Keep it simple. Try to keep the discussion on the interviews style, and not so much on the items being discussed.
Distribute interviewing handout.
Analysis and evaluation
Do participants understand the difference between open and close questions? You might ask them to interview each other only using open questions to ensure that they do.
Scheduling
After research, before studio and/or portable recorders.