ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD INTERVIEW I:Comments and Opinion, Topic must be specific

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ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD INTERVIEW II:Preparation of the Interview, Language >>

Radio News, Reporting and Production MCM515

LESSON 24

ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD INTERVIEW I

While conducting any kind of interview we have gone through, the interviewer must carry the following

points in his mind if he/she wishes to have a quality interview:

Objective to be achieved must be clear

It means "What is to be achieved?", either pure information or comments and opinions.

· Pure information. (accidents, disasters, floods)

Some examples of pure information oriented questions are as under:

What caused the fire?

What difficulties did the fire-fighters have?

What was the intensity of fire?

What is the new venture of top heroin?

Which song do you like most?

What is Pakistan's new education policy?

What incentives has Pakistan announced to allure foreign investors to invest in Pakistan?

· Comments and Opinion

Some examples of pure "comments and opinion" oriented questions are as under:

Why do we need a new dam?

What will be the reaction of the settlers over there?

What if new dams are not planned and constructed?

Why do you think Pakistan lost hockey champions trophy?

What do you suggest cricket players to maintain consistency in their performance?

Topic must be specific

The topic about which the reporter has to ask from the interviewer must be specific and narrowed down

otherwise the interview will not be well-focused and the listener and the interviewee will remain confused.

Possible topics regarding Education

· Primary Education

· Secondary Education

· High School Education

· Higher Education

· Masters Level

· Research Level

· Government's policy about Primary Education

· Budget Allocation

· Number of schools in Rural Areas / Urban Areas

Research

The most important factor a reporter needs to keep in mind is research. Interviewer must extend his/her

research to the following components of the interview:

Topic

To have adequate knowledge about the topic reporter may consult the following sources

Radio News, Reporting and Production MCM515

Newspapers

Magazines

Books

Experts

Interviewee

· Relatives/ friends must be contacted to get maximum and accurate knowledge about the

interviewee.

· Achievements/ distinctions/ publications of the interviewee must be known to the interviewer.

· Temperament/ Attitude of the interviewer must be known to the interviewer.

Preparation of the Interview

Questions

Good questions produce good answers. The questions must be able to get answers.

Types of questions

1. Questions demanding either YES or NO

These questions start with helping verbs. For instance:

Will you join the organization?

Do you think Pakistan will win the match?

Do you agree with the changes in the cast of the film?

2. Question words demanding names, places and timing

The questions that start with helping words:

Who asks name.

When asks timing.

Where asks location.

3. Questions words demanding Interpretation

What asks the nature of the incident.

Why asks the reason, the explanation.

How asks the way an incident took place.

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