This week we will begin with the process of interviewing subjects. This is a basic tool of journalists, regardless of who they work for and where they publish.
Sponge activity: answer the following questions:
1. What is the inverted pyramid? How long is it?
2. What type of questions are answered in an inverted pyramid opening? List all six if you can.
3. Why type of news story uses the inverted pyramid?
Interviewing for news stories works off the formula for the inverted pyramid You want to get detailed responses to the 5 W and the H questions. How can you get them?
An interview is a formal conversation between a reporter and a subject, where the reporter gets information for their story.
Be asking effective cue questions. These are questions which get your subject talking. What type of questions are those? Open ended questions, which surprisingly enough, work best when they open with who, what when, where, why and how.
When did you first think of becoming a musician?
Who do you trust the most in your family? Among your friends? Why?
What book or movie had the biggest impact on your life?
All of these questions get the subject to think and avoid the worst type of questions you can ask.
The leading question, or the dead end question, which gives you yes or no answers.
Do you think Obama is a good President?
Do you like Eastside High?
These types of questions get you one word answers and make it very hard for you as a reporter to flesh out your subject.
What you get in your interview are direct quotes from your subject.
Part II (20 minutes) Write a lead graf on this topic. Use an inverted pyramid structure.
In and Out Burger is opening a restaurant just off the corner of I-35 and Airport Boulevard. Their sign was unveiled over the weekend and the main building's structure is already half up. Their opening date is not clear as of today.
Research them online. Learn a little about the company history and their menu. See if you can find when they are opening their Austin location. Write your lead on their anticipated grand opening.
Part II -- Pair with a classmate. You are going to interview them for a story. Take 15 minutes and create a list of cue questions you want to ask them, which will give you the best opening and interview possible. List those cue questions on your blog.
Then for the next 15 minutes, interview each other. Write down your answers as accurately as possible.
Part III In the last 20 minutes of class, write a lead in inverted pyramid style about your subject. Remember to answer as many of the 5W and H questions as you can. Also, remember to write in objective style and to refer to your subject in the third person.