Constructing a Successful Interview

In the reading, it discussed the correct strategies of asking and responding to an interview in order to get as much out of it as possible. The reading referred to this as learning to ask and learning to listen during an interview. It explained the importance of structuralism and flexibly, the process of having predetermined questions before the interview and the ability to be flexible and follow your informant's lead. You always need to be aware and expect the unexpected.

There are two different kinds of questions to be asked during interviews, open and closed. Open questions are more conversational and let the informant know your interested in what they are saying which ultimately makes them more comfortable. Closed questions are questions that require a little research to be done allowing you to ask the right questions in the interview. The reading also talked about how to listen intently during an interview. Using body language (eye contact, no fiddling) and not interrupting while the informant is talking lets them know you are encouraging and acknowledging their responses and interested in what they are saying.

The reading also displayed a few examples of good interview questions and answers and how to change them to essay format, also known as oral histories. It explained how to balance the informants voice and the interviewer's descriptions. You want to use many details and keep yourself in the background, doing this will allow the informant to tell their story.