Interview notes: [Source name], [Date]
Before the interview
The interview
Story | |
Outlet or editor | |
What I need from it | |
When | |
Where | |
Recording |
The source
Name | |
Title and organization | |
Why them | |
Found via | |
Contact |
Questions · in the order you'll ask them
Is there anything I didn't ask that I should have?
Can you show me anything that backs this up: a document, a photo, an email?
Who else should I talk to?
How to order the questions
First, a warm-up: an easy, factual question they can answer at length.
Then the question only this person can answer: what they saw, did or decided.
Then open follow-ups: how, what happened next, walk me through it.
Then the hard question: once there's rapport, and well before time runs out.
Last, checks: spellings, ages, titles, numbers and dates.
End with the three closing questions already in the list; they often get the best material.
Before the first question
Said who I am, who I write for and what the story is about
Asked permission to record, and got it on the recording
Their name and title spelled back to them
Terms agreed:
If not named, described as:
What the terms mean
On the record: quote them, and name them by name and title.
Not for attribution: quote them, but identify them only by the description you agreed.
On background: use what they tell you, usually paraphrased, without naming them.
Off the record: don't use it at all; it only tells you what to confirm elsewhere.
Outlets and sources use these words differently, so agree what they mean, not just which one applies. Terms are set before something is said; changing them afterwards takes both of you agreeing.
During the interview · time-stamp anything you might quote
Off the record:
Scene and detail · for profiles, within the hour
After the interview
Quotes
Quote, exact words | Time | Checked |
Facts to check
Claim | Check it against | Status |
Follow-ups
Thank-you sent, saying I may call back to check facts
Documents they offered:
Questions to call back about:
People they suggested: