How do you do this?

start with Background Research

What is the history of the topic?

Why is it
newsworthy
now?

Are there any documents available on this topic?

What does

the
reasonably
aware
reader

already
know


about
this topic?

Check The Vanguard website
for related stories





Use Esme Rabin,
the super-helpful school archivist
(erabin@bbns.org)

Identify your aims

What kind of information
are you hoping to collect?

Do you want facts?

Do you want reaction?

Do you want anecdotes?

Can you engage
the humanity in your source?

identify your key sources

The Expert

The Other Side

The Affected

The Authority
in Charge of Change

then RESEARCH EACH SOURCE

and Plan your questions

plan Closed-ended questions

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?

plan open-ended questions

• How does this work?
• Why does this matter?
• Tell me more...

Closed-ended questions
elicit brief, specific answers.

Open-ended questions
elicit emotion, elaboration,
and story product.

ask about history

Ask about developments

seek perspective

Your questions should be succinct

And singular

Directives Make excellent 'questions'

• Take me through...
• Tell me about...
• Describe...

hypothetical questions and yes-or-no questions

try the 'Goal' Method

G
(Goals)




What are you
or the program
trying to accomplish?

O
(Obstacles)





What specifically has been difficult
for you or the program
in attempting those goals?

A
(Achievements)




How have you
or the program
overcome any of those obstacles?

L
(Logistics)





What exactly did any of those achievements require?

you're ready with questions.

Request the interview

but how?

• State your name and purpose.
• Mention who suggested the contact.
• Identify how the source might be able to help you.
• Ask for time.
• Ask for other possible source names.

reply to the reply

• Thank the source.
• Confirm the appointment time and place.
• Suggest anything for the source to consider in the meantime.

Then
be on time.

And
don't
dress
like
this.

Or this.

What if you get no reply?

Follow up in person.

Follow up on the phone.

if those don't work...