It's true that the best interviews are like good conversations. That is, in most cases the interview should be a comfortable give-and-take session where you and the person you interview talk with each other, not at each other. Of course, if the interviewee is hostile or defensive, this may not be the case. But the three best things you can do to have a good interview are:
1) Prepare thoroughly by researching the topic and/or the person and list questions.
2) Take good notes and record the interview if possible.
3) Listen very attentively.
Being a good listener is the most important thing you can do. One of the biggest mistakes many inexperienced reporters make is worrying so much about what question to ask next, that they don't realize something important or unexpected that the interviewee has just said.
Here are a couple of short videos I would like you to watch. The first is some good advice about interviewing from network anchor Katie Couric. The second is from National Public Radio's Scott Simon.
There's an old saying in journalism: "Less is more."
Forget about the times you wrote as much as you could about something in order to impress the teacher or give your reader the impression that you really know what you're talking about. In journalism brevity is key. Hard news stories must be concise or you'll confuse and lose the reader. While feature stories allow writers to be more descriptive and more creative, that doesn't mean you should necessarily start writing a lot more. Right now we're focusing on short profiles so that means first do thorough reporting and interviewing, then pick the very best information to write your story. Don't give the reader all of the information. While your words may be sacred to you, you have to be able to cut what's not necessary and edit wordy phrases.
Think of it as fat-free writing.
Click on the links below to see three more examples of 300-word stories by Brady Dennnis, then comment on which you like the best and why.
Looking for a laugh
One minute and $123 dollars
As time goes by
I liked "Looking for a Laugh" the best. I liked it because it caught your attention right away. The first words to the story are "Nigel Davis". When the sentence started out that way, it made me (personally) want to know who Nigel Davis was. I asked myself "Why does the writer start out right away with this man's name?...is it because he is an important person?, I want to keep reading and find out." Also, I could sympathize with this man. I think in some way almost everyone can. He is someone who just wants to make people happy, but it's not paying off for him.
ReplyDeleteI liked watching the videos about tips on interviewing. It is nice to hear someone like Katie Couric tell simple tips about what she does for a living. She made it seem like anybody could do it.
"As time goes by" struck me the most because I could see Brady Dennis getting out of his car and talking to this farmer selling watermelon in the middle of nowhere. I vividly remember as a kid driving by strawberry sellers, and even now see people occasionally selling fruits and vegetables by the road, and I think it's mind-boggling to think of all the different lives and stories people have. I think Dennis' project is very cool and I would love to have that opportunity to find out the kind of stories that strangers have.
ReplyDelete"Time for another couple, another ceremony." "One minute and $123" was my favorite story because although hundreds, even thousands, of people get married and pass through those same doors every year, its fascinating to hear about each of their own personal stories and the events that led them to marriage.
ReplyDeleteKatie Couric supplied me with some nice interviewing tips. I definetly agree with her that you should let the interview flow and let it change direction if needed. Scott Simon really struck me when he said"talk to an audience the way you would talk to someone across the table" and to cut out all the wordy mumbo-jumbo.
As Time Goes By was my favorite because it was a story about one of those people you see but never know. It told his side of the story so beautifully and truthfully that you felt like you'd known the man for years. Each detail complimented the tone of the story and the quotes gave him a voice in his story. I think Dennis is an amazing writer to be able to capture people's tones and lives in 300 words.
ReplyDelete"One Minute and 123 Dollars" was my favorite because it shows that with every married couple there is a story,which is quite amazing if you look at all the couples that got their licenses there and try to imagine each persons story.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the phrase "Fat-free writing" That makes it so easy to remember, not to mention it actually makes total sense and is pretty cute.
ReplyDeleteI love Dannis' writing. 300 word stories is an interesting idea in istelf, but she writes them very fluidly nad beautifully.
I absolutely adored all of Brady Dennis' stories. They are fascinating and concise. My favorite piece would have to be "As Time Goes By" because it reminded me of my childhood, growing up in northern Michigan and camping in Canada and the U.P. every summer. I remember seeing all of the people selling their harvests, and thinking that that is something I would love to do. When he said that he planned to die under those trees, the sense of home really resonated with me.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite story was "Looking for a Laugh" because it took such a simple idea and used that idea as a theme for the whole article. It concentrated on a man who was not necessarily the most well-known person, but gave you a glimpse into his life. It was both interesting and entertaining and really caught my attention.
