interviewing tips

I had the pleasure of meeting two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Eric Nalder this weekend (he was conducting a workshop at the University of Oregon). He’s known for his ability to interview people and magically get them to talk on the record. His interviewing skills come from years of observation and personal experience. Plus, he tests techniques gleaned from other journalists, FBI agents, and lawyers. Here are a few of his tips (see them all here):

ASK AGAIN -- Sometimes it pays to interview a person two or three times on the same subject. One public official gave me four different and conflicting explanations for the trips he took at taxpayer expense.

REVIEW -- Go back over your notes with people. They will fill in gaps for you, and in doing so give you more information.

INNOVATE -- If an outrageous question comes to mind, ask it, even if it is terribly personal. There are no embarrassing questions, just embarrassing answers. Your chisel-like questions should chip away at all sides of an issue.

DRAIN THEM -- People aren't aware of how much they know. You must lead them through their memory. Visualize your subject as a bucket full of information and empty it.

HONESTY -- Don't pretend to be someone else and don't lie. You can certainly omit information, but the more you can reveal about the nature of your story, the more comfortable and helpful your subject will be.

BE THE DIRECTOR -- A great interview feels like a conversation but moves relentlessly toward the information you need. Keep control, but do so gently.

DON'T BE UNMOVABLE -- You may know what your story is about, but don't get stuck. A great interview will change your story.

KEEP IT GOING -- When the door is closing on your face, find common ground. "By the way, I notice you've got a poodle. I've got a poodle. Weird dogs. Just the other day . . ." As a person hangs up the phone, I quickly say I only want to explain what I am working on and they should at least know that. (They usually comment once they hear what I am doing). On one occasion I inadvertently repeated something that was inaccurate and a cop dragged out a report I wanted to see just so he could show me I was wrong. You've got to be quick, sincere, kind and courteous.

IT'S NO BIG DEAL -- Respond to the "I can't comment" by saying "You don't have to worry. Heck, you are just one of several people I've talked with. It's no big deal. Here's what I understand about the situation. Let's talk about this part a little bit . . . . (and then start talking about the information you want to confirm)." Notice that I avoid a debate over the reasons they don't want to talk with me. You'll lose that debate 9 times out of 10. Keep the conversation rolling.

HOW AND WHY -- When a person says something important, ask the key question: "How do you know that?" It sheds light on credibility, extracts more detail and is a door opener to other sources. Also, ask people why they do what they do, rather than just asking what they do.

SLOW MOTION -- When people reach the important part of a story, slow them down so you can get it in technicolor. Ask where they were standing, what they were doing, what they were wearing, what was the temperature and what were the noises around them? Then switch to the present tense, and ask questions like: What are you doing now? What is your friend saying? You and the interview subject will then re-enter the scene and walk through it together. If this fails, tell them it is not working. "I'm trying, but I just can't picture it yet. What did it feel like?" This is how you get a story, not a bunch of facts.

RESEARCH -- The best questions are informed questions. Whether you have five hours or five days, gather clippings and court records and talk to the subject's cohorts.

Comments

[Steve Portigal]

Awesome list. Thank you so much.

[Nicole]

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