How to Interview a Source for an Article

You have an article to write and, like most articles, this one requires you to interview at least one person. Maybe you need more information or clarification about the topic or simply seek quote-worthy material. Whatever the case, it's your job to properly interview your source. Basically, you need to gather as much knowledge as possible without making the source feel uncomfortable-and that always requires a certain process. You can't expect somebody to just freely give you all the answers you need. You have to be courteous, approachable, and professional. But how do you accomplish that? By putting these tips into practice. Here's how to interview a source for an article the right way:

Agree on a time and place: Know that it's always better to interview a source in person than over the phone (and email interviews should always be considered a last resort) because it's more personable. If possible, call your source at least a week in advance to set a date for the interview. Don't call the day before hope to meet with him/her and expect the person to be free. Chances are, the person has a job, school, a family, and/or a social life. When thinking of a time to meet, avoid setting an appointment before 10 a.m. or after about 8 p.m., as many people, depending on their schedules, may be tired before then and not be at their sharpest. Choose a public location whenever possible but try not to meet in someone's private home unless the story pertains to the person's home or the source wants to protect his/her identity. Always factor how long it will take you to travel to and from that location so you can plan your day accordingly. Also remember to call the person the day before or the day of the interview to confirm the time and place where you're meeting.

Prepare your questions: Try to find some sort of focus for you article and craft your questions based upon that focus. Depending on how important your source's knowledge is to the completion of your article, you may come up with any number of questions. Just remember that it's better to over-prepare than under-prepare in an interviewing situation. Come up with a few questions outside of your story's focus, as well, just in case your source is very terse or not as well-informed about the topic as you thought.

Gather your materials: Ideally, you would bring a notebook, a pen and pencil, a laptop, a digital camera, a digital recorder, and a release form for your source to sign (if required by your editor). Your notebook should be a convenient size; don't take anything too bulky. Your interview probably won't require a tome. Remember that pencil, unlike pen, won't smear in the rain but you'll need a pen if your source has to sign a release form. You can use the laptop for recording your interview, if you have an application like GarageBand, or you can use it for typing up your story at a nearby café once the interview's over. If your magazine or newspaper didn't provide you with a photographer, take at least a few publication quality pictures and then several to use as field notes. When you're writing the story, you might need a reminder of what someone or something looks like. Your digital recorder should supplement, not replace, pen and paper note-taking. You don't want to be without notes if your recorder breaks.

Dress up: You don't need to rent a tuxedo or pull out your old prom dress but don't head to the interview looking like a bum either. Wear conservative, khaki casual attire. Polos, sweaters, knee-length skirts, corduroys, dark jeans (without rips) are all examples of appropriate attire. Dirty T-shirts, sweatpants, and rotten sneakers are all examples of inappropriate attire. Make sure that you also look clean and smell good. That's not always easy with a reporter's hectic lifestyle. If you look presentable, your source is more likely to take you seriously and respect your time. Never underestimate the power of dry-cleaned clothes.

Introduce yourself: It's not enough to meet your source and launch directly into your interrogation. Be polite and friendly. Shake the person's hand, clearly state your name and the name of your publication, and make sure you pronounce your source's name correctly. Chit-chat for a little bit (but don't spend the rest of the afternoon discussing the weather, either). Ask the person how s/he is feeling or mention that you like the person's shirt. A quick exchange or compliment should suffice. Then briefly explain the focus of your story so the person understands what kind of information you're seeking.

Ask questions and take notes: This is the crux of your interview, in case you haven't figured it out. The source, depending on how quickly the person speaks and how well the person answers the question, really determines your pace. Don't proceed to the next question until you've gotten a satisfactory response. If the person says s/he doesn't know the answer or wish to discuss that matter, that's one thing; but usually when a person doesn't fully answer a reporter's question it's because they didn't understand the question to begin with or forgot exactly what the question was. Feel free to ask for clarification and repeat a question if necessary. It's not your job to make the source feel stupid. When you take notes, don't write every little thing down; paraphrase what the person says unless you hear a quote-worthy phrase or sentence. If you need someone to repeat something or talk a little louder or more slowly, don't be shy to ask.

Wrap-up: Take a picture or two for your records; it may not be the photo that appears in the newspaper or magazine but it's something you can refer to later when you write your story. Before you go, always ask if the source has anything to add. Some people are shy to do anything but answer a reporter's exact questions even if they're burning to disclose something else. Once your source has finished talking, thank him or her and shake hands. Confirm the source's contact information and tell him/her when you expect the story to be published.

Write your article: Start writing as soon as you can. If you have a laptop, begin punching out your lede in the taxi. This way, the details of the interview are still fresh in your mind. If you have questions, immediately contact your source, preferably by phone and email, not just one or the other. There's no need to set up a second interview unless this person is a very valuable source and the story's long and in-depth.