ReplyDeleteI loved Brady Dennis' thoughtful and well-written stories. All of them really grabbed my attention and made me want to know more, while still being satisfied. My favorite was "Looking for a Laugh."
ReplyDeleteI really liked " one minute and $123 dollars the most. The story makes it known that the couple is just one of many and that their story isn't that unique. Even though they are rather average and hundreds of other people will get married just like them, Brady Dennis writes about them in a way that makes them seem special and important and he helps the reader see how from their viewpoint, the day they get married is a very important event to be remembered. He draws the reader into two people's lives and helps show how something seemly insignificant can be monumental to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI really loved all of Brady Dennis' stories because they all had very prominent things that everyday people could relate to. If I had to pick one to be my favorite, it would probably be "As time goes by". I liked it the best because it goes deeper into the life of a common person who works on the side of the road. When driving out in the country, you often see these produce stands where average people are simply trying to make some money and often you pass them by. This story really made me want to stop at every produce stand I come to! Another thing that really struck me about this story is that I have driven down the very road that this farmer's stand is on. My grandparents live not too far from there so this makes me think that I have probably passed this man multiple times without knowing that this man had a story worth telling.
ReplyDeleteI learned a great deal of information about feature writing from reading this. I especially like that you referred to thinking of feature writing as fat-free writing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all of Brady Dennis' stories, but my favorite was "Looking for a Laugh". I found the interviewee's background and view on life interesting. I also like the line,"Nigel Davis slips into his car and heads home to the woman who loves him, even on the unfunny nights." I think that's a good way to end the piece, and leave the reader satisfied.
I liked "Looking for a Laugh" the best. It was the most interesting story to me. I liked the way he focused on the emotions this man was experiencing after performing and what his thoughts were as he took a private moment in the alley. This story was also very touching to me because this man faced so many obstacles yet still enjoyed bringing others a laugh and a light moment.
ReplyDeleteWatching the clips with tips for interviewing was helpful, too. These clips gave me good pointers from experienced journalists that I believe will help me with my writing and the way that I conduct interviews.
My favorite of Brady Dennis' articles was "One Minute and $123". It showed how these people get to hear all these different stories of love, and more importantly, share in the beautiful sacrament of marriage. All of Dennis' stories are inspiring and shows us that everyone has a story about their lie that is interesting and important. I thought "After the Sky Fell" was a fabulous story. Right away, Dennis pulled us in. His use of "because" at the beginning of each paragraph was very clever and it spiced up the story. I think this project is a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteWhile I enjoyed all of the short stories, I most enjoyed the story "As Time Goes By". I found it so interesting how so many people have seen that man but none of them every knew him. It really struck me.
ReplyDeleteI really liked as time goes by. Its a simple story about a mans life. It really captures what he does and in very interesting way. It is a simple topic made interesting. It is a very well written story
ReplyDeleteI disliked all the stories . . . No, seriously, this was my favorite blog so far-- The interviewing tips were priceless. When I coached I was interviewed many times and sometimes reporters would try to lead me with questions to the story they had already written in their heads. . . .Bad journalism. I think a good interviewer makes a person feel at ease. Recently a Newsprint reporter interviewed me made me feel as though we were just having a conversation. Under those circumstances you are less likely to get "spin. By the way, "As Time Goes By" was my favorite-- He captures the character so well, with such brevity.
ReplyDeleteI personally like the second story the best because it was well written, with a touching feeling to it. It actually gave the people's stories, and the main story to the article was interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what descriptive stories Brady Dennis can tell in such a short amount of time. Each story I read of his touches me in a different way. My favorite of the three above is "one minute and $123 dollars" because it pulls at your heartstrings on so many levels. Domingo and Adriana's love for each other touches your sentimental side while the fact that she is now choosing who to marry gives you a sense of excitement for her. However the fact that their wedding is such a small ordeal almost saddens you to know that they were just another face in the crowd of people who get married there every day.
